Major League Baseball team season
1981 Houston Astros |
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National League West Co-Champions |
League | National League |
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Division | West |
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Ballpark | Astrodome |
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City | Houston, Texas |
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Record | 61–49 (55.5%) |
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Divisional place | 3rd (first half); 1st (second half) |
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Owners | John McMullen |
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General managers | Al Rosen |
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Managers | Bill Virdon |
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Television | KRIV–TV 26 (Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker) |
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Radio | KENR–AM 1070 (Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker) |
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The 1981 Houston Astros season was the 20th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, Texas. The season was divided into two halves because of a players' strike in mid-season. The Astros won the National League West in the second half with a loss by the Cincinnati Reds on October 3, the penultimate day of the season.[1] The Astros advanced to the playoffs, which matched the winners of the two halves in a Division Series (the name would be re-introduced fourteen years later). However, they were defeated in five games by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.
Offseason
- December 4, 1980: Don Sutton was signed as a free agent by the Astros.[2]
- December 8, 1980: Chris Bourjos was traded by the San Francisco Giants with Bob Knepper to the Houston Astros for Enos Cabell.[3]
- March 27, 1981: Julio González was released by the Astros.[4]
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
1981 National League record Sources: [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] |
Team | ATL | CHC | CIN | HOU | LAD | MON | NYM | PHI | PIT | SD | SF | STL |
Atlanta | — | 3–2–1 | 6–5 | 4–8 | 7–7 | 3–7 | 3–3 | 4–5 | 2–3 | 9–6 | 5–7 | 4–3 |
Chicago | 2–3–1 | — | 1–5 | 1–6 | 6–4 | 4–7 | 5–8–1 | 2–10 | 4–10 | 3–3 | 5–5 | 5–4–1 |
Cincinnati | 5–6 | 5–1 | — | 8–4 | 8–8 | 5–4 | 7–3 | 5–2 | 4–2 | 10–2 | 9–5 | 0–5 |
Houston | 8–4 | 6–1 | 4–8 | — | 4–8 | 5–2 | 6–3 | 4–6 | 2–4 | 11–3 | 9–6 | 2–4 |
Los Angeles | 7–7 | 4–6 | 8–8 | 8–4 | — | 5–2 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 5–1 | 6–5 | 7–5 | 5–5 |
Montreal | 7–3 | 7–4 | 4–5 | 2–5 | 2–5 | — | 9–3 | 7–4 | 10–3 | 4–2 | 2–5 | 6–9 |
New York | 3–3 | 8–5–1 | 3–7 | 3–6 | 1–5 | 3–9 | — | 7–7 | 3–6–1 | 2–5 | 2–4 | 6–5 |
Philadelphia | 5-4 | 10–2 | 2–5 | 6–4 | 3–3 | 4–7 | 7–7 | — | 7–5 | 4–2 | 4–3 | 7–6 |
Pittsburgh | 3–2 | 10–4 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 1–5 | 3–10 | 6–3–1 | 5–7 | — | 6–4 | 3–7 | 3–8 |
San Diego | 6–9 | 3–3 | 2–10 | 3–11 | 5–6 | 2–4 | 5–2 | 2–4 | 4–6 | — | 6–7 | 3–7 |
San Francisco | 7–5 | 5–5 | 5–9 | 6–9 | 5–7 | 5–2 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 7–3 | 7–6 | — | 2–3 |
St. Louis | 3–4 | 4–5–1 | 5–0 | 4–2 | 5–5 | 9–6 | 5–6 | 6–7 | 8–3 | 7–3 | 3–2 | — |
Notable transactions
Nolan Ryan's 5th No-Hitter
On September 26, 1981, Nolan Ryan no-hit the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-0, on national television. The 34-year-old right-hander became the first pitcher to throw five career no-hitters.[10] It had been six years since Ryan's last no-hitter; he pitched for the California Angels for the last of four no-hitters.
