1986 Houston Astros season


The 1986 Houston Astros season was the List of [Houston Astros seasons|25th season] for the Major League Baseball franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 22nd as the Astros, 25th in the National League, 18th in the NL West division, and 22nd at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season as having tied for third place in the NL West, with an 83–79 record and 12 games behind the division-champion Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers].
The 1986 season was the first for Hal Lanier as List of [Houston Astros managers|manager], the tenth in Astros' franchise history, succeeding Bob Lillis. On April 8, pitcher Nolan Ryan made his third List of Houston Astros [Opening Day starting pitchers|Opening Day start] for the Astros, who hosted the San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants] but were defeated, 8–3. During the 1986 [Major League Baseball draft|amateur draft], the Astros selected pitcher Ryan Bowen in the first round at 13th overall, outfielder Tuffy Rhodes in the third round, and outfielder Eric Anthony in the 34th round.
The Astros hosted the 1986 [Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star Game] at The Astrodome for the second time, and first time since 1968. Right fielder Kevin Bass, first baseman Glenn Davis, and pitchers Mike Scott and Dave Smith each represented the Astros at the All-Star Game and played for the National League. On August 27, Nolan Ryan earned his 250th career win.
On September 25, Scott hurled the eighth no-hitter in franchise history to lead a 2–0 win over the San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants], which simultaneously clinched the NL West division title. This was the first no-hitter thrown that secured a playoff spot in the major leagues since 1951. Scott led the National League in numerous categories, including a 2.22 earned run average, 306 strikeouts, 5.9 hits per nine innings, and innings pitched, among others, and posted an 18–10 record (pitching)|win–loss record].
The Astros concluded their regular season with a 96–66 record. For the third time in franchise history, Houston won the NL West division, also their third playoff appearance, all over the past seven seasons. At the time, the 96 wins set a new franchise record, surpassing their 93–69 mark in 1980, and stood until their first 100-win season in 1998. This was their final division title as members of the National League West and final playoff appearance until 1997. The Astros played the New York Mets season|New York Mets] in the National League Championship Series, only to be defeated 4 games to 2, while the Mets were the eventual World Series champions. Scott, who pitched two complete games and allowed just 1 run for an 0.50 ERA, became the first Most Valuable Player Award#National League winners|NLCS Most Valuable Player Award] winner of the losing team.
Following the season, Scott became the first-ever Cy Young Award winner for Houston, won The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year, Davis won his first career Silver Slugger Award, and Lanier was recognized as Manager of the Year by each of the Associated Press, and The [Sporting News Manager of the Year Award|The Sporting News].

Offseason

;Summary
On November 5, 1985, the Astros announced the hiring of Hal Lanier as manager for his first occasion to assume the role at the major league level, replacing Bob Lillis. Lanier was a former major league infielder and had subsequently coached in the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system, including winning The Sporting News Minor League Manager of the Year Award in 1980, prior to coaching for the Cardinals at the major league level. Lanier also announced that he would select New York Yankees Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra to the coaching staff. Other candidates that general manager Dick Wagner had considered included Joe Torre, Dave Bristol, Billy Gardner, and Jim Leyland.
Prior to the 1986 season, Sports Illustrated released a ranking of all major league teams and had assessed the Astros as the 22nd best team in the league.
;Transactions
  • November 13, 1985: Mike Richardt was released by the Astros.

