The 1998 Houston Astros season was the 37th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 34th as the Astros, 37th in the National League (NL), fifth in the NL Central division, and 34th at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season having captured their first-ever NL Central division crown with an 84âÂÂ78 record and fourth division title overall; however, their season ended in a National League Division Series (NLDS) sweep by the Atlanta Braves.
On March 31, pitcher Shane Reynolds made his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted the San Francisco Giants but were defeated, 9âÂÂ4. In the amateur draft, the Astros' first round selection was pitcher Brad Lidge at 17th overall, and in the ninth round, they chose third baseman Morgan Ensberg.
Left fielder Moisés Alou and second baseman Craig Biggio both represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game, playing for the National League. It was the third career selection for Alou, and seventh for Biggio. Right-hander Don Sutton, who pitched two seasons for the Astros, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Moments before the trade deadline on July 31, the Astros acquired Randy Johnson from the Seattle Mariners, and proceeded to win 10 of his 11 starts.
Having attained 50 doubles and 50 stolen bases, Biggio joined Tris Speaker (1912) as the only Major Leaguers to reach both milestones during the same season. Biggio also became the ninth major leaguer to join the 20âÂÂ50 club; moreover, he became the first Major Leaguer achieve each of 200 hits, 20 home runs, 50 doubles, and 50 stolen bases within the same season. Jeff Bagwell became just the second Major Leaguer to record three successive campaigns of each of 100 runs scored, 30 doubles, 30 home runs, 100 runs batted in (RBI) and 100 base on balls (BB). Meanwhile, Johnson, who led the Major Leagues in strikeouts (329), became the seventh hurler since 1900 to record multiple 300-strikeout campaigns.
On the strength of a then-club record 102 wins, the Astros rocketed to a second consecutive NL Central division title and trip to the playoffs. Their fifth division title, it was the first time since the 1980 to 1981 campaigns that Houston prevailed with successive division titles. Moreover, in their second-to-last season at the Astrodome, the team drew a then-club record 2.45 million fans. In the National League Division Series (NLDS), the Astros were defeated in four games by the San Diego Padres, the NL pennant winners.
Following the season, Alou (second) and Biggio (fifth) each received Silver Slugger Awards. Larry Dierker won two Manager of the Year Awards, one from Baseball America, and another from the , the second Astro to win the latter award. The Sporting News named general manager Gerry Hunsicker their Executive of the Year, also the second Astro to receive this award.
The Astros concluded the 1997 campaign as National League (NL) Central division champions, their first title in this division inaugurated in 1994, fourth overall, and first since 1986 as members of the NL West division. The Astros' campaign concluded via sweep by the Atlanta Braves in the best-of-five National League Division Series (NLDS). With 43 home runs and 31 stolen bases, first baseman Jeff Bagwell produced the first 30âÂÂ30 season in franchise history, while Craig Biggio scored a then-club record 146 runs, the highest mark in the Major Leagues since Ted Williams (American League) in 1950, and highest by a National Leaguer since Chuck Klein in 1932.
With the introduction of two expansion teams, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the league held a draft on November 18, 1997, to assist the fledgling franchises in filling out their major league rosters. Three Astros were chosen, including outfielder Bobby Abreu, by the Devil Rays, with the sixth slot in the draft. Houston left Abreu unprotected in favor of retaining another young outfielder, fellow Venezuelan Richard Hidalgo, on the major league roster. Within four hours of obtaining Abreu, Tampa Bay dealt him to the Philadelphia Phillies in a trade for shortstop Kevin Stocker.
The Astros hosted the San Francisco Giants for Opening Day, March 31, only to be bested in a wild, extra innings affair, 9âÂÂ4, Led by future Astro Jeff Kent, he exploded for five-hits and four runs batted in (RBI), starting with a three-run home run off Astros' starting pitcher Shane Reynolds to cap the top of the third inning. In the top of the 13th, Rey Sánchez singled with Charlie Hayes aboard, and Alex Diaz delivered the go-ahead single to score Sánchez as five Giants crossed the dish. Derek Bell swatted four hits, three doubles, and two RBI for Houston. C. J. Nitkowski aborted the loss. The three two-baggers represented a career high for Bell, while forging his 13th career four-hit game. Second baseman Craig Biggio became the third player to make 10 Opening Day starts for the Astros, joining César Cedeño (1981) and José Cruz (1986âÂÂ11 total). Reynolds made this third Opening Day start.
Starting April 17 until June 3, Craig Biggio reached base in each of 41 consecutive games spanning the second-longest in franchise history, trailing Jimmy Wynn (1969) and Greg Gross (1975), tied at 52. During the streak, Biggio hit for a .331 batting average, .425 on-base percentage (OBP) and .548 slugging percentage (SLG), garnering 52 hits and 19 bases on balls (BB). Wynn first set the record from June 4âÂÂAugust 3, 1969, while Gross reached from June 25âÂÂAugust 18, 1975. The NL record spanned 58 games, achieved by Duke Snider, who reached base each game from May 13âÂÂJuly 11, 1954, for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Rookie right-hander Kerry Wood, making just his fifth major league start for the Chicago Cubs on May 6, made history at the Astros' expense, striking out 20 in a one-hit, 2âÂÂ0 complete game shutout victory at Wrigley Field. Wood's performance tied Roger Clemens for the major league strikeout record in a 9-inning game, while setting the National League record. Craig Biggio's spot as the leadoff hitter was the only place in the batting order which fell victim to fewer than two strikeouts, with one, and he also reached base on a hit by pitch. Only Jeff Bagwell and Jack Howell struck out as many as three times. The only hit that Wood yielded was a single to Ricky Gutiérrez to lead off the third inning. Shane Reynolds (2âÂÂ3) fired an eight-inning complete game in the losing effort, scattered eight hits with just one of two runs earned and struck out 10.
The left-hander Randy Johnson from the Seattle Mariners had become the biggest trade target of the 1998 mid-season playoff race, as the Mariners were apparently out of contention by Memorial Day, and he was destined to become a free agent following the season. However, the Astros were not estimated to be major candidates to acquire the extraordinary southpaw. Meanwhile, general manager Gerry Hunsicker envisioned Johnson as a weapon against the left-handed heavy New York Yankees lineup in a hypothetical World Series matchup, who were on their way to one of the all-time greatest regular seasons in major league history, and second-most wins in the modern era, accumulating a record of . Johnson completely dominated lefties, holding them to a .156 batting average against over four subsequent Cy Young Award-winning seasons from 1999 to 2002. Further, acquiring Johnson meant keeping him away from the Yankees, as well the Los Angeles Dodgers, both heavily rumored as favorites. A trade agreement with Hunsicker's counterpart in Seattle, Woody Woodward, required a high prospect package, starting with right-hander Freddy GarcÃÂa, shortstop Carlos Guillén and another who would be a player to be named later. For weeks initially, Hunsicker balked on making the deal.
Hunsicker noted apprehension that he would be "paying too much" for Johnson. Both GarcÃÂa and Guillén later became multiple-time All-Stars with lengthy major league careers. GarcÃÂa took on a large role in Seattle's starting rotation the following year, including placing second in the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year balloting. Guillen was solid for the Mariners, but took longer to blossom, peaking after he was traded by Seattle prior to the 2004 season to the Detroit Tigers. Further, the Astros would be unable to extend Johnson or resign him in free agency during the off-season.