Roster
1981 Houston Astros |
Roster |
Pitchers | | Catchers Infielders | | Outfielders | | Manager Coaches |
Game log
Regular season (First half)
1981 regular season game log: 28–29 (home: 14–14; away: 14–15) |
April: 7–12 (home: 4–9; away: 3–3) # | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Time of Game | Attendance | Record | Box/ Streak | 1 | April 9 | 3:05 p.m. CST | @ Dodgers | L 0–2 | Valenzuela (1–0) | Niekro (0–1) | – | 2:17 | 50,511 | 0–1 | L1 | 2 | April 11 | 9:05 p.m. CST | @ Dodgers | L 4–7 | Hooton (1–0) | Sutton (0–1) | – | 2:56 | 51,691 | 0–2 | L2 | 3 | April 12 | 3:05 p.m. CST | @ Dodgers | L 2–3 | Sutcliffe (1–0) | Ruhle (0–1) | Howe (1) | 2:16 | 50,734 | 0–3 | L3 | 4 | April 13 | 7:35 p.m. CST | Braves | L 1–2 (10) | Camp (1–0) | Sambito (0–1) | Bradford (1) | 2:57 | 34,961 | 0–4 | L4 | 5 | April 14 | 7:35 p.m. CST | Braves | W 8–2 | Niekro (1–1) | Walk (0–1) | – | 2:38 | 21,440 | 1–4 | W1 | 6 | April 15 | 7:35 p.m. CST | Braves | W 2–0 | Ryan (1–0) | Boggs (0–1) | LaCorte (1) | 2:00 | 22,365 | 2–4 | W2 | 7 | April 17 | 7:35 p.m. CST | Pirates | L 3–4 | Rhoden (2–0) | Sutton (0–2) | Romo (2) | 2:28 | 39,119 | 2–5 | L1 | 8 | April 18 | 12:50 p.m. CST | Pirates | L 3–6 (11) | Jackson (1–0) | Smith (0–1) | – | 3:06 | 29,790 | 2–6 | L2 | 9 | April 19 | 2:05 p.m. CST | Pirates | L 0–2 | Scurry (1–0) | Niekro (1–2) | Solomon (1) | 2:21 | 30,394 | 2–7 | L3 | 10 | April 20 | 7:35 p.m. CST | Dodgers | L 2–5 | Hooton (3–0) | Andújar (0–1) | Goltz (1) | 2:34 | 21,370 | 2–8 | L4 | 11 | April 21 | 7:35 p.m. CST | Dodgers | W 1–0 | Knepper (1–0) | Reuss (0–1) | – | 1:48 | 21,904 | 3–8 | W1 | 12 | April 22 | 6:05 p.m. CST | Dodgers | L 0–1 | Valenzuela (4–0) | Sutton (0–3) | – | 2:24 | 22,830 | 3–9 | L1 | 13 | April 23 | 7:35 p.m. CST | Reds | L 4–5 (10) | Price (1–0) | Smith (0–2) | Moskau (1) | 3:06 | 23,173 | 3–10 | L2 | 14 | April 24 | 7:35 p.m. CST | Reds | L 0–3 | Pastore (1–0) | Niekro (1–3) | – | 2:23 | 27,087 | 3–11 | L3 | 15 | April 25 | 12:50 p.m. CST | Reds | L 1–2 | Berenyi (2–0) | Ryan (1–1) | Hume (1) | 2:45 | 19,957 | 3–12 | L4 | 16 | April 26 | 2:05 p.m. CDT | Reds | W 1–0 | Knepper (2–0) | Soto (1–3) | – | 2:21 | 23,428 | 4–12 | W1 | 17 | April 28 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Braves | W 2–1 | Sutton (1–3) | Montefusco (1–2) | Smith (1) | 2:34 | 8,669 | 5–12 | W2 | 18 | April 29 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Braves | W 5–4 | LaCorte (1–0) | Camp (2–1) | – | 3:18 | 8,334 | 6–12 | W3 | 19 | April 30 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Braves | W 5–1 | Niekro (2–3) | Boggs (1–3) | – | 2:19 | 10,006 | 7–12 | W4 | |
May: 17–12 (home: 8–4; away: 9–8) # | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Time of Game | Attendance | Record | Box/ Streak | 20 | May 1 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Pirates | W 5–3 | Sambito (1–1) | Solomon (0–1) | – | 3:01 | 7,012 | 8–12 | W5 | 21 | May 2 | 6:05 p.m. CDT | @ Pirates | L 4–5 (12) | Solomon (1–1) | Smith (0–3) | – | 3:56 | 21,993 | 8–13 | L1 | 22 | May 3 | 12:35 p.m. CDT | @ Pirates | W 3–1 | Sutton (2–3) | Bibby (1–1) | Smith (2) | 3:15 | 10,438 | 9–13 | W1 | 23 | May 4 | 1:35 p.m. CDT | @ Cubs | W 5–4 | Andújar (1–1) | Krukow (1–2) | Sambito (1) | 3:02 | 2,941 | 10–13 | W2 | 24 | May 5 | 1:35 p.m. CDT | @ Cubs | W 4–3 | Smith (1–3) | Smith (0–2) | – | 2:41 | 2,092 | 11–13 | W3 | 25 | May 6 | 1:35 p.m. CDT | @ Cubs | L 1–2 (11) | Smith (1–2) | LaCorte (1–1) | – | 3:27 | 2,572 | 11–14 | W4 | 26 | May 7 | 1:35 p.m. CDT | @ Cubs | W 6–0 | Knepper (3–0) | Martz (1–1) | – | 2:40 | 3,112 | 12–14 | L1 | 27 | May 8 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Reds | L 0–4 | Seaver (3–1) | Sutton (2–4) | – | 2:21 | 31,961 | 12–15 | L1 | 28 | May 9 | 1:15 p.m. CDT | @ Reds | L 5–9 | Berenyi (3–1) | Andújar (1–2) | – | 2:38 | 30,860 | 12–16 | L2 | 29 | May 10 | 1:35 p.m. CDT | @ Reds | W 7–5 | Niekro (3–3) | Pastore (1–1) | LaCorte (2) | 2:44 | 31,903 | 13–16 | W1 | 30 | May 11 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Reds | W 5–0 | Ryan (2–1) | LaCoss (1–4) | – | 2:36 | 11,795 | 14–16 | W2 | 31 | May 12 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Cardinals | L 2–3 (10) | Sutter (1–1) | Sambito (1–2) | Kaat (2) | 2:26 | 20,020 | 13–17 | L1 | 32 | May 13 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Cardinals | W 3–0 | Sutton (3–4) | Shirley (4–1) | – | 2:24 | 21,705 | 14–17 | W1 | 33 | May 14 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Cardinals | L 6–7 | Otten (1–0) | Sambito (1–3) | Sutter (6) | 2:54 | 20,042 | 14–18 | L1 | 34 | May 15 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Cubs | W 5–0 | Niekro (4–3) | Caudill (0–3) | – | 2:16 | 23,718 | 16–18 | W1 | 35 | May 16 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Cubs | W 6–1 | Ryan (3–1) | Martz (1–2) | Sambito (2) | 2:48 | 43,726 | 17–18 | W2 | 36 | May 17 | 2:35 p.m. CDT | Cubs | W 6–1 | Knepper (4–0) | Krukow (1–4) | – | 2:34 | 34,068 | 18–18 | W3 | 37 | May 19 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | @ Cardinals | L 12–15 | Kaat (2–0) | Sprowl (0–1) | – | 3:03 | 14,585 | 18–19 | L1 | 38 | May 20 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | @ Cardinals | W 4–3 (11) | Niekro (5–3) | Sutter (1–2) | Sambito (3) | 2:47 | 19,175 | 19–19 | W1 | 39 | May 21 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | @ Cardinals | L 1–3 | Martin (1–0) | Ryan (3–2) | – | 2:13 | 19,823 | 19–20 | L1 | 40 | May 22 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Giants | L 3–6 (15) | Minton (2–2) | Andújar (1–3) | – | 4:38 | 30,377 | 19–21 | L2 | 41 | May 23 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Giants | W 5–3 | LaCorte (2–1) | Whitson (1–5) | – | 3:09 | 38,586 | 20–21 | W1 | 42 | May 24 | 5:00 p.m. CDT | Giants | L 1–2 | Blue (4–3) | Sutton (3–5) | Minton (9) | 2:26 | 34,922 | 20–22 | L1 | 43 | May 25 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Padres | W 6–3 | Niekro (6–3) | Mura (1–7) | Sambito (4) | 2:41 | 19,025 | 21–22 | W1 | 44 | May 26 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Padres | W 1–0 | Ryan (4–2) | Eichelberger (4–3) | Sambito (5) | 2:23 | 17,709 | 22–22 | W2 | 45 | May 27 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Padres | W 1–0 | Knepper (5–0) | Welsh (2–3) | – | 1:50 | 21,256 | 23–22 | W3 | 46 | May 29 | 9:35 p.m. CDT | @ Giants | L 1–3 | Blue (5–3) | Sutton (3–6) | Holland (2) | 2:22 | 8,397 | 23–23 | L1 | 47 | May 30 | 3:05 p.m. CDT | @ Giants | W 9–8 (14) | Andújar (2–3) | Breining (1–1) | Ruhle (1) | 4:33 | 8,869 | 24–23 | W1 | 48 | May 31 | 3:05 p.m. CDT | @ Giants | L 1–6 | Griffin (4–3) | Ryan (4–3) | Holland (3) | 2:34 | 20,626 | 24–24 | L1 | |
June: 4–5 (home: 2–1; away: 2–4) |
Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Astros team member |
Regular season (games canceled by the 1981 Major League Baseball strike)
1981 regular season game log |
# | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Time of Game | Attendance | Record | Box/ Streak | – | June 12 | | @ Mets | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 13 | | @ Mets | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 14 | | @ Mets | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 15 | | @ Expos | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 16 | | @ Expos | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 17 | | Phillies | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 18 | | Phillies | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 19 | | Expos | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 20 | | Expos | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 21 | | Expos | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 23 | | @ Pirates | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 24 | | @ Pirates | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 25 | | @ Pirates | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 26 | | Dodgers | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 27 | | Dodgers | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 28 | | Dodgers | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 29 | | Reds | Canceled (Strike) | – | June 30 | | Reds | Canceled (Strike) | |
# | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Time of Game | Attendance | Record | Box/ Streak | – | July 1 | | Reds | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 3 | | @ Braves | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 4 | | @ Braves | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 5 | | @ Braves | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 7 | | @ Dodgers | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 8 | | @ Dodgers | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 9 | | @ Dodgers | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 10 | | Braves | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 11 | | Braves | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 12 | | Braves | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 16 | | @ Reds | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 17 | | @ Reds | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 18 | | @ Reds | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 19 | | @ Cubs | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 20 | | @ Cubs | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 21 | | Pirates | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 22 | | Pirates | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 23 | | Pirates | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 24 | | Cardinals | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 25 | | Cardinals | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 26 | | Cardinals | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 27 | | Cubs | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 28 | | Cubs | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 29 | | Cubs | Canceled (Strike) | – | July 31 | | @ Cardinals | Canceled (Strike) | |
# | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Time of Game | Attendance | Record | Box/ Streak | – | August 1 | | @ Cardinals | Canceled (Strike) | – | August 2 | | @ Cardinals | Canceled (Strike) | – | August 3 | | Giants | Canceled (Strike) | – | August 4 | | Giants | Canceled (Strike) | – | August 5 | | Giants | Canceled (Strike) | – | August 7 | | Padres | Canceled (Strike) | – | August 8 | | Padres | Canceled (Strike) | – | August 9 | | Padres | Canceled (Strike) | |
Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Astros team member |
Regular season (Second half)
1981 regular season game log: 33–20 (home: 17–6; away: 16–14) |
