In an effort to replace Billy Wagner, who joined the Mets as a free agent earlier in the week, the Phillies sign right-hander Tom Gordon to be the team’s closer. The 38 year-old former Yankee set up man agrees to an $18 million, three-year deal to hurl for the City of Brotherly Love.

In an effort to replace Billy Wagner, who joined the Mets as a free agent earlier in the week, the Phillies sign right-hander Tom Gordon to be the team’s closer. The 38 year-old former Yankee set up man agrees to an $18 million, three-year deal to hurl for the City of Brotherly Love.

Craig Biggio blasts a dramatic three-run homer off ex-Astro Billy Wagner with two outs in the ninth to stun the Phillies, 8-6
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Craig Biggio blasts a dramatic three-run homer off ex-Astro Billy Wagner with two outs in the ninth to stun the Phillies, 8-6

2005 – Craig Biggio blasts a dramatic three-run homer off ex-Astro Billy Wagner with two outs in the ninth to stun the Phillies, 8-6. Lance Berkman and Mike Lamb had previously gone deep. It’s the second night in a row the Astros tag their former closer for the winning run, extending Houston’s mastery over Philadelphia to 12 straight, not having lost to them since May of 2003. The Astros maintain a one-game lead over Florida in the wild card chase. 

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2003 – Jose Vizcaino slaps a pinch-hit two-run single in the seventh to nip the Giants, 2-1. Billy Wagner sets a club record with his 44th save. The win moves the Astros within a half-game of division-leading Chicago but they split a four-game series with Milwaukee and miss the playoffs after leading the N.L. Central for most of the season. 

2003 – Jose Vizcaino slaps a pinch-hit two-run single in the seventh to nip the Giants, 2-1. Billy Wagner sets a club record with his 44th save. The win moves the Astros within a half-game of division-leading Chicago but they split a four-game series with Milwaukee and miss the playoffs after leading the N.L. Central for most of the season. 

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2003 – Craig Biggio singles home the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth, completing a five-run rally that stuns Colorado, 8-7. Four straight singles and a double by Orlando Merced set the stage for Biggio’s heroics. Billy Wagner is the surprise winner. 

2003 – Craig Biggio singles home the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth, completing a five-run rally that stuns Colorado, 8-7. Four straight singles and a double by Orlando Merced set the stage for Biggio’s heroics. Billy Wagner is the surprise winner. 

Signing a $27 million deal with the Houston Astros, Billy Wagner becomes one of the major leagues’ highest-paid relief pitchers. Wagner will get $8 million in each of the next three seasons with a $9 million club option for 2005 with a $3 million buyout clause.

Signing a $27 million deal with the Houston Astros, Billy Wagner becomes one of the major leagues’ highest-paid relief pitchers. Wagner will get $8 million in each of the next three seasons with a $9 million club option for 2005 with a $3 million buyout clause.

Signing a $27 million deal with the Houston Astros, Billy Wagner becomes one of the major leagues’ highest-paid relief pitchers. Wagner will get $8 million in each of the next three seasons with a $9 million club option for 2005 with a $3 million buyout clause.

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Vinny Castilla of the Houston Astros becomes the 13th player this season to hit three home runs in a game

In a day-night doubleheader, Vinny Castilla of the Houston Astros becomes the 13th player this season to hit three home runs in a game when he does it against Pittsburgh, but the Pirates still edge the Astros, 9 – 8, with an amazing comeback. Pittsburgh becomes only the second team in National League history to win a game by scoring seven runs starting with two outs and nobody on base in the 9th inning. Brian Giles caps the scoring with a walk-off grand slam off Astros ace closer Billy Wagner to win it. The Cubs did it, against the Reds, in the first game of a doubleheader on June 29, 1952.

Randy Johnson wins the N.L. Cy Young Award despite five fewer wins than runner-up Mike Hampton 
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Randy Johnson wins the N.L. Cy Young Award despite five fewer wins than runner-up Mike Hampton 

1999 – Randy Johnson wins the N.L. Cy Young Award despite five fewer wins than runner-up Mike Hampton who leads the circuit with 22. Astro teammates Jose Lima and Billy Wagner tie for fourth in the voting. 

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Billy Wagner is KO’d when Arizona’s Kelly Stinnett swats a line drive off the pitcher’s head

1998 – Billy Wagner is KO’d when Arizona’s Kelly Stinnett swats a line drive off the pitcher’s head . After Houston climbed back from a 7-1 deficit to take an 8-7 lead, a stunned Jay Powell must replace Wagner and gives up a game-tying double. Mike Magnante surrenders the game-winner in a 9-8, eleven-inning loss. Wagner would not return to action until August 9th.