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Houston outlasts the Giants, 8-7, in 14 innings after blowing leads in 9th and 13th

1981 – Rafael Landestoy steals a base and scores on a single by Terry Puhl as Houston outlasts the Giants, 8-7, in 14 innings. The Astros blew a lead in the ninth then blew a three-run lead in the 13th before putting this one away. Houston tallies 21 hits in the effort, including three by Joe Niekro. 

Phillies beat the Astros to clinch World Series Apperance

Phillies beat the Astros to clinch World Series Apperance

1980 – Houston has a 5-2 lead and needs six outs to reach the World Series. Nolan Ryan is on the mound. Philadelphia surges back to win in ten innings, 8-7, and take the National League pennant before a drained Astrodome crowd. Manny Trillo’s triple caps a five-run Phillie rally but the Astros tie it on hits from Rafael Landestoy and Jose Cruz . Garry Maddox’s sinking double breaks the tie then he snares Enos Cabell’s fly to break Houston hearts. The ten-inning game is the fourth consecutive extra-inning game of the series.

Denny Walling delivers Rafael Landestoy with a sacrifice fly as Houston wins their first post-season home game, 1-0, over Philadelphia
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Denny Walling delivers Rafael Landestoy with a sacrifice fly as Houston wins their first post-season home game, 1-0, over Philadelphia

1980 – Denny Walling delivers Rafael Landestoy with a sacrifice fly as Houston wins their first post-season home game, 1-0, over Philadelphia . The Astros lead the best-of-five N.L.C.S., 2-1. Joe Morgan slams a Tug McGraw fastball high off the right field fence in the 11th inning for a triple and comes out for Landestoy. Joe Niekro blanks the Phils for ten innings before Dave Smith enters to get the win. 

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A head-first slide by Enos Cabell into first beats the throw of Ivan DeJesus allowing Rafael Landestoy to score the game-winner in a 6-5 triumph over the Cubs. Frank LaCorte comes in to fan Dave Kingman and nail down the save. Cesar Cedeno has two hits and two RBIs to pace the Houston attack. 

1980 – A head-first slide by Enos Cabell into first beats the throw of Ivan DeJesus allowing Rafael Landestoy to score the game-winner in a 6-5 triumph over the Cubs. Frank LaCorte comes in to fan Dave Kingman and nail down the save. Cesar Cedeno has two hits and two RBIs to pace the Houston attack. 

Cincinnati tops Houston lead NL West
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Cincinnati tops Houston lead NL West

1979 – Cincinnati overtakes Houston for the N.L. West lead during a tense 9-8 loss at Riverfront Stadium. It is the Astros’ first true pennant-race showdown. Both aces, Tom Seaver and J.R. Richard, start. They are long gone by the time Dave Concepcion and George Foster homer off Joe Sambito for the decisive runs. Rafael Landestoy goes 5-for-5 to pace Houston. 

J.R. Richard becomes the first righthander in National league history to reach 300 strikeouts during a 4-3 victory over Atlanta
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J.R. Richard becomes the first righthander in National league history to reach 300 strikeouts during a 4-3 victory over Atlanta

1978 – J.R. Richard becomes the first righthander in league history to reach 300 strikeouts during a 4-3 victory over Atlanta. He whiffs six to tally 303 for the season . J.R. also belts a homer off Larry McWilliams in the third. A double by Reggie Baldwinand a single by Rafael Landestoy in the seventh key the winning rally. 

Catcher Joe Ferguson is traded to the Dodgers for two players to be named later (outfielder Jeff Leonard and infielder Rafael Landestoy)

Catcher Joe Ferguson is traded to the Dodgers for two players to be named later (outfielder Jeff Leonard and infielder Rafael Landestoy)

1978 – Catcher Joe Ferguson is traded to the Dodgers for two players to be named later (outfielder Jeff Leonard and infielder Rafael Landestoy). On the field, the Astros split a twinbill against the Padres, winning 9-4 and losing 9-3. Wilbur Howard stars in the opener with three hits and three RBIs.