Just one week after Biggio's historic on-base streak ended, on June 10, Jeff Bagwell commenced his own long streak of reaching base, lasting until July 29. A grand total of 44 consecutive games, this displaced Biggio's 41-game streak for second place in team history. Bagwell proceeded to hit .282, .411 OBP and .595 SLG, including collecting 46 hits and drawing 33 walks.
An error in the ninth inning on June 14 by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin allowed the Astros to tie the game. Houston proceeded to score five more runs, resulting in a 6âÂÂ3 win in the tenth inning.
Facing a 5âÂÂ3 deficit going into the ninth inning on June 17, Bagwell connected for a two-run home run to tie the score. Brad Ausmus singled in the game-winning run, and C. J. Nitkowski got the victory, his second of the year.
Biggio and Alou were selected to play for the National League at the All-Star Game, hosted at Coors Field in Denver. It was Alou's first selection as an Astro and the third overall in his career. Meanwhile, Biggio extended his club record to seven All-Star Games. Voted as the starting second baseman for the fourth consecutive contest, this extended another club record for starts any position.
On July 14, closer Billy Wagner recorded his first Major League hit. During the bottom of the eighth frame, Wagner singled to right field off Aaron Small of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark. Wagner worked scoreless innings, and struck out three of four batters faced to polish off a 4âÂÂ2 Astros win and collect the save (22). Starter Shane Reynolds (12âÂÂ5) earned the victory, whiffed seven, while scattering five hits and two runs over innings. Derek Bell and Moisés Alou both went deep off Diamondbacks starter Omar Daal.
Wagner was struck on the head by a batted ball on July 15, felling the southpaw. While attempting to protect an 8âÂÂ7 margin over Arizona, Kelly Stinnett's line drive struck Wagner on the left temple, rendering him motionless for several moments. Wagner remained alert and conscious, was taken to a neurological center, and later cleared of any remaining symptoms. The Diamondbacks later rallied for a 9âÂÂ8 victory in 11 innings. The team withheld Wagner from game play until August 9 while he recovered.
On July 28, right-hander Don Sutton, who pitched for the Astros during the 1981 and 1982 seasons, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on July 28. During the 1981 season, his performance was instrumental in the Astros securing a playoff berth against his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. On July 7, 1982, Sutton earned his 250th career victory, a 5âÂÂ1 triumph over the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander was honored primarily based on his achievements while pitching for the Dodgers.
Sutton became the second former Astro to be inducted into the Hall of Fame over consecutive seasons, succeeding Nellie Fox in 1997, and sixth overall.
Moments before the trade deadline on July 31, Houston acquired Johnson from the Mariners. Though he concluded the Seattle chapter of his career with a 4.33 ERA, going 9-10 prior to the deal, Johnson recaptured his previous dominant form and left Mariner fans with some solid memories. On July 11 and 16, Johnson hurled consecutive shutouts over the Anaheim Angels and Minnesota Twins, yielding six hits while fanning 26 hitters. Despite not pitching in the American League (AL) after the month of July, Johnson ranked third in the league in strikeouts (213) and fifth in complete games (6) at season's end, and ended up just two innings short of qualifying for rate statistics (160 IP).
At the time of their trade for Johnson, the Astros occupied first place in the NL Central and led the second-place the Cubs by games. Johnson made his Astros debut on August 2 at Three Rivers Stadium to face the Pittsburgh Pirates, who countered with Todd Van Poppel. The two pitchers kept it close, as Johnson lived up to his billing with 12 strikeouts, but Pittsburgh held the advantage through 7 innings, at 2âÂÂ1. In the top of the eighth, the Astros scored twice before Tony Eusebio pinch hit for Johnson and doubled in Ricky Gutiérrez for the third run of the inning. Rookie Scott Elarton finished off the afternoon with two perfect innings and strikeouts number 13 and 14 for Houston pitching. Hence, Johnson won his debut with seven strong innings to lead a 6âÂÂ2 Astros win.
Johnson made his debut at the Astrodome as a member of the home team on August 7 and led a 9âÂÂ0 shutout of the Philadelphia Phillies before a record attendance. This was first of 3 consecutive home shutouts for Johnson. The-fifth-largest crowd to attend a regular-season contest in the Astrodome (52,071) witnessed Johnson's mastery over Philadelphia. The Astros won 30 of their first 39 games after acquiring Johnson and their division lead over Chicago swelled from games to .
On August 9, Billy Wagner made his first mound appearance since July 15, when he was struck on the head by a line drive. Wagner hurled a scoreless final frame to seal an 11âÂÂ2 triumph over Philadelphia. Moisés Alou homered (30) and drove in four. Starter Shane Reynolds (14âÂÂ7) doubled and scored, while striking out 10 over eight innings.
Randy Johnson hammered a five-hit, 13-strikeout shutout of the Milwaukee Brewers on August 12, his first 13-strikeout performance as an Astro. In all, Johnson surrendered five hits and two bases on balls for a game score of 88 to lead a 3âÂÂ0 triumph. Craig Biggio homered (13) and had three hits. Johnson secured a safety and his first RBI as an Astro. Two unlikely bases banditsâÂÂRichard Hidalgo and Moisés AlouâÂÂand Derek Bell each picked Milwaukee's pocket.
On August 17, Johnson lost his start to the Phillies, snapping a scoreless innings streak at 19, the longest for the year on Houston's pitching staff.
Back at the Astrodome on August 28 to host the Pirates, Johnson fired another shutout, this time for 7 hits, no bases on balls, 16 strikeouts, and a game score of 89, his highest after he was acquired by Houston. The Pirates countered with Astros killer Francisco Córdova, who was up to the challenge with another gem, remained unscathed save for a balk and two errors to push Brad Ausmus along to score the only tallies of the contest. The 16 strikeouts set a Houston record for left-handers, surpassing 15 by Mike Cuellar on June 25, 1966. It was the most by an Astros pitcher since Nolan Ryan amassed 16 punchouts on September 9, 1987, against the San Francisco Giants.
The Astros posted the best month in franchise history, going 22âÂÂ7 in August, while increasing their lead in the NL Central to 11 games. Meanwhile, Johnson was named NL Pitcher of the Month, after having gone 5âÂÂ1, 1.16 ERA, and leading the NL in strikeouts (61) and shutouts (3).
On September 2, Johnson worked the winning end of a pitchers' duel opposite Greg Maddux for a 4âÂÂ2 Astros' win over the Atlanta Braves, where Johnson struck out 10. Biggio, Bagwell, and Sean Berry all homered in a rare three-home run game off the Atlanta ace.
Johnson authored a 14-strikeout gem on September 7, a six-hitter of Cincinnati in a 1âÂÂ0 final. Derek Bell's deep blast in the bottom of the sixth augmented the all run support required to cure the finishing touches of a masterpiece. In spite of making just his eighth appearances for Houston, Johnson became the first left-hander in club history to propagate three 13-strikeout performances, surpassing Cuellar.
Bagwell hit his first career grand slam on September 8 while tying a career-high six runs batted in (RBI) against Cincinnati in a 13âÂÂ7 Astros' victory. His 218th career home run, this broke the then-longest streak among active players without having hit a grand slam.
On September 12, the Astros won their 96th game of the season, hosting the Cardinals for a 3âÂÂ2 final score. Johnson was the starter and won this game as well, going seven innings with two runs allowed and 11 strikeouts, including his 300th of the season, the second time in his career achieving this milestone. This win tied the 1986 team for most in franchise history.
Just one game from clinching the NL Central division title, on September 14, the Astros took a 4âÂÂ2 lead headed into ninth against the New York Mets, but lost, 7âÂÂ4, in 13 innings. Mike Piazza, who collected 4 hits for New York, also launched a bomb that hurtled . However, the San Diego Padres later defeated the second-place Cubs, 4âÂÂ3. Former Astro Ken Caminiti led off the eighth inning with a home run for San Diego. Hence, the Cubs' defeat gave Houston their second-consecutive division title. San Diego (95âÂÂ56) pulled within a game of Atlanta and Houston (96âÂÂ55) for the best record in the NL.
Meanwhile, another race transpiring in the NL Central, and the most-watched race of the summerâÂÂthe home run record chaseâÂÂremained deadlocked at 62 as of September 14. The Cubs' Sammy Sosa whiffed four times against the Padres, while Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals singled twice in a 7âÂÂ3 victory over the Pirates.
On September 15, Craig Biggio singled in the ninth inning of the second game of a doubleheader off Turk Wendell of the Mets for his 200th hit of the season. With the hit, Biggio become the first player in Astros history to reach this milestone. The Astros lost the second game, 8âÂÂ4, after winning the first to earn the split. Biggio had passed Enos Cabell's club single-season record for hits (195), established in 1978.
At Busch Memorial Stadium on September 23, the Astros defeated St. Louis, 7âÂÂ1, for their 100th win of the season, reaching the milestone for the first time in franchise history. Johnson worked 7 strong innings, allowing the only run with six walks and eight strikeouts on 136 pitches to earn his 10th win since joining Houston and 19th overall for the season. Biggio, Hidalgo, and Alou all collected three hits apiece. Biggio pilfered his 50th base of the season, by which along with 50 doubles, joined Hall of Famer Tris Speaker as the major league only players since the 20th century to have reached both milestones in the same season. Biggio became the ninth player in major league history to join the 20 home runsâÂÂ50 stolen bases club, and the second Astro since César Cedeño compiled three consecutive from 1972 to 1974.
Biggio ultimately reached 210 hits for the season, which remained as the Astros' single-season record until Jose Altuve surpassed it on September 16, 2014. Biggio also surpassed Cedeño's club record for runs scored (891).
The Astros won a club-record 102 games en route to a second successive NL Central division title. Five starting pitchers earned double-figures in wins for Houston, including Randy Johnson's effort with the Astros after his acquisition at the July 31 trade deadline. The team drew a franchise-record 2.45 million fans in their penultimate season as tenants at the Astrodome, including 10 contests with 50,000 or more. Fans would exceed the stadium's attendance record again the following year by over 250,000.
The sixth consecutive winning season for the Astros, it signaled the fifth consecutive with a finish in either first or second place in the NL Central divisionâÂÂboth unprecedented streaks at the time. The 1998 season was the third time the Astros won upward of 90 games, having previously achieved this in 1980 (93 wins) and 1986 (96). For the first time since 1980 and 1981, Houston repeated both as consecutive division title winners, and as playoff entrants.
Houston launched a franchise-record 166 home runs, surpassing the 138 they had hit in 1993. The following year, they also broke this record.
In addition to joining Tris Speaker as the only player to register 50 doubles and 50 stolen bases, and the ninth to join the 20âÂÂ50 club, Craig Biggio became the first, and so far only, Major Leaguer to accumulate each of 200 hits, 50 doubles, 20 home runs, and 50 stolen bases all within the same season.
Jeff Bagwell recorded the third of six successive campaigns of each of 100 runs scored, 30 doubles, 30 home runs, 100 runs batted in (RBI) and 100 base on balls (BB), which eventually became a Major League record, through 2001. As of 1998, this streak was one season behind the all-time Major League record, accomplished by Lou Gehrig.
Randy Johnson became the seventh pitcher since 1900 to amass multiple 300-strikeout seasons. Johnson won each of his final 7 regular season starts, surrendering 7 earned runs in innings for a 1.28 ERA. Having accumulated 116 strikeouts and 4 shutouts following his acquisition by Houston, Johnson led all of baseball in both categories, 329 and 6, respectivelyâÂÂthough not having enough to be the league leader in either the AL or NL. It was the fifth time in his career that Johnson led the major leagues in strikeouts, and wound up doing so a total of ten times during his career. Hence, Johnson became the fourth Astros pitcher whose aggregate strikeout total led all of baseball and first to change leagues mid-season. He was preceded by J. R. Richard (twice) in 1978 (303) and in 1979 (313), Mike Scott in 1986 (306), and Nolan Ryan in 1987 (270).
Following the season, Biggio was recognized with the Silver Slugger Award for the fifth time in his career, extending his club record. It was fourth at second base and he had won his first as catcher. Left fielder Moisés Alou also won the Silver Slugger during his first season in Houston and the second of his career overall.
|-style="background:#fcc;" | 1 || March 31 || 4:06p.m. CDT || Giants || L 4âÂÂ9 || Johnstone (1âÂÂ0) || Nitkowski (0âÂÂ1) || â || 4:29 || 43,776 || 0âÂÂ1 || L1 |-
|-style="background:#cfc;" | 2 || April 1 || 6:37p.m. CDT || Giants || W 7âÂÂ6 || Miller (1âÂÂ0) || Tavarez (0âÂÂ1) || Wagner (1) || 3:04 || 13,719 || 1âÂÂ1 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 3 || April 2 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Giants || L 2âÂÂ9 || Rueter (1âÂÂ0) || Halama (0âÂÂ1) || â || 3:18 || 15,040 || 1âÂÂ2 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 4 || April 3 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Rockies || W 15âÂÂ2 || Lima (1âÂÂ0) || Wright (0âÂÂ1) || â || 2:47 || 26,026 || 2âÂÂ2 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 5 || April 4 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Rockies || L 3âÂÂ5 || Thompson (1âÂÂ0) || Bergman (0âÂÂ1) || Dipoto (2) || 2:54 || 21,325 || 2âÂÂ3 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 6 || April 5 || 1:36p.m. CDT || Rockies || W 6âÂÂ2 || Reynolds (1âÂÂ0) || Kile (1âÂÂ1) || â || 2:29 || 21,037 || 3âÂÂ3 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 7 || April 6 || 12:37p.m. CDT || Rockies || W 13âÂÂ4 || Hampton (1âÂÂ0) || Thomson (1âÂÂ1) || â || 2:51 || 13,553 || 4âÂÂ3 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 8 || April 7 || 3:11p.m. CDT || @ Giants || L 4âÂÂ5 || Nen (1âÂÂ0) || Wagner (0âÂÂ1) || â || 3:38 || 55,370 || 4âÂÂ4 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 9 || April 8 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Giants || W 6âÂÂ3 || Lima (2âÂÂ0) || Rueter (1âÂÂ1) || Wagner (2) || 3:02 || 10,021 || 5âÂÂ4 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 10 || April 9 || 9:04p.m. CDT || @ Giants || W 3âÂÂ1 || Bergman (1âÂÂ1) || Gardner (1âÂÂ1) || Nitkowski (1) || 2:54 || 10,153 || 6âÂÂ4 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 11 || April 10 || 9:07p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || L 2âÂÂ7 || MartÃÂnez (2âÂÂ1) || Reynolds (1âÂÂ1) || â || 2:51 || 34,994 || 6âÂÂ5 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 12 || April 11 || 9:07p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || W 6âÂÂ2 || Hampton (2âÂÂ0) || Dreifort (0âÂÂ1) || Henry (1) || 2:27 || 40,037 || 7âÂÂ5 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 13 || April 12 || 7:08p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || L 6âÂÂ7 || Osuna (1âÂÂ0) || Wagner (0âÂÂ2) || â || 3:27 || 33,429 || 7âÂÂ6 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 14 || April 13 || 7:05p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || L 1âÂÂ3 || Nomo (1âÂÂ1) || Lima (2âÂÂ1) || Radinsky (2) || 2:14 || 32,289 || 7âÂÂ7 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 15 || April 15 || 6:12p.m. CDT || @ Reds || L 1âÂÂ4 || Tomko (2âÂÂ1) || Reynolds (1âÂÂ2) || Shaw (4) || 2:28 || 15,619 || 7âÂÂ8 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 16 || April 16 || 6:30p.m. CDT || @ Reds || W 7âÂÂ4 || Hampton (3âÂÂ0) || Weathers (1âÂÂ1) || Wagner (3) || 3:02 || 14,596 || 8âÂÂ8 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 17 || April 17 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Expos || W 5âÂÂ3 || Halama (1âÂÂ1) || Hermanson (1âÂÂ2) || Wagner (4) || 2:31 || 26,485 || 9âÂÂ8 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 18 || April 18 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Expos || W 4âÂÂ3 || Henry (1âÂÂ0) || Batista (0âÂÂ1) || â || 2:55 || 29,362 || 10âÂÂ8 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 19 || April 19 || 1:37p.m. CDT || Expos || L 4âÂÂ5 || Telford (2âÂÂ0) || Magnante (0âÂÂ1) || Urbina (4) || 2:57 || 18,484 || 10âÂÂ9 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 20 || April 21 || || @ Mets || 6âÂÂ0 || Hampton (4âÂÂ0) || Reed (1âÂÂ2) || â ||2:38 || 14,774 || 11âÂÂ9 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 21 || April 22 || || @ Mets || 7âÂÂ10 || Cook (2âÂÂ0) || Henry (1âÂÂ1) || â ||3:41 || 12,772 || 11âÂÂ10 || L1 |-style="background:#bbb;" |âÂÂ|| April 23 || || @ Mets || colspan=8 | Postponed (Rain) <small>(Makeup date: April 27)</small> |-style="background:#cfc;" | 22 || April 24 || 6:07p.m. CDT || @ Expos || W 8âÂÂ4 || Lima (3âÂÂ1) || Valdes (0âÂÂ3) || â || 2:49 || 8,713 || 12âÂÂ10 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 23 || April 25 || 6:08p.m. CDT || @ Expos || W 4âÂÂ3 || Magnante (1âÂÂ1) || Urbina (1âÂÂ1) || Wagner (5) || 3:11 || 8,489 || 13âÂÂ10 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 24 || April 26 || 12:38p.m. CDT || @ Expos || W 15âÂÂ0 || Bergman (2âÂÂ1) || Moore (1âÂÂ3) || iller (1) || 2:49 || 9,889 || 14âÂÂ10 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 25 || April 27 || || @ Mets || 4âÂÂ3 || Nitkowski (1âÂÂ1) || Franco (0âÂÂ1) || Wagner (6) ||2:30 || 17,656 || 15âÂÂ10 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 26 || April 28 || || Mets || 4âÂÂ3 || Magnante (2âÂÂ1) || Hudek (0âÂÂ1) || â ||3:43 || 14,943 || 16âÂÂ10 || W5 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 27 || April 29 || || Mets || 6âÂÂ1 || Lima (4âÂÂ1) || Mlicki (0âÂÂ3) || â ||2:26 || 14,448 || 17âÂÂ10 || W6 |-
