1996 Houston Astros season

35th season in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros March 2026 November 2013 Houston Astros 1996 National League Central The Astrodome Houston, Texas 82 80 y 2nd Drayton McLane, Jr. Gerry Hunsicker Terry Collins KTXHPrime Sports Southwest KILT (AM)(Bill Brown, Milo Hamilton, Larry Dierker, Vince Controneo, Bill Worrell)KXYZ(Francisco Ernesto Ruiz, Danny Gonzalez) The 1996 Houston Astros season was the 35th season for the Houston Astros, a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 32nd as the Astros, third in the NL Central division, and 32nd at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with a 76–68 record, in second-place and nine games behind the division-champion Cincinnati Reds, while having missed the playoffs by one game behind the Colorado Rockies in the NL Wild Card race. On April 1, pitcher Shane Reynolds made his first of five consecutive Opening Day starts for the Astros, who hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers but were defeated, 4–3. In the amateur draft, the Astros selected pitcher Mark Johnson in the first round, at 19th overall, and pitcher Roy Oswalt in the 23rd round. First baseman Jeff Bagwell and second baseman Craig Biggio represented the Astros for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game, the second for Bagwell, and fifth for Biggio. On September 29, the Astros retired Nolan Ryan's jersey number 34, where he pitched nine seasons. The Astros finished in second place in the NL Central with an 82–80 record, six games behind the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals. In the NL Wild Card race, the Astros ranked third, eight games behind the Dodgers. This was the Astros' fourth consecutive winning season—unprecedented in club history—and third consecutive with a second-place finish in the division. Following the season, Biggio won the Gold Glove Award, the third of his career, while relief pitcher Billy Wagner was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team. Offseason The Astros concluded the 1995 campaign with a final record of 76 68 y, for a second-place ranking in the National League (NL) Central division, 9 games behind the division-champion Cincinnati Reds. In the Wild Card chase, Houston finished as runners-up to the Colorado Rockies for the NL title by one game.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1995.shtml 1995 National League team statistics Baseball-Reference.com February 7, 2026 Hence, for the second straight campaign, the club finished within one game of a playoff berth, having last qualified in 1986. For the fourth consecutive arc, since 1992, Houston had concluded with a record of at least .500—unprecedented in any prior instance in franchise history—while also matching the 1979, 1980, and 1981 clubs with three successive winning campaigns for longest string of winning seasons in franchise annals.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ Houston Astros team history & encyclopedia Baseball-Reference.com October 25, 2025 The 1995 Astros also set club records for runs scored (747) and on-base percentage (.353 OBP), while posting the second-highest batting average to the 1994 squad (.278, .275).https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/batteam.shtml Houston Astros team yearly batting stats Baseball-Reference.com February 6, 2026 Moreover, second baseman Craig Biggio became the first Astro to be recognized with both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards in the same year on multiple occasions, and, the first Astro to win either award for the position at second base.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/silver_slugger-AND-gold_glove.shtml Silver and Gold Club: MLB players who won Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in same year Baseball Almanac February 7, 2026 Prior to this season, the Astros hired former pitcher Brent Strom as a coach, his first coaching stint for the Astros.https://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/S/Pstrob101.htm Brent Strom Retrosheet August 29, 2026 January 5, 1996: Anthony Young was signed as a free agent by the Astros.https://www.baseball-reference.com/y/youngan01.shtml Anthony Young stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 25, 2025 Regular season Summary April + Opening Day starting lineup Uniform Uniform number Player Position 19 Brian L. Hunter Center fielder 7 Craig Biggio Second baseman 5 Jeff Bagwell First baseman 14 Derek Bell Right fielder 16 Derrick May Left fielder 17 Sean Berry Third baseman 3 Rick Wilkins Catcher 24 Orlando Miller Shortstop 37 Shane Reynolds Pitcher Venue: Astrodome • Los Angeles 4, Houston 3 