August: 13–8 (home: 7–1; away: 6–7) # | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Time of Game | Attendance | Record | Box/ Streak | 52nd All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio | 1 {58) | August 10 | 9:35 p.m. CDT | @ Giants | W 6–5 | Sambito (2–3) | Breining (2–2) | LaCorte (3) | 3:08 | 11,115 | 1–0 (29–29) | W1 | 2 (59) | August 11 | 9:35 p.m. CDT | @ Giants | L 2–3 | Griffin (5–5) | Niekro (6–6) | Minton (10) | 2:36 | 12,354 | 1–1 (29–30) | L1 | 3 (60) | August 12 | 2:05 p.m. CDT | @ Giants | W 5–4 | Sambito (3–3) | Holland (3–3) | Smith (1) | 2:51 | 8,707 | 2–1 (30–30) | W1 | 4 (61) | August 13 | 3:05 p.m. CDT | @ Padres | L 1–9 | Welsh (4–4) | Knepper (5–2) | – | 2:29 | 4,899 | 2–2 (30–31) | L1 | 5 (62) | August 14 | 9:05 p.m. CDT | @ Padres | W 5–1 | Ryan (6–3) | Lollar (1–5) | – | 2:24 | 8,414 | 3–2 (31–31) | W1 | 6 (63) | August 15 | 9:05 p.m. CDT | @ Padres | W 5–0 | Sutton (5–7) | Eichelberger (6–4) | – | 1:59 | 5,852 | 4–2 (32–31) | W2 | 7 (64) | August 16 | 3:05 p.m. CDT | @ Padres | W 3–0 | Niekro (7–6) | Mura (4–9) | Smith (4) | 2:16 | 5,880 | 5–2 (33–31) | W3 | 8 (65) | August 17 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Expos | L 2–6 | Burris (5–5) | Ruhle (1–2) | Fryman (4) | 2:19 | 24,203 | 5–3 (33–32) | L1 | 9 {66) | August 18 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Expos | W 4–2 | Knepper (6–2) | Rogers (8–5) | Sambito (7) | 2:04 | 23,306 | 6–3 (34–32) | W1 | 10 (67) | August 19 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Expos | W 9–1 | Ryan (7–3) | Sanderson (6–4) | Smith (5) | 2:39 | 27,169 | 7–3 (35–32) | W2 | 11 (68) | August 21 | 7:05 p.m. CDT | @ Phillies | L 4–5 | Lyle (6–2) | Ruhle (1–3) | McGraw (8) | 2:41 | 31,693 | 7–4 (35–33) | L1 | 12 (69) | August 22 | 1:15 p.m. CDT | @ Phillies | L 4–8 | Ruthven (9–5) | Niekro (7–7) | – | 2:16 | 35,199 | 7–5 (35–34) | L2 | 13 (70) | August 23 | 6:05 p.m. CDT | @ Phillies | L 0–6 | Carlton (10–3) | Knepper (6–3) | – | 1:51 | 30,630 | 7–6 (35–35) | L3 | 14 (71) | August 25 | 7:05 p.m. CDT | @ Mets | L 1–2 | Marshall (1–0) | Sambito (3–4) | – | 2:32 | 15,622 | 7–7 (35–36) | L4 | 15 (72) | August 26 | 7:05 p.m. CDT | @ Mets | W 9–3 | Sutton (6–7) | Zachry (6–9) | – | 2:34 | 16,731 | 8–7 (36–36) | W1 | 16 (73) | August 27 | 1:05 p.m. CDT | @ Mets | L 2–3 | Marshall (2–0) | Sambito (3–5) | Allen (12) | 2:28 | 17,488 | 8–8 (36–37) | L1 | 17 (74) | August 28 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Phillies | W 3–2 (10) | Smith (2–3) | Lyle (6–3) | – | 2:37 | 29,482 | 9–8 (37–37) | W1 | 18 (75) | August 29 (1) | 5:35 p.m. CDT | Phillies | W 6–1 | Ruhle (2–3) | Davis (0–2) | – | 2:22 | N/A | 10–8 (38–37) | W2 | 19 (76) | August 29 (2) | 8:32 p.m. CDT | Phillies | W 2–1 | Smith (1–0) | Noles (0–1) | LaCorte (4) | 2:01 | 33,327 | 11–8 (39–37) | W3 | 20 77) | August 30 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Phillies | W 5–4 (10) | Smith (3–3) | Lyle (6–4) | – | 2:53 | 23,102 | 12–8 (40–37) | W4 | 21 (78) | August 31 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Mets | W 6–1 | Sutton (7–7) | Zachry (6–10) | – | 2:27 | 10,669 | 13–8 (41–37) | W5 | |
September: 18–10 (home: 10–5; away: 8–5) # | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Time of Game | Attendance | Record | Box/ Streak | 22 (79) | September 1 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Mets | W 3–2 | Sambito (4–5) | Marshall (2–1) | – | 2:39 | 16,339 | 14–8 (42–37) | W6 | 23 (80) | September 2 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Mets | W 8–0 | Knepper (7–3) | Scott (4–8) | – | 2:21 | 18,938 | 15–8 (43–37) | W7 | 24 {81) | September 3 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Expos | W 2–1 | Ruhle (3–3) | Sanderson (7–5) | Smith (6) | 