|-style="background:#cfc;" | 28 || May 1 || || @ Phillies || 12âÂÂ5 || Reynolds (2âÂÂ2) || Beech (0âÂÂ2) || â ||3:17 || 11,410 || 18âÂÂ10 || W7 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 29 || May 2 || || @ Phillies || 4âÂÂ1 || Hampton (5âÂÂ0) || Schilling (3âÂÂ3) || Wagner (7) ||2:39 || 18,766 || 19âÂÂ10 || W8 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 30 || May 3 || || @ Phillies || 3âÂÂ5 || Gomes (1âÂÂ0) || Bergman (2âÂÂ2) || Leiter (2) ||2:52 || 21,288 || 19âÂÂ11 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 31 || May 5 || || @ Cubs || 10âÂÂ5 || Lima (5âÂÂ1) || Clark (2âÂÂ4) || Nitkowski (2) ||2:44 || 21,431 || 20âÂÂ11 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 32 || May 6 || || @ Cubs || 0âÂÂ2 || Wood (3âÂÂ2) || Reynolds (2âÂÂ3) || â ||2:19 || 15,758 || 20âÂÂ12 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 33 || May 8 || || @ Brewers || 1âÂÂ4 || Juden (4âÂÂ1) || Hampton (5âÂÂ1) || Jones (10) ||2:42 || 14,711 || 20âÂÂ13 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 34 || May 9 || || @ Brewers || 11âÂÂ6 || Schourek (1âÂÂ0) || Eldred (0âÂÂ2) || â ||3:23 || 20,145 || 21âÂÂ13 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 35 || May 10 || || @ Brewers || 7âÂÂ1 || Lima (6âÂÂ1) || Woodard (2âÂÂ1) || â ||2:33 || 19,023 || 22âÂÂ13 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 36 || May 11 || || Marlins || 5âÂÂ2 || Reynolds (3âÂÂ3) || Hernandez (2âÂÂ3) || Wagner (8) ||2:50 || 14,110 || 23âÂÂ13 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 37 || May 12 || || Marlins || 4âÂÂ2 || Bergman (3âÂÂ2) || Hammond (0âÂÂ1) || Wagner (9) ||2:38 || 14,919 || 24âÂÂ13 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 38 || May 13 || || Pirates || 1âÂÂ0 || Hampton (6âÂÂ1) || Lieber (1âÂÂ5) || Wagner (10) ||2:16 || 14,239 || 25âÂÂ13 || W5 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 39 || May 14 || || Pirates || 2âÂÂ7 || Silva (4âÂÂ3) || Schourek (1âÂÂ1) || â ||2:36 || 16,123 || 25âÂÂ14 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 40 || May 15 || || Braves || 2âÂÂ3 || Neagle (5âÂÂ1) || Lima (6âÂÂ2) || Martinez (1) ||2:23 || 38,941 || 25âÂÂ15 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 41 || May 16 || || Braves || 3âÂÂ2 || Henry (2âÂÂ1) || Lightenberg (3âÂÂ2) || â ||2:34 || 51,526 || 26âÂÂ15 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 42 || May 17 || || Braves || 8âÂÂ1 || Bergman (4âÂÂ2) || Smoltz (4âÂÂ1) || â ||2:29 || 35,250 || 27âÂÂ15 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 43 || May 18 || || Braves || 0âÂÂ4 || Glavine (6âÂÂ2) || Hampton (6âÂÂ2) || â ||2:47 || 22,119 || 27âÂÂ16 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 44 || May 19 || 6:06p.m. CDT || @ Expos || L 2âÂÂ4 || Perez (3âÂÂ3) || Schourek (1âÂÂ2) || Urbina (10) || 2:36 || 9,126 || 27âÂÂ17 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 45 || May 20 || 6:06p.m. CDT || @ Expos || W 4âÂÂ3 || Henry (3âÂÂ1) || Telford (2âÂÂ1) || Wagner (11) || 2:49 || 8,372 || 28âÂÂ17 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 46 || May 21 || 12:37p.m. CDT || @ Expos || W 6âÂÂ0 || Reynolds (4âÂÂ3) || Bennett (1âÂÂ2) || â || 2:55 || 7,601 || 29âÂÂ17 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 47 || May 22 || || Padres || 6âÂÂ9 || Miceli (4âÂÂ1) || Nitkowski (1âÂÂ2) || Hoffman (14) ||3:12 || 28,550 || 29âÂÂ18 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 48 || May 23 || || Padres || 4âÂÂ3 || Miller (2âÂÂ0) || Miceli (4âÂÂ2) || Wagner (12) ||2:53 || 36,281 || 30âÂÂ18 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 49 || May 24 || || Padres || 5âÂÂ2 || Schourek (2âÂÂ2) || Hamilton (3âÂÂ5) || Wagner (13) ||3:02 || 25,701 || 31âÂÂ18 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 50 || May 25 || 3:07p.m. CDT || Dodgers || L 3âÂÂ4 || Bruske (1âÂÂ0) || Scanlan (0âÂÂ1) || Radinsky (9) || 3:35 || 34,079 || 31âÂÂ19 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 51 || May 26 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Dodgers || W 13âÂÂ2 || Reynolds (5âÂÂ3) || Valdéz (4âÂÂ6) || â || 2:34 || 16,251 || 32âÂÂ19 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 52 || May 27 || 6:37p.m. CDT || Dodgers || L 1âÂÂ3 || Dreifort (3âÂÂ4) || Bergman (4âÂÂ3) || Radinsky (10) || 2:50 || 17,190 || 32âÂÂ20 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 53 || May 29 || 8:05p.m. CDT || @ Rockies || W 7âÂÂ6 || Hampton (7âÂÂ2) || Astacio (4âÂÂ7) || Wagner (14) || 2:59 || 48,325 || 33âÂÂ20 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 54 || May 30 || 3:06p.m. CDT || @ Rockies || L 3âÂÂ6 || Thomson (4âÂÂ5) || Schourek (2âÂÂ3) || Dipoto (12) || 2:55 || 48,036 || 33âÂÂ21 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 55 || May 31 || 2:06p.m. CDT || @ Rockies || L 5âÂÂ7 || McElroy (1âÂÂ1) || Henry (3âÂÂ2) || â || 2:40 || 48,097 || 33âÂÂ22 || L2 |-
|-style="background:#cfc;" | 56 || June 2 || || @ Padres || 4âÂÂ3 || Reynolds (6âÂÂ3) || Reyes (2âÂÂ2) || Wagner (15) ||2:43 || 15,735 || 34âÂÂ22 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 57 || June 3 || || @ Padres || 8âÂÂ2 || Bergman (5âÂÂ3) || Hamilton (3âÂÂ7) || â ||2:43 || 13,229 || 35âÂÂ22 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 58 || June 4 || || @ Padres || 1âÂÂ5 || Ashby (7âÂÂ4) || Hampton (7âÂÂ3) || â || 2:24|| 21,027 || 35âÂÂ23 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 59 || June 5 || || Royals || 0âÂÂ3 || Belcher (5âÂÂ6) || Schourek (2âÂÂ4) || Montgomery (10) ||2:36 || 27,895 || 35âÂÂ24 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 60 || June 6 || || Royals || 6âÂÂ0 || Lima (7âÂÂ2) || Rosado (1âÂÂ5) || â ||2:28 || 25,516 || 36âÂÂ24 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 61 || June 7 || || Royals || 7âÂÂ1 || Reynolds (7âÂÂ3) || Pittsley (0âÂÂ1) || â ||2:33 || 23,228 || 37âÂÂ24 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 62 || June 8 || || @ Tigers || 9âÂÂ5 || Henry (4âÂÂ2) || Jones (0âÂÂ2) || â ||3:28 || 11,767 || 38âÂÂ24 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 63 || June 9 || || @ Tigers || 5âÂÂ3 || Hampton (8âÂÂ3) || Jones (0âÂÂ3) || Wagner (16)||2:43 || 10,871 || 39âÂÂ24 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 64 || June 10 || || @ Tigers || 10âÂÂ3 || Schourek (3âÂÂ4) || Castillo (2âÂÂ5) || â ||2:35 || 11,471 || 40âÂÂ24 || W5 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 65 || June 12 || 6:05p.m. CDT || @ Reds || L 1âÂÂ8 || Remlinger (4âÂÂ7) || Lima (7âÂÂ3) || â || 2:23 || 21,310 || 40âÂÂ25 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 66 || June 13 || 6:05p.m. CDT || @ Reds || L 4âÂÂ7 || Klingenbeck (1âÂÂ1) || Reynolds (7âÂÂ4) || Shaw (18) || 2:50 || 28,055 || 40âÂÂ26 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 67 || June 14 || 12:15p.m. CDT || @ Reds || W 6âÂÂ3 || Wagner (1âÂÂ2) || Shaw (1âÂÂ4) || â || 3:23 || 22,008 || 41âÂÂ26 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 68 || June 15 || 6:06p.m. CDT || @ Reds || W 13âÂÂ2 || Magnante (3âÂÂ1) || Tomko (5âÂÂ6) || â || 2:56 || 14,556 || 42âÂÂ26 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 69 || June 16 || || Cardinals || 4âÂÂ9 || Acevedo (2âÂÂ1) || Schourek (3âÂÂ5) || â ||3:10 || 34,822 || 42âÂÂ27 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 70 || June 17 || || Cardinals || 6âÂÂ5 || Nitkowski (2âÂÂ2) || Brantley (0âÂÂ4) || â ||3:03 || 37,147 || 43âÂÂ27 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 71 || June 18 || || Cardinals || 6âÂÂ7 || Bottenfield (2âÂÂ3) || Reynolds (7âÂÂ5) || Croushore (1) ||3:05 || 43,806 || 43âÂÂ28 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 72 || June 19 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Reds || W 4âÂÂ2 || Bergman (6âÂÂ3) || Winchester (3âÂÂ4) || Wagner (17) || 2:38 || 29,251 || 44âÂÂ28 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 73 || June 20 || 12:18p.m. CDT || Reds || W 9âÂÂ8 || Nitkowski (3âÂÂ2) || Krivda (2âÂÂ1) || Wagner (18) || 3:13 || 24,301 || 45âÂÂ28 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 74 || June 21 || 1:35p.m. CDT || Reds || W 3âÂÂ1 || Schourek (4âÂÂ5) || Harnisch (6âÂÂ3) || Magnante (1) || 2:57 || 42,281 || 46âÂÂ28 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 75 || June 22 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Twins || L 3âÂÂ5 || Milton (4âÂÂ6) || Lima (7âÂÂ4) || Aguilera (15) || 2:42 || 23,168 || 46âÂÂ29 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 76 || June 23 || 12:36p.m. CDT || Twins || W 9âÂÂ0 || Reynolds (8âÂÂ5) || Tewksbury (4âÂÂ9) || â || 2:49 || 27,157 || 47âÂÂ29 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 77 || June 24 || 8:08p.m. CDT || @ Rockies || L 6âÂÂ8 || Astacio (5âÂÂ8) || Bergman (6âÂÂ4) || Veres (2) || 2:37 || 48,150 || 47âÂÂ30 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 78 || June 25 || 2:06p.m. CDT || @ Rockies || L 5âÂÂ6 || Leskanic (4âÂÂ3) || Magnante (3âÂÂ2) || â || 3:39 || 48,046 || 47âÂÂ31 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 79 || June 26 || || @ Indians || 2âÂÂ4 || Colon (8âÂÂ4) || Magnante (3âÂÂ3) || Jackson (17) ||2:58 || 43,222 || 47âÂÂ32 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 80 || June 27 || || @ Indians || 9âÂÂ5 || Wagner (2âÂÂ2) || Mesa (3âÂÂ4) || â ||3:53 || 43,132 || 48âÂÂ32 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 81 || June 28 || || @ Indians || 12âÂÂ3 || Reynolds (9âÂÂ5) || Nagy (7âÂÂ4) || Nitkowski (3) ||3:12 || 43,047 || 49âÂÂ32 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 82 || June 30 || || White Sox || 17âÂÂ2 || Bergman (7âÂÂ4) || Navarro (6âÂÂ10) || â ||2:30 || 26,400 || 50âÂÂ32 || W3 |-
|-style="background:#cfc;" | 83 || July 1 || || White Sox || 10âÂÂ4 || Schourek (5âÂÂ5) || Parque (2âÂÂ2) || â ||2:54 || 29.050 || 51âÂÂ32 || W4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 84 || July 2 || || White Sox || 3âÂÂ4 || Baldwin (3âÂÂ3) || Lima (7âÂÂ5) || Simas (4) ||2:25 || 25,344 || 51âÂÂ33 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 85 || July 3 || || Diamondbacks || 6âÂÂ5 || Reynolds (10âÂÂ5) || Benes (6âÂÂ9) || Wagner (19) ||2:56 || 34,382 || 52âÂÂ33 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 86 || July 4 || || Diamondbacks || 4âÂÂ7 || Anderson (6âÂÂ7) || Hampton (8âÂÂ4) || â ||2:50 || 31,477 || 52âÂÂ34 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 87 || July 5 || || Diamondbacks || 5âÂÂ2 || Bergman (8âÂÂ4) || Blair (3âÂÂ12) || Wagner (20) ||3:22 || 23,607 || 53âÂÂ34 || W1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbcaff;" | colspan="12" | 69th All-Star Game in Denver, Colorado |-style="background:#cfc;" | 88 || July 9 || || @ Cardinals || 5âÂÂ4 || Reynolds (11âÂÂ5) || Stottlemyre (9âÂÂ7) || Wagner (21) ||2:52 || 34,398 || 54âÂÂ34 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 89 || July 10 || || @ Cardinals || 3âÂÂ6 || King (2âÂÂ0) || Nitkowski (3âÂÂ3) || Brantley (13) ||2:31 || 44,655 || 54âÂÂ35 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 90 || July 11 || || @ Cardinals || 3âÂÂ4 || Painter (3âÂÂ0) || Wagner (2âÂÂ3) || â ||3:01 || 45,760 || 54âÂÂ36 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 91 || July 12 || || @ Cardinals || 4âÂÂ6 || Acevedo (4âÂÂ2) || Bergman (8âÂÂ5) || Croushore (4) ||2:42 || 45,485 || 54âÂÂ37 || L3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 92 || July 13 || || @ Diamondbacks || 3âÂÂ5 || Telemaco (3âÂÂ3) || Schourek (5âÂÂ6) || Olson (12) ||2:53 || 40,007 || 54âÂÂ38 || L4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 93 || July 14 || || @ Diamondbacks || 4âÂÂ2 || Reynolds (12âÂÂ5) || Daal (3âÂÂ5) || Wagner (22) ||2:45 || 40,419 || 55âÂÂ38 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 94 || July 15 || || @ Diamondbacks || 8âÂÂ9 || Embree (3âÂÂ0) || Magnante (3âÂÂ4) || â || 4:00|| 42,229 || 55âÂÂ39 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 95 || July 17 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Giants || W 10âÂÂ7 || Lima (8âÂÂ5) || Rueter (10âÂÂ5) || â || 2:44 || 40,709 || 56âÂÂ39 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 96 || July 18 || 3:07p.m. CDT || Giants || W 7âÂÂ2 || Bergman (9âÂÂ5) || Darwin (6âÂÂ7) || â || 2:43 || 35,257 || 57âÂÂ39 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 97 || July 19 || 1:35p.m. CDT || Giants || W 4âÂÂ3 || Henry (5âÂÂ2) || Nen (6âÂÂ2) || â || 3:47 || 32,900 || 58âÂÂ39 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 98 || July 20 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Rockies || W 10âÂÂ9 || Henry (6âÂÂ2) || Veres (0âÂÂ1) || â || 3:17 || 25,491 || 59âÂÂ39 || W4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 99 || July 21 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Rockies || L 0âÂÂ5 || Brownson (1âÂÂ0) || Hampton (8âÂÂ5) || â || 2:10 || 28,718 || 59âÂÂ40 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 100 || July 22 || 9:37p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || L 4âÂÂ6 || Bohanon (3âÂÂ6) || Lima (8âÂÂ6) || Shaw (28) || 2:30 || 31,365 || 59âÂÂ41 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 