    Regular season

Summary

April—May

The Astros hosted the San Francisco Giants for Opening Day on April 8, as power pitcher Nolan Ryan made his third Opening Day start for Houston. Top prospect Will Clark, a 1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Olympian] and Golden Spikes Award winner, made his major league debut for the Giants at first base on Opening Day. During his first plate appearance, Clark deposited the first offering from Ryan, a shoulder-high fastball, into the center field bleachers for his List of Major League Baseball players with a [home run in their first major league at bat|first major league home run]. The Astros rebounded in the bottom of the first. With Bill Doran aboard, Glenn Davis launched a home run off Giants right-hander Mike Krukow. In the second, Kevin Bass tripled and scored on Dickie Thon's squeeze bunt. Ryan recouped some vengeance on Clark in the third via a called third strike. Jeffrey Leonard took Ryan deep for a solo home run in the fourth, and during the following frame, San Francisco tied the score when Robby Thompson—also making his major-league debut—singled in José Uribe. Astros manager Hal Lanier, another debutante in his role, pulled Ryan after loading the bases in the top of the seventh, replacing him with Jeff Calhoun. Candy Maldonado greeted Calhoun with a bases-clearing triple, putting the Giants ahead to stay, 6–3. They scored twice more for an easy 8–3 triumph over Houston. Ryan took the loss with six runs surrendered over frames, while Krukow claimed the victory.
Craig Reynolds golfed his third career grand slam on April 12, and his only grand slam in capacity as a pinch hitter. The drive came in bottom of the sixth with the Astros trailing the Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves], 2–0. The blast supplied all the scoring to pave the way for a 4–3 Astros win and Nolan Ryan's first victory of the season. Ryan tossed seven innings with two runs, one earned, surrendered.
On his way to a 4–0 start to the season, on May 2, Bob Knepper led the club to a 6–1 victory over the Montreal Expos season|Montreal Expos], with six innings of one-run ball. Kevin Bass doubled, Reynolds tripled, and José Cruz collected two hits and two runs batted in. The Astros improved to 15–6.
After seven starts through May 4, starter Mike Scott had turned in a 3–2 win–loss record with a 4.03 earned run average. On the cusp of one the most dramatic career transformations and dominant pitching performances of the season, Scott, in his next start, surrendered just one earned run over seven innings to the Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]. This outing initiated an Astros-record 20 consecutive quality starts, which surpassed the 15 set by Don Wilson in 1971, and remained until passed by Framber Valdez on August 24, 2022.
Mike Scott struck out 10 on May 25, his first career contest yielding double-figures in strikeouts. Having surrendered six hits and four walks, Scott departed after eight frames with Houston and the Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs] tied, 1–1. In the top of the 11th, catcher Mark Bailey doubled home Phil Garner and Craig Reynolds off Lee Smith for the game-winning run. Charlie Kerfeld retired the Cubs in order in each of the ninth and tenth innings to earn the win, while Dave Smith tossed a perfect 11th for the save.

June—early July

On June 23, Glenn Davis hit a two-run, walk-off home run to complete a 7–6 comeback versus the Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds] in the bottom of the ninth inning. In the top of the ninth, Larry Andersen by proxy was the winning pitcher without a single batter faced; rather, on a wild pitch, the runner on third base sprinted home. Andersen tagged the runner out for the final out of the Reds' 9th inning at bat. The walk-off blast was the first of Davis' career.
During the month of June, Bass collected 37 hits, 5 doubles, 7 home runs, 15 RBI, 5 SB, 12 BB, and 20 runs scored for a slash line of.378 /.460 /.663 / 1.123. Hence, Bass was recognized as NL Player of the Month Award#1980 to 1989|Player of the Month], with the most recent Astro being teammate José Cruz in July 1984.
Kevin Bass cranked his first career grand slam on July 7 in the top of the ninth at Olympic Stadium, which all but erased a inning-ending, botched steal of home in the top of the second. Earlier in the frame, José Cruz doubled home Glenn Davis for the first run, and tripled and scored in the sixth. It was all Astros from there, as they went on to win 12–1 over the Montreal Expos. Davis swatted two home runs off Dennis Martinez, first a tie-breaking two-run blast in the third, and another for three runs in the fifth. It was Davis' second multi-home run game of the year and third total. Mike Scott cruised over seven smooth frames for the victory, his ninth of the year.

MLB All-Star Game at the Astrodome

The 1986 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 57th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League, the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 15, 1986, at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, the home of the Astros. The game resulted in the American League defeating the National League 3–2. AL starting pitcher and Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox] ace Roger Clemens, who later pitched for Houston from 2004 to 2006, was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award winner.
Four Astros were selected to the All-Star Game, including first baseman Glenn Davis, right fielder Kevin Bass, and pitchers Mike Scott and Dave Smith. The quartet matched the 1979 squad for most Astros selected to an All-Star Game, and in 1994, five players went to break the club record.