2:20 | 24,833 | 16–8 (44–37) | W8 | 25 (82) | September 4 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Expos | W 5–0 | Ryan (8–3) | Gullickson (4–7) | Sambito (8) | 2:54 | 32,580 | 17–8 (45–37) | W9 | 26 (83) | September 5 | 1:15 p.m. CDT | @ Expos | L 2–5 | Burris (7–5) | Sutton (7–8) | – | 2:13 | 30,471 | 17–9 (45–38) | L1 | 27 (84) | September 6 | 12:35 p.m. CDT | @ Expos | W 4–3 (12) | LaCorte (4–2) | Sosa (1–2) | – | 3:33 | 47,193 | 18–9 (46–38) | W1 | 28 (85) | September 7 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Braves | W 3–2 | Smith (4–3) | Camp (7–2) | Sambito (9) | 2:40 | 7,358 | 19–9 (47–38) | W2 | 29 (86) | September 8 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Braves | L 2–3 | Camp (8–2) | Smith (1–1) | – | 2:13 | 2,800 | 19–10 (47–39) | L1 | 30 (87) | September 9 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Braves | L 0–9 | Niekro (7–5) | Ryan (8–4) | – | 2:34 | 4,482 | 19–11 (47–40) | L2 | 31 (88) | September 11 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Giants | W 6–0 | Sutton (8–8) | Blue (8–6) | – | 2:30 | 23,677 | 20–11 (48–40) | W1 | 32 (89) | September 12 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Giants | W 5–2 | Niekro (8–7) | Whitson (5–8) | Smith (7) | 2:39 | 35,867 | 21–11 (49–40) | W2 | 33 (90) | September 13 | 5:00 p.m. CDT | Giants | W 3–0 | Knepper (8–3) | Alexander (8–7) | LaCorte (5) | 2:32 | 19,642 | 22–11 (50–40) | W3 | 34 (91) | September 14 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Reds | L 2–4 | Berenyi (8–5) | Ruhle (3–4) | – | 2:30 | 19,742 | 22–12 (50–41) | L1 | 35 (92) | September 15 | 5:00 p.m. CDT | Reds | L 0–4 | Leibrandt (1–0) | Ryan (8–5) | – | 2:26 | 16,354 | 22–13 (50–42) | L2 | 36 (93) | September 16 | 9:05 p.m. CDT | @ Padres | W 5–2 | Sutton (9–8) | Lollar (1–8) | Sambito (10) | 2:35 | 4,241 | 23–13 (51–42) | W1 | 37 (94) | September 17 | 9:05 p.m. CDT | @ Padres | W 9–0 | Niekro (9–7) | Mura (5–13) | – | 2:14 | 2,428 | 24–13 (52–42) | W2 | 38 (95) | September 18 | 9:35 p.m. CDT | @ Giants | L 2–5 | Alexander (9–7) | Knepper (8–4) | Holland (7) | 2:26 | 8,183 | 24–14 (52–43) | L1 | 39 (96) | September 19 | 3:05 p.m. CDT | @ Giants | W 8–1 | Ruhle (4–4) | Griffin (8–7) | – | 2:26 | 11,522 | 25–14 (53–43) | W1 | 40 (97) | September 20 | 3:05 p.m. CDT | @ Giants | W 7–3 | Ryan (9–5) | Lavelle (0–6) | – | 3:04 | 16,824 | 26–14 (54–43) | W2 | 41 (98) | September 22 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Braves | W 3–0 | Sutton (10–8) | Perry (7–8) | – | 2:16 | 22,564 | 27–14 (55–43) | W3 | 42 (99) | September 23 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Braves | L 1–3 | Mahler (6–6) | Niekro (9–8) | – | 2:13 | 24,142 | 27–15 (55–44) | L1 | 43 (100) | September 24 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Braves | W 5–3 | Knepper (9–4) | McWilliams (1–1) | Smith (8) | 2:17 | 23,341 | 28–15 (56–44) | W1 | 44 (101) | September 25 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Dodgers | L 0–3 | Hooton (11–6) | Ruhle (4–5) | – | 2:18 | 35,481 | 28–16 (56–45) | L1 | 45 (102) | September 26 | 1:20 p.m. CDT | Dodgers | W 5–0 | Ryan (10–5) | Power (1–3) | – | 2:46 | 32,115 | 29–16 (57–45) | W1 | 46 (103) | September 27 | 5:05 p.m. CDT | Dodgers | W 4–1 | Sutton (11–8) | Valenzuela (13–6) | – | 2:23 | 41,686 | 30–16 (58–45) | W2 | 47 (104) | September 28 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Padres | W 2–1 | Sambito (5–5) | Eichelberger (8–8) | – | 2:07 | 21,576 | 31–16 (59–45) | W3 | 48 (105) | September 29 | 7:35 p.m. CDT | Padres | L 1–2 | Wise (4–8) | Knepper (9–5) | Lucas (12) | 2:19 | 34,732 | 31–17 (59–46) | L1 | 49 (106) | September 30 | 6:35 p.m. CDT | @ Reds | L 2–3 | Soto (11–9) | Ruhle (4–6) | Hume (13) | 2:14 | 24,394 | 31–18 (59–47) | L2 | |