101 || July 23 || 9:07p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || W 8âÂÂ6 || Henry (7âÂÂ2) || Hall (0âÂÂ2) || Powell (4) || 3:38 || 40,205 || 60âÂÂ41 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 102 || July 24 || || @ Padres || 2âÂÂ1 || Schourek (6âÂÂ6) || Hitchcock (4âÂÂ4) || Magnante (2) ||2:34 || 31,047 || 61âÂÂ41 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 103 || July 25 || || @ Padres || 5âÂÂ6 || Langston (4âÂÂ3) || Reynolds (12âÂÂ6) || Hoffman (33) ||3:04 || 54,176 || 61âÂÂ42 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 104 || July 26 || || @ Padres || 4âÂÂ5 || Wall (4âÂÂ2) || Magnante (3âÂÂ5) || â ||3:06 || 41,034 || 61âÂÂ43 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 105 || July 27 || || Marlins || 9âÂÂ1 || Lima (9âÂÂ6) || Meadows (9âÂÂ8) || â ||2:15 || 20,888 || 62âÂÂ43 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 106 || July 28 || || Marlins || 7âÂÂ3 || Bergman (10âÂÂ5) || Ojala (1âÂÂ1) || â ||2:47 || 26,220 || 63âÂÂ43 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 107 || July 29 || || Marlins || 10âÂÂ6 || Schourek (7âÂÂ6) || Larkin (2âÂÂ6) || Elarton (1) ||2:45 || 21,870 || 64âÂÂ43 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 108 || July 30 || || Marlins || 3âÂÂ4 || Hernandez (9âÂÂ7) || Reynolds (12âÂÂ7) || â ||2:35 || 33,303 || 64âÂÂ44 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 109 || July 31 || || @ Pirates || 7âÂÂ4 || Hampton (9âÂÂ5) || Cordova (9âÂÂ9) || Henry (2) ||3:00 || 32,476 || 65âÂÂ44 || W1 |-
|-style="background:#cfc;" | 110 || August 1 || || @ Pirates || 2âÂÂ1 || Lima (10âÂÂ6) || Williams (2âÂÂ1) || â ||2:49 || 19,783 || 66âÂÂ44 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 111 || August 2 || || @ Pirates || 6âÂÂ2 || Johnson (10âÂÂ10) || Christiansen (1âÂÂ2) || Elarton (2) ||2:35 || 21,201 || 67âÂÂ44 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 112 || August 3 || || @ Marlins || 3âÂÂ11 || Larkin (3âÂÂ6) || Bergman (10âÂÂ6) || Mantei (5) ||3:25 || 14,484 || 67âÂÂ45 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 113 || August 4 || || @ Marlins || 9âÂÂ5 || Reynolds (13âÂÂ7) || Hernandez (9âÂÂ8) || â ||3:19 || 14,586 || 68âÂÂ45 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 114 || August 5 || || @ Marlins || 3âÂÂ5 || Sanchez (5âÂÂ6) || Hampton (9âÂÂ6) || Mantei (6) ||2:46 || 19,038 || 68âÂÂ46 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 115 || August 7 || || Phillies || 9âÂÂ0 || Johnson (11âÂÂ10) || Welch (0âÂÂ2) || â ||2:21 || 52,071 || 69âÂÂ46 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 116 || August 8 || || Phillies || 7âÂÂ6 || Henry (8âÂÂ2) || Leiter (6âÂÂ3) || â ||2:52 || 42,523 || 70âÂÂ46 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 117 || August 9 || || Phillies || 11âÂÂ2 || Reynolds (14âÂÂ7) || Beech (3âÂÂ9) || â ||2:54 || 28,651 || 71âÂÂ46 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 118 || August 10 || || Brewers || 5âÂÂ2 || Elarton (1âÂÂ0) || Fox (0âÂÂ3) || Wagner (23) ||2:32 || 18,995 || 72âÂÂ46 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 119 || August 11 || || Brewers || 6âÂÂ5 || Magnante (4âÂÂ5) || Plunk (3âÂÂ2) || â ||3:30 || 20,553 || 73âÂÂ46 || W5 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 120 || August 12 || || Brewers || 3âÂÂ0 || Johnson (12âÂÂ10) || Woodall (5âÂÂ7) || â ||2:39 || 40,217 || 74âÂÂ46 || W6 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 121 || August 13 || || Brewers || 6âÂÂ2 || Lima (11âÂÂ6) || Woodard (9âÂÂ7) || â ||2:20 || 21,218 || 75âÂÂ46 || W7 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 122 || August 14 || || Cubs || 4âÂÂ6 || Clark (7âÂÂ11) || Reynolds (14âÂÂ8) || Beck (35) ||2:53 || 45,040 || 75âÂÂ47 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 123 || August 15 || || Cubs || 5âÂÂ4 || Wagner (3âÂÂ3) || Mulholland (3âÂÂ3) || â ||3:32 || 52,003 || 76âÂÂ47 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 124 || August 16 || || Cubs || 1âÂÂ2 || Karchner (3âÂÂ4) || Powell (4âÂÂ5) || Beck (36) ||3:15 || 52,199 || 76âÂÂ48 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 125 || August 17 || || @ Phillies || 0âÂÂ4 || Byrd (1âÂÂ0) || Johnson (12âÂÂ11) || â ||2:27 || 18,975 || 76âÂÂ49 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 126 || August 18 || || @ Phillies || 8âÂÂ2 || Lima (12âÂÂ6) || Grace (4âÂÂ6) || â ||2:58 || 17,541 || 77âÂÂ49 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 127 || August 19 || || @ Phillies || 4âÂÂ3 || Reynolds (15âÂÂ8) || Leiter (6âÂÂ4) || Wagner (24) ||2:44 || 21,341 || 78âÂÂ49 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 128 || August 20 || || @ Brewers || 5âÂÂ6 || Wickman (6âÂÂ6) || Magnante (4âÂÂ6) || â ||3:46 || 17,589 || 78âÂÂ50 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 129 || August 21 || || @ Brewers || 5âÂÂ2 || Bergman (11âÂÂ6) || Pulsipher (1âÂÂ1) || Powell (5) ||3:00 || 26,820 || 79âÂÂ50 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 130 || August 22 || || @ Cubs || 8âÂÂ3 || Johnson (13âÂÂ11) || Wengert (1âÂÂ3) || â ||3:00 || 39,886 || 80âÂÂ50 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 131 || August 23 || || @ Cubs || 13âÂÂ3 || Lima (13âÂÂ6) || Trachsel (13âÂÂ7) || â ||3:08 || 38,714 || 81âÂÂ50 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 132 || August 24 || || @ Cubs || 12âÂÂ3 || Reynolds (16âÂÂ8) || Clark (7âÂÂ12) || â ||2:58 || 34,711 || 82âÂÂ50 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 133 || August 25 || || Braves || 3âÂÂ2 || Hampton (10âÂÂ6) || Millwood (14âÂÂ8) || Wagner (25) ||2:24 || 32,157 || 83âÂÂ50 || W5 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 134 || August 26 || || Braves || 2âÂÂ6 || Smoltz (13âÂÂ2) || Bergman (11âÂÂ7) || â ||2:48 || 32,651 || 83âÂÂ51 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 135 || August 28 || || Pirates || 2âÂÂ0 || Johnson (14âÂÂ11) || Cordova (12âÂÂ11) || â ||2:23 || 40,709 || 84âÂÂ51 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 136 || August 29 || || Pirates || 6âÂÂ3 || Lima (14âÂÂ6) || Schmidt (11âÂÂ10) || Powell (6) ||2:39 || 41,762 || 85âÂÂ51 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 137 || August 30 || || Pirates || 11âÂÂ4 || Reynolds (17âÂÂ8) || McCurry (1âÂÂ3) || â ||3:12 || 25,342 || 86âÂÂ51 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 138 || August 31 || || @ Braves || 4âÂÂ3 || Powell (5âÂÂ5) || Smoltz (13âÂÂ3) || Wagner (26) ||2:43 || 33,883 || 87âÂÂ51 || W4 |-