Later July—August

Having just made his first All-Star appearance, Kevin Bass opened a 20-game hitting streak starting July 22 and ending August 13. On July 24, Bass achieved his first career five-hit game. On August 5 and 11, he also realized 3-hit games. Bass hit safely in 31 of 81 at bats for a.383 batting average.
On July 22, one of the great pitching duels of Nolan Ryan's career transpired at the Astrodome. Ryan and Floyd Youmans traded nine-inning shutout masterpieces prior to transitioning to extra innings. Ryan struck out 14 Montreal Expos through nine, and led off of the tenth by issuing a base on balls to Tim Wallach. Next, he induced a fly ball from Wayne Krenchicki to center field. However, Ryan surrendered another walk to Mike Fitzgerald. After innings, Ryan had surrendered one hit with four bases on balls for an incredible game score of 95. Dave Smith was summonsed and got the final two outs, retiring Vance Law via the 15th punchout from Houston pitching. With none out in the bottom, Davis crushed his second walk-off home run of the season as Houston triumphed, 1–0. Also, during his career, Ryan pitched more contests to a game score of 90 or higher than any major leaguer, at 31. The next closest achievers were Walter Johnson and Randy Johnson at 20 each.
On August 8, José Cruz celebrated his 39th birthday by driving in his 1,000th career run, while Mike Scott tossed a shutout to lead a 5–0 blanking of the San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]. Cruz' two-run single capped a four-run sixth inning, while Scott tossed his third shutout of the season and ended the day leading the leading the league in earned run average and strikeouts.
During his August 13 start, Scott yielded 5 earned runs on 7 hits over 5 innings to the Los Angeles Dodgers, losing, 5–3. This problematic outing interrupted a then-club record of 20 successive quality starts. His performance was rated with a game score of 36, the lowest since May 4, which had received a score of 28. That May 4 start had also been his most recent non-quality start. In those 20 starts, Scott registered a 1.62 ERA over innings pitched, yielding a 1.74 fielding independent pitching rate, 9 home runs, 36 bases on balls and 174 strikeouts.

Nolan Ryan's 250th win

On August 27, Nolan Ryan suppressed the Cubs for one hit over six shutout innings to earn his 250th career win via a 7–1 score, prior to turning it over to Charlie Kerfeld. Phil Garner collected four hits while the Astros stole six bases. It was the second four-hit game of Garner's career, who scored a run and had two RBI. Though the Astros did not manage any extra-base hits, they totaled 11 hits, and every starting batter other than Ryan contributed either a hit or an RBI. Moreover, the team coaxed five bases on balls while striking out just three times.
Kerfeldt's three-inning effort yielded the Cubs' only run of the contest and five strikeouts for his sixth save. With Ryan's five punchouts, Astros pitching tallied 10 on the day.
Taking the loss for the Cubs was rookie Jamie Moyer—the fourth of his career—who like Ryan, would become illustrious for his longevity.

September

At Wrigley Field on September 3, Mike Scott whiffed four Cubs batters during the fifth inning an 8–2 win, among 12 strikeouts total. The four batters struck out in the same inning tied the major league record. He became the first Houston Astro to strike out more three batters in one inning, just the 12th National League pitcher and 18th major leaguer overall.
Billy Hatcher's two-run single on September 12 proved to be the game-winning hit in an Astros uprising over Padres, 5–3, capping a three-run ninth. Terry Puhl coaxed a bases-loaded walk from Goose Gossage that effected the tying run. Finally, Dave Smith converted his 30th save, the first Houston pitcher to attain this milestone. Seventeen years earlier in 1969, Fred Gladding amassed 29.
From September 23 to 25, the Astros' starting rotation put on display one of the great three-day pitching masterpieces in major league history. On September 23, Jim Deshaies set a major league record by commencing the game with 8 consecutive strikeouts of the Dodgers, which led a 4–0 shutout. The following day, Nolan Ryan silenced the bats of the San Francisco Giants via six innings of no-hit ball until a Mike Aldrete single halted the bid. Charlie Kerfeld took over for the ninth, and surrendered just one hit to polish off a second consecutive two-hit shutout to succeed Deshaies. Ryan hurled eight shutout innings with 12 strikeouts to lead the Astros' 6–0 win and clinch a tie of the NL West division crown. Meanwhile, Glenn Davis launched his 30th home run of the campaign, becoming just the second Astro to realize the milestone, and first since Jimmy Wynn in 1969.

Mike Scott's no-hitter

During the final contest of the Astros' three-day rotation masterpiece, on September 25, Mike Scott threw a no-hitter against the Giants to lead the Astros, which simultaneously clinched the National League West division title. The final score was 2–0 and Scott struck out 13 Giants batters. It was the first time in National League history and the second no-hitter thrown overall that clinched a playoff berth.
Scott's run support arrived via a solo home run from Denny Walling in the fifth inning, and an RBI single from José Cruz in the seventh inning.
At one point, Scott had retired 14 in a row. The only hitters to reach for San Francisco were Dan Gladden on a hit by pitch—leading the game off, Chili Davis—leading off the second inning, and Phil Ouellette, with the latter two reaching via bases on balls. Gladden and Davis both stole second base.
San Francisco's Will Clark grounded out to first baseman Glenn Davis for the final out of the contest.
Scott's no-hitter was the first to clinch either a division title or pennant outright. Allie Reynolds pitched a no-hitter on September 18, 1951, that clinched a tie for the American League pennant winners#Single table era (1901–1968)|American League pennant] for the New York Yankees season|New York Yankees] during the first game of a doubleheader, leading an 8–0 rout of the Boston Red Sox.
The eighth no-hitter in club history, it reprised the effort by Ryan on September 26, 1981, Houston's most recent. The most recent no-hitter thrown against San Francisco was on May 10, 1981, by Charlie Lea of the Montreal Expos. Houston next no-hitter occurred on September 8, 1993, by Darryl Kile.
Alan Ashby, Scott's batterymate, became the first Houston Astro to catch three no-hitters for the club. Ashby previously caught Ken Forsch's magnum opus on April 7, 1979, and Ryan's in 1981. At the time, this also had tied the major league record, previously executed 11 times, most recently by Jeff Torborg in 1973. Another of the 11 distinguished former receivers was Yogi Berra, on staff as a coach that year for the Astros.

October

The Astros played the Giants through extra innings on October 2. Despite Mike Scott's seven inning effort with eight strikeouts and just one run allowed, San Francisco maintained a 1–0 advantage. However, in the top of the ninth, Kevin Bass bolted home on a wild pitch to tie the score, 1–1. In the top of the tenth, Bill Doran smacked a solo shot for the go-ahead run, and the lead stood. Matt Keough earned the victory, while Dave Smith locked down the 2–1 lead in 10th for his 33rd save. Their 93rd victory of the season, this Astros edition tied their 1980 counterparts for most wins in a single season in club history.
For the portion of the season ensuing his May 4 start, Scott tossed a 15–8 record with a 1.87 ERA. Encompassing his final five starts, he struck out 55 and issued four bases on balls.

Performance overview

Closer Dave Smith recorded 33 saves, to establish the club record for one season and first with 30 or more. surpassing Fred Gladding's record of 29 amassed in 1969. This remained the club record until Doug Jones closed out 36 in 1993.
Mike Scott, who led the major leagues in numerous categories, including a 2.22 earned run average and 306 strikeouts, became the third Astros pitcher to lead the NL in ERA, following J. R. Richard and Ryan. Scott also joined Richard as the second Astros pitcher to lead the NL strikeouts for the third 300-strikeout season overall by an Astros pitcher. Hence, following J. R. Richard in 1979, Scott became the second Houston Astro to lead the league in two-thirds of the pitching Triple Crown.
Further, Scott was the major-league leader in hits per nine innings surrendered, marking the eighth instance in that an Astros hurler had led the league. He was preceded by Don Wilson, J. R. Richard and Nolan Ryan.
First baseman Glenn Davis won his first career Silver Slugger Award, the fourth overall in club history, and the first at the position.
Following the season, Mike Scott was recognized with the NL Cy Young Award to become the first Houston Astro to win this award. Moreover, Scott joined Niekro as the second Astro to be recognized as the The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

Game log

Regular season

Detailed records

MonthGamesWonLostWin %
April------
May------
June------
July------
August------
September------
October------
Total------

Postseason Game log

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C12031581.257738
1B158574152.26531101
2B145550152.276637
SS11431378.249641
3B130382119.3121358
LF141479133.2781072
CF127419108.258636
RF157591184.3112079

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
10731383.265941
10627869.248321
8117242.244314
5715327.176415
7011332.28317
379823.235113
849020.222210
448115.18516
265015.30016
15296.20702
17247.29213
6211.04801
9123.25000
662.33300

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO
37275.118102.22306
40258.017123.14143
30178.01283.34194
26144.01253.25128
942.2154.2220

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO
1254.1522.3240
1339.2124.0830
1035.0323.0925
927.2233.909

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLSVERASO
5456.047332.7346
6193.211272.5977
4578.03373.4644
3864.22112.7833
4140.11333.5727
1632.03107.5921
2026.21003.7114
88.10006.482
11.00009.000

National League Championship Series

Game 1

October 8
In Game 1, Scott allowed just 5 singles while reriting an LCS record-tying 14 batters via strikeout.

Game 2

October 9

Game 3

October 11

Game 4

October 12

Game 5

October 14

Game 6

October 15
Game 6 of the 1986 NLCS still ranks as one of the most memorable baseball games of the 1980s, if not baseball history. Played at The Astrodome, the game went 16 innings with the Mets coming out on top 7–6. It was the highest scoring game of the series; in fact, the 16th inning alone featured more runs than three of the previous five games had in their entirety.
The big story of Game 6 was that it was most nearly a must-win for both teams. The Astros obviously had to have it because they were facing elimination. Even though they were up 3–2 in the series, the Mets regarded it as a must-win because they were scheduled to face Mike Scott again in Game 7. Scott had given up a grand total of 1 run in his first two starts of the series, and had dominated the Mets so completely that even the most optimistic Mets fans knew their chances of beating him in a potential Game 7 were small. The end result was one of the greatest games in baseball history.
The Astros broke through first, and for a low scoring series like this, they broke through big, scoring three runs off a possibly tired Bob Ojeda in the bottom of the first. Ojeda settled down after that, however, and the Astros wouldn't score again for the next 12 innings. Meanwhile, Astros starter Bob Knepper was brilliant from the very first pitch, and the game headed to the 9th with Houston still seemingly comfortably ahead 3–0.
Just when it looked like the Mets would have to face the mighty Scott, however, their bats suddenly came to life. After pitching almost perfectly for the first eight innings, Knepper clearly tired in the 9th. Starting with a Lenny Dykstra lead off triple that barely evaded the glove of Hatcher in right center field, Knepper allowed three hits and recorded only one out, and left with the Astros clinging to a 3–2 lead.
The decision by Lanier not to bring in Smith to start the inning was talked about for years to come. Smith was firmly established as one of the best closers in the National League, but he had blown a save earlier in the series, taking both the blown save and the loss in Game 3 thanks to Dykstra's walkoff homer.
When Smith finally did appear, he was ineffective, walking two batters to load the bases and then allowing the tying run to score on a sacrifice fly by Ray Knight. In a matter of minutes, the previously raucous crowd of 45,718 had been almost completely silenced and extra innings had soon begun.
In the 14th, the Mets made their first bid to win. After Gary Carter opened with a single, a walk to Darryl Strawberry put two runners on with nobody out. After Knight forced Carter at third, Wally Backman drove a single to right. When Kevin Bass' throw to the plate sailed high over Alan Ashby's head to the screen, Strawberry scored. It looked like the end for the Astros, as Orosco came in to close them down.
With one out in the bottom of the 14th and the Houston fans with their heads in their hands, Billy Hatcher shocked everyone with a line drive home run off the left field foul pole. It was the first earned run allowed by the Mets bullpen in the entire series. Hatcher went 3 for 7 in the game, and his homer meant the Astros would be kept alive for at least one more inning. Both teams failed to score in the 15th, and the game went to the 16th inning, the most innings in playoff history at that time.
The 16th inning would be the deciding factor, and it was not an easy 16th for either pitching staff. The Mets appeared to take control of the game once again, this time coming up with 3 runs in the top half of the inning. The rally began with Strawberry receiving a gift double when Billy Hatcher and Bill Doran misplayed his towering fly ball with one out. When Knight followed with a single to right, a poor throw to the plate by Kevin Bass allowed the tiebreaking run to score, just as it had in the 14th. A walk, two wild pitches, and a single by Lenny Dykstra brought in two more runs, putting the Mets up 7–4. This sent some of the Houston faithful for the exits; those who stayed, however, almost witnessed the unthinkable.
Orosco struck out Craig Reynolds to open the inning, but a walk and two singles later, Houston had a run in and the tying run on base. Orosco induced Denny Walling to hit into a force play at second for the second out, but Glenn Davis singled home another run, bringing the Astros within a run. People everywhere were quiet as they watched Orosco face right fielder Kevin Bass with two outs and the tying run on second, and the winning run on first.
It was all up to Bass to drive in a run and tie the game. Orosco threw Bass six straight sliders; when Bass swung and missed the last of them, the epic series was over. Orosco was awarded the victory, marking the first time in postseason history a reliever won three games in a series. It would be a long winter for the Astros, but for the Mets, an even bigger trial awaited them. After taking two days off to recover from the exhausting series against Houston, the Mets began a legendary World Series against the Boston Red Sox, a series in which they would pull off one of the greatest comebacks of all time.
The Mets had won the series with a.189 batting average, the lowest average recorded by a winning team in a postseason series. Their pitching had been the key.
Scott's masterful performance in the series was, such that, in spite of pitching for the losing side, he was recognized with the NLCS Most Valuable Player Award, the first time in the 10-year history of the award history that a member of the losing team was so honored. Hence, Scott also became the first Astros player to receive a playoff award.

Awards and achievements

Grand slams

Awards

League leaders

;NL batting leaders
;NL pitching leaders
;NL fielding leaders
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Columbus