The 1978 Houston Astros season was the 17th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 14th as the Astros, 17th in the National League (NL), tenth in the NL West division, and 14th at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season having completed an 81âÂÂ81 record for third place and 17 games behind the division-champion and NL pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers.
At Riverfront Stadium on April 6, J. R. Richard made his third of five consecutive Opening Day starts for Houston, who were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds, 11âÂÂ9. The Astros' first round pick in the amateur draft was pitcher Rod Boxberger at 11th overall; in the second round, they chose outfielder Danny Heep.
Center fielder Terry Puhl was Astros' representative at the MLB All-Star Game and played for the National League, his lone career selection. Third baseman Eddie Mathews, who briefly played for Houston in 1967, became the second former Astro to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Astros concluded the season fifth in the NL West with a record of 74âÂÂ88, 21 games behind Los Angeles, who repeated as both division champions and NL pennant winners. J. R. Richard became the first right-handed pitcher in National League history to reach 300 strikeouts, as well as the first Houston Astros pitcher to lead the league, with 303.
The Astros turned their first triple play on an Opening Day on April 6, and third in club history, Though the contest began auspiciously for Houston, they fell to the Cincinnati Reds, 11âÂÂ9, at Riverfront Stadium. Terry Puhl cranked a home run to lead off the game and season, and César Cedeño and Joe Ferguson joined Puhl with longballs. During the bottom of the seventh, Joe Sambito relieved and struck out Dan Driessen. On a botched double steal, Ferguson gunned down George Foster, while Joe Morgan was caught in a rundown between second and third base to turn the triple play.
On April 26, Houston turned another triple play at Dodger Stadium, marking their second instance to have turned two within the same season, while being the first to occur within the same month. Simulating a Hollywood ending, catcher Joe Ferguson cranked a three-run home run in the top of the eighth to give Houston the lead. With Ken Forsch on during the bottom of the ninth, Bill Russell and Reggie Smith each singled, resulting in runners on first and second for Ron Cey. Cey slashed a liner to Bob Watson, which he snagged and stepped on first, and spun, rifled the ball to Roger Metzger, racing ahead of Russell to the bag to effectuate their trifecta, and ice an 8âÂÂ6 triumph over the Los Angeles.
On May 20, José Cruz got the Astros off to fast start with a two-run first-inning bomb as they lifted off on the Atlanta Braves, 13âÂÂ0. He never looked back, capturing both career highs of four hits and six runs batted in (RBI), and added a stolen base. Denny Walling connected for his first major league home run, and added three RBI. Enos Cabell collected three hits as Astros hitters struck out just once. In his second straight shutout, J. R. Richard was brilliant, striking out 8 to yield a game score of 80, while, at the plate, he added a hit, run scored and an RBI.
Three wild pitches in one inning on May 30 during an overwise gem of an outing by J. R. Richard set up the lone run of the contest to score as the San Francisco Giants prevailed, 1âÂÂ0.
In spite of setting a new record as a team with 7 errors on June 12, the Astros' Jesús Alou hit a leadoff double to start a rally in the top of the eighth inning. The Astros followed with six runs scored that led to 6âÂÂ5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On June 9, Cruz tripled twice for the only time in career, attained his fifth career four-hit game, and third with five RBI. He also pilfered a base. Cruz' final safety was a bases-loaded triple which extended the lead to 11âÂÂ5 during the top of the eighth. Art Howe and Denny Walling each added a pair of RBI, while César Cedeño stroked three hits and stole a bag. Meanwhile, J. R. Richard (5âÂÂ6) qualified for a victory though he surrendered 5 hits, 6 walks, and 5 runs to the St. Louis Cardinals in frames in an 11âÂÂ7 Houston triumph. Twelve of his 16 outs were whiffs. Ken Forsch entered during the bottom of the eighth and extinguished a Cardinals threat with two runs in, while retiring four of five batters faced to earn a third save.
Knuckleballer Joe Niekro started against the Philadelphia Philles on July 17, opposing Larry Christenson. Niekro pitched an 11-inning complete game, struck out eight, surrendered five hits and one run for a game score of 88. During the bottom of the 11th inning, José Cruz led off against Rawly Eastwick, and blasted Eastwick's first offering walk-off home run, his fifth longball and eighth game-winning hit of the campaign. Cruz' blast furnished a 2âÂÂ1 Astros' triumph while punctuating the victory for Niekro in his marathon bout. The 11 innings represented a career-high for Niekro.
On July 31, Niekro fired a two-hit, one-run complete game victory, his lowest-hit complete-game outing since a one-hit shutout masterpiece on July 2, 1970, as a member of the Detroit Tigers.
During an 8âÂÂ3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on August 21, J. R. Richard procured his 236th whiff to pass Don Wilson for the Astros' single-season strikeout record (1969). The strikeout victim was Tim Blackwell during the top of the seventh inning. Later in the inning, Bill Buckner singled home two Cubs, and Greg Gross scored on a wild pitch. Richard (13âÂÂ11) earned the victory with a quality start ( IP, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K). Meanwhile, José Cruz homered, going 4-for-4 with 4 RBI.