|-style="background:#fcc;" | 139 || September 1 || || @ Braves || 4âÂÂ6 || Neagle (14âÂÂ11) || Elarton (1âÂÂ1) || Lightenberg (25) ||3:06 || 31,168 || 87âÂÂ52 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 140 || September 2 || || @ Braves || 4âÂÂ2 || Johnson (15âÂÂ11) || Maddux (17âÂÂ7) || Wagner (27) ||2:22 || 46,238 || 88âÂÂ52 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 141 || September 4 || || @ Diamondbacks || 1âÂÂ3 || Telemaco (6âÂÂ8) || Lima (14âÂÂ7) || Olson (26) ||2:27 || 41,396 || 88âÂÂ53 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 142 || September 5 || || @ Diamondbacks || 6âÂÂ5 || Wagner (4âÂÂ3) || Embree (4âÂÂ1) || â ||4:05 || 43,638 || 89âÂÂ53 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 143 || September 6 || || @ Diamondbacks || 10âÂÂ1 || Hampton (11âÂÂ6) || Daal (7âÂÂ10) || â ||3:02 || 44,076 || 90âÂÂ53 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 144 || September 7 || 4:06p.m. CDT || Reds || W 1âÂÂ0 || Johnson (16âÂÂ11) || Parris (4âÂÂ4) || â || 2:07 || 42,787 || 91âÂÂ53 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 145 || September 8 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Reds || W 13âÂÂ7 || Bergman (12âÂÂ7) || Bere (4âÂÂ8) || â || 3:13 || 16,574 || 92âÂÂ53 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 146 || September 9 || || Brewers || 6âÂÂ2 || Lima (15âÂÂ7) || Woodard (9âÂÂ11) || Wagner (28) ||2:29 || 24,462 || 93âÂÂ53 || W5 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 147 || September 10 || || Brewers || 7âÂÂ1 || Reynolds (18âÂÂ8) || Karl (9âÂÂ9) || â ||2:54 || 20,813 || 94âÂÂ53 || W6 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 148 || September 11 || || Cardinals || 8âÂÂ2 || Powell (6âÂÂ5) || Morris (5âÂÂ5) || â ||2:34 || 52,186 || 95âÂÂ53 || W7 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 149 || September 12 || || Cardinals || 3âÂÂ2 || Johnson (17âÂÂ11) || Oliver (9âÂÂ10) || Wagner (29) ||2:36 || 52,493 || 96âÂÂ53 || W8 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 150 || September 13 || || Cardinals || 2âÂÂ3 || Mercker (11âÂÂ11) || Bergman (12âÂÂ8) || Acevedo (9) ||2:40 || 52,338 || 96âÂÂ54 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 151 || September 14 || || Mets || 4âÂÂ7 || McMichael (4âÂÂ4) || Magnante (4âÂÂ7) || Franco (37) ||4:08 || 24,241 || 96âÂÂ55 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 152 || September 15 || || Mets || 6âÂÂ5 || Powell (7âÂÂ5) || Tam (1âÂÂ1) || â ||3:53 || â || 97âÂÂ55 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 153 || September 15 || || Mets || 4âÂÂ8 || Leiter (16âÂÂ5) || Powell (7âÂÂ6) || Wendell (3) ||3:19 || 40,835 || 97âÂÂ56 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 154 || September 16 || || Mets || 3âÂÂ4 || McMichael (5âÂÂ4) || Bergman (12âÂÂ9) || Wendell (4) ||4:05 || 24,269 || 97âÂÂ57 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 155 || September 18 || || @ Pirates || 5âÂÂ2 || Johnson (18âÂÂ11) || Dessens (2âÂÂ5) || Powell (7) ||2:47 || 16,937 || 98âÂÂ57 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 156 || September 19 || || @ Pirates || 1âÂÂ7 || Cordova (13âÂÂ13) || Lima (15âÂÂ8) || â ||2:21 || 20,670 || 98âÂÂ58 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 157 || September 20 || || @ Pirates || 2âÂÂ0 || Reynolds (19âÂÂ8) || Schmidt (11âÂÂ13) || Wagner (30) ||2:32 || 23,657 || 99âÂÂ58 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 158 || September 22 || || @ Cardinals || 0âÂÂ4 || Morris (7âÂÂ5) || Hampton (11âÂÂ7) || â ||2:15 || 40,739 || 99âÂÂ59 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 159 || September 23 || || @ Cardinals || 7âÂÂ1 || Johnson (19âÂÂ11) || Oliver (10âÂÂ11) || â ||3:05 || 38,997 || 100âÂÂ59 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 160 || September 25 || || Cubs || 6âÂÂ2 || Lima (16âÂÂ8) || Tapani (19âÂÂ9) || â ||2:38 || 51,831 || 101âÂÂ59 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 161 || September 26 || || Cubs || 2âÂÂ3 || Clark (9âÂÂ14) || Powell (7âÂÂ7) || Beck (50) ||2:50 || 51,950 || 101âÂÂ60 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 162 || September 27 || || Cubs || 4âÂÂ3 || Elarton (2âÂÂ1) || Beck (3âÂÂ4) || â ||3:30 || 51,916 || 102âÂÂ60 || W1 |-
|-style="background:#fcc;" | 1 || September 29 || 3:07p.m. CDT || Padres || L 1âÂÂ2 || Brown (1âÂÂ0) || Johnson (0âÂÂ1) || Hoffman (1) || 2:38 || 50,080 || SD 1âÂÂ0 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 2 || October 1 || 3:07p.m. CDT || Padres || W 5âÂÂ4 || Wagner (1âÂÂ0) || Miceli (0âÂÂ1) || â || 2:53 || 45,550 || Tied 1âÂÂ1 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 3 || October 3 || 10:07p.m. CDT || @ Padres || L 1âÂÂ2 || Miceli (1âÂÂ1) || Elarton (0âÂÂ1) || Hoffman (2) || 2:32 || 65,235 || SD 2âÂÂ1 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 4 || October 4 || 6:37p.m. CDT || @ Padres || L 1âÂÂ6 || Hitchcock (1âÂÂ0) || Johnson (0âÂÂ2) || â || 2:39 || 64,898 || SD 3âÂÂ1 || L2 |-
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; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
The Astros season ended by defeat in four games to the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, including losing two starts against Kevin Brown â one of the league's highest-accomplished pitchers that year â both by a 2âÂÂ1 score. As the Game 1 starter opposing Randy Johnson, Brown allowed no runs in eight innings and struck out 16 Astros, a career-high, and second to that point in MLB playoff history only to Bob Gibson's 17-strikeout performance in the 1968 World Series. Bagwell, Derek Bell, and Craig Biggio combined for six hits in 51 at bats in this series.