October: 2–2 (home: 0–0; away: 2–2) # | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Time of Game | Attendance | Record | Box/ Streak | 50 (107) | October 1 | 4:00 p.m. CDT | @ Reds | W 8–1 | Ryan (11–5) | Berenyi (9–6) | – | 3:12 | 26,484 | 32–18 (60–47) | W1 | 51 (108) | October 2 | 9:30 p.m. CDT | @ Dodgers | L 1–6 | Reuss (10–4) | Sutton (11–9) | – | 2:30 | 46,108 | 32–19 (60–48) | L1 | 52 (109) | October 3 | 2:50 p.m. CDT | @ Dodgers | L 2–7 | Welch (9–5) | Niekro (9–9) | – | 2:43 | 42,272 | 32–20 (60–49) | L2 | 53 (110) | October 4 | 3:00 p.m. CDT | @ Dodgers | W 5–3 | Smith (5–2) | Goltz (2–7) | – | 3:17 | 47,072 | 33–20 (61–49) | W1 | |
Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Astros team member |
Postseason Game log
1981 Postseason game log: 2–3 (home: 2–0; away: 0–3) |
NL Western Division Series: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 2–3 (home: 2–0; away: 0–3) # | Date | Time (CT) | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Time of Game | Attendance | Series | Box/ Streak | 1 | October 6 | 7:15 p.m. CDT | Dodgers | W 3–1 | Ryan (1–0) | Stewart (0–1) | – | 2:22 | 44,836 | HOU 1–0 | W1 | 2 | October 7 | 12:05 p.m. CDT | Dodgers | W 1–0 (11) | Sambito (1–0) | Stewart (0–2) | – | 3:39 | 42,398 | HOU 2–0 | W2 | 3 | October 9 | 3:05 p.m. CDT | @ Dodgers | L 1–6 | Hooton (1–0) | Knepper (0–1) | – | 2:35 | 46,820 | HOU 2–1 | L1 | 4 | October 10 | 7:15 p.m. CDT | @ Dodgers | L 1–2 | Valenzuela (1–0) | Ruhle (0–1) | – | 2:00 | 55,983 | Tied 2–2 | L2 | 5 | October 11 | 3:05 p.m. CDT | @ Dodgers | L 0–4 | Reuss (1–0) | Ryan (1–1) | – | 2:52 | 55,979 | LA 3–2 | L3 | |
Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Astros team member |
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
Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
C | Alan Ashby | 83 | 255 | 69 | .271 | 4 | 33 |
1B | César Cedeño | 82 | 306 | 83 | .271 | 5 | 34 |
2B | Joe Pittman | 52 | 135 | 38 | .281 | 0 | 7 |
SS | Craig Reynolds | 87 | 323 | 84 | .260 | 4 | 31 |
3B | Art Howe | 103 | 361 | 107 | .296 | 3 | 36 |
LF | José Cruz | 107 | 409 | 109 | .267 | 13 | 55 |
CF | Tony Scott | 55 | 225 | 66 | .293 | 2 | 22 |
RF | Terry Puhl | 96 | 350 | 88 | .251 | 3 | 28 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pitching
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
1981 National League Division Series
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros
Los Angeles wins series, 3-2.
Game | Score | Date |
1 | Houston 3, Los Angeles 1 | October 6 |
2 | Houston 1, Los Angeles 0 (11 innings) | October 7 |
3 | Los Angeles 6, Houston 1 | October 9 |
4 | Los Angeles 2, Houston 1 | October 10 |
5 | Los Angeles 4, Houston 0 | October 11 |
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Daytona Beach
References
- ^ "The Story Of The 1981 Houston Astros". October 18, 2014.
- ^ Don Sutton at Baseball Reference
- ^ a b "Chris Bourjos Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ Julio González at Baseball Reference
- ^ Gary Rajsich at Baseball Reference
- ^ David Clyde at Baseball Reference
- ^ [1]
- ^ Joaquín Andújar at Baseball Reference
- ^ "Eric Bullock Stats".
- ^ "Big Days in Astros History – September 26, 1981 – Nolan Ryan pitches his fifth no-hitter". AstrosDaily.com. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
External links
- 1981 Houston Astros season at Baseball Reference
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