Richard surpassed Tom Seaver's record of 289 strikeouts on September 19, by whiffing the Braves' Bob Horner on a 1âÂÂ2 offering in the seventh inning. The strikeout set the record for right-handers in the National League.
Niekro whiffed a career-high 11 on September 20, during a nine-inning complete game; however, Niekro (12âÂÂ14) suffered the defeat as the Atlanta Braves. Glenn Hubbard singled in pinch runner Eddie Miller for the go-ahead tally.
On September 28, J. R. Richard recorded his 300th strikeout of the season in a 4âÂÂ3 win over the Braves, tallying six whiffs to get to 303. Richard became the first right-handed pitcher in National League history to achieve this milestone in one season, He also homered in the third inning off Larry McWilliams. The Astros rallied to win in the seventh inning with a double by Reggie Baldwin and a single by Rafael Landestoy.
The Astros concluded the 1978 season performance, in fifth place in the NL West, and trailing the NL pennant-winning Dodgers by 21 games. This represented a decline in performance by 7 wins and a drop from third place in the standings, from the year prior.
With 303 whiffs, J. R. Richard became the premier Astros pitcher to lead the league in strikeouts, and the first to reach 300-plus while establishing a new club record, supplanting the 235 by Don Wilson in 1969. Moreover, Richard become Houston's first three-time 200-strikeout moundsman (214 each in 1976 and 1977). For the second consecutive season, Richard led the NL in hits per nine innings (6.278 H/9), the third time by an Astros pitcher. Richard's 56 wins also led NL right-handers over the previous three seasons.
Enos Cabell became the first Astro to play the full 162-game schedule, while establishing other single-season franchise records. including hits (195) and at bats (660). His hits record stood until 1998 when Craig Biggio collected 210. Hence, Cabell was named the Houston Astros' team Most Valuable Player (MVP).
José Cruz was the only National League batter with as many as two walk-off home runs in 1978.
|- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">1</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:white;">@</span> <span style="color:white;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">2</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:white;">@</span> <span style="color:white;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">3</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:white;">@</span> <span style="color:white;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">4</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:white;">@</span> <span style="color:white;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">5</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#083c6b;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">6</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#083c6b;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">7</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#083c6b;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">8</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#c6011f;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">9</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#c6011f;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">10</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#c6011f;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">13</span> || || || style=";" |@ <span style="color:white;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">14</span> || || || style=";" |@ <span style="color:white;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">15</span> || || || style=";" |@ <span style="color:white;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">16</span> || || || style=";" |@ <span style="color:white;">Dodgers</span> |-
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|- style="background:#bbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">âÂÂ</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#e1b81e;">@</span> <span style="color:#e1b81e;">Pirates</span> || colspan=8 style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">Postponed (Rain)</span> <small>(Makeup date: August 17)</small> |- style="background:#bbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">âÂÂ</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#e1b81e;">@</span> <span style="color:#e1b81e;">Pirates</span> || colspan=8 style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">Postponed (Rain)</span> <small>(Makeup date: August 20)</small> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">55</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:black;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">56</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:black;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">57</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:black;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">61</span> || || || style=";" |@ <span style="color:white;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">62</span> || || || style=";" |@ <span style="color:white;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">63</span> || || || style=";" |@ <span style="color:white;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">68</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#c6011f;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">69</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#c6011f;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">70</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#c6011f;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">71</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#c6011f;">Reds</span> |-
|- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">76</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:white;">@</span> <span style="color:white;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">77</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:white;">@</span> <span style="color:white;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">78</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:white;">@</span> <span style="color:white;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">79</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#083c6b;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">80</span> <span style="color:#FF7F00;"></span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#083c6b;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">81</span> <span style="color:#FF7F00;"></span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#083c6b;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">82</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#083c6b;">Dodgers</span> |-style=background:#bbbfff | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">âÂÂ</span> || || style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">7:40</span><span style="color:#FF7F00;">p.m.</span> <span style="color:#FF7F00;">CDT</span> || colspan="9" style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">49th All-Star Game in San Diego, CA</span> |-
|- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">119</span> <span style="color:#072854;"></span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#e1b81e;">@</span> <span style="color:#e1b81e;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">120</span> <span style="color:#072854;"></span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#e1b81e;">@</span> <span style="color:#e1b81e;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">121</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#e1b81e;">@</span> <span style="color:#e1b81e;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">122</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#e1b81e;">@</span> <span style="color:#e1b81e;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">123</span> <span style="color:#072854;"></span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#e1b81e;">@</span> <span style="color:#e1b81e;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">124</span> <span style="color:#072854;"></span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#e1b81e;">@</span> <span style="color:#e1b81e;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">128</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:black;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">129</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:black;">Pirates</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">130</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:black;">Pirates</span> |-
|- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">137</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#c6011f;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">138</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#c6011f;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">139</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#083c6b;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#bfb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#FF7F00;">1406</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:#083c6b;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">143</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:white;">@</span> <span style="color:white;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">144</span> || || || style=";" |<span style="color:white;">@</span> <span style="color:white;">Reds</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">145</span> || || || style=";" |@ <span style="color:white;">Dodgers</span> |- style="background:#fbb;" | style=";" |<span style="color:#072854;">146</span> || || || style=";" |@ <span style="color:white;">Dodgers</span> |-
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Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts