On June 11, 1969 Roberto Clemente’s grand slam caps a sixth-run 6th inning which turns a three-run Pittsburgh deficit into a like-sized surplus, an advantage the Bucs will not relinquish. “It was a frustrating contest for the Spacemen,” muses Houston Post writer Joe Heiling, “what with four errors, ineffective relief work, poor defense and some lapses in running the bases. That doesn’t leave much to talk about, naturally, but the Astros did swing the bat – they collected 12 hits to the Bucs’ 15 – to win any ordinary game. But this one left the ordinary class after Clemente’s grand slam. The Astros had surged out front, 6 – 3, and you’d have thought the Astros were home free. But with one out, Jerry May and Freddie Patek put singles back to back and a walk to pinch-hitter Carl Taylor eventually jammed the sacks. Matty Alou beat out an infield hit for one run and rookie Richie Hebner walked to force in the run that made it 6 – 5. Which is a score that didn’t last very long. Like one pitch. Jack Billingham threw it and Clemente hit it – into the red mezzanine seats in left, just above the auxiliary scoreboard. Suddenly it was 9 – 6 and the Astros wore the look of losers.”