Sources:https://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199604010HOU Los Angeles Dodgers (4) vs Houston Astros (3) Baseball Almanac April 1, 1996 September 12, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1996-uniform-numbers.shtml 1996 Houston Astros uniform numbers Baseball-Reference.com September 24, 2025 The Astros hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers for Opening Day, April 1. Houston chose Shane Reynolds as the starting pitcher, while Los Angeles countered with Ramón Martínez. The Astros crossed the plate first as shortstop Orlando Miller singled in Sean Berry. Reynolds kept the Dodgers scoreless until the fifth, when Eric Karros singled home a run, and Todd Hollandsworth cleared the bases with a double. The Astros responded during the bottom of the sixth, when Jeff Bagwell led off with the club's first home run of the season, and Derrick May lifted a sacrifice fly which scored Derek Bell to reduce the Astros' deficit to 4–3. However, the score held as Reynolds took the defeat, while Martinez tossed a quality start to earn the victory.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU199604010.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers (4) vs Houston Astros (3) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 1, 1996 February 7, 2026 On April 6, Ken Caminiti of the San Diego Padres, hit his second career grand slam at the Astrodome against his former team. He became just the eighth player to hit multiple grand slams in the Astrodome.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1965&year_max=1999&event=23&type=b&criteria29=game_site---HOU02&criteria72=rob---111 Batting event finder HOU:58 Home Runs in 1965-1999—123–at HOU, Astrodome Stathead Sport Reference August 29, 2026 It was a clutch blast for San Diego, breaking a 4–4 tie in the top of the 13th inning. The Padres maintained the edge, winning 8–4.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU199604060.shtml San Diego Padres (8) vs Houston Astros (4) box score Baseball Reference April 6, 1996 September 5, 2026 May thumb|The Nolan Ryan Exhibit Center in Alvin, Texas. On May 7 against Philadelphia, Jeff Bagwell reached the 500th run batted in (RBI) of his career with two home runs and four RBI.https://www.mlb.com/player/jeff-bagwell-110432 Jeff Bagwell player page bio MLB.com February 28, 2016 By hitting his second upper-deck home run at Three Rivers Stadium on May 29 – it travelled 459 ft m – Bagwell joined longtime Pirate Willie Stargell as the only players to homer twice into the stadium's upper deck.http://www.chron.com/sports/slideshow/JEFF-BAGWELL-THROUGH-THE-YEARS-16947/photo-1201736.php Jeff Bagwell through the years (1996) Houston Chronicle January 4, 2011 February 17, 2016 Backup catcher Jerry Goff set a National League record and matched the MLB record on May 12 with six passed balls, tying Geno Petralli and Rube Vickers.Wood Brian May 12, 1996: Oh Henry! Expos' Rodriguez finds home run swing https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/may-12-1996-oh-henry-expos-rodriguez-finds-home-run-swing/ Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) October 26, 2017 September 18, 2025 Goff's miscues led to five unearned runs, allowing the Montreal Expos to defeat Houston, 7–6. At the plate, Goff homered and collected two hits;Houston Astros at Montreal Expos box score https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON199605120.shtml Baseball-Reference.com May 12, 1996 September 18, 2025 en however, in spite of his strong offensive performance, the Astros optioned him to the Triple-A Tucson Toros following the game. This turned out to be his last appearance in the major leagues.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/5/12/24428325/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - May 12 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation May 12, 2025 September 18, 2025 On May 24, Craig Biggio's two-run, ninth-inning blast tied the game and sent it into extra innings. Later, Astros outfielder John Cangelosi stroked a 10th-inning RBI single to finish off the Chicago Cubs for the 8–7 win.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/5/24/24436450/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - May 24 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation May 24, 2025 August 8, 2025 For the month of May, Bagwell batted .360 with .740 SLG, 10 HR, 31 RBI, scored 22 runs, and stole four bases. He was named NL Player of the Month, his fourth career monthly award.UPI http://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/03/Bagwell-captures-NL-Award-for-May/9370833774400/ Bagwell captures NL Award for May United Press International June 3, 1996 February 14, 2016 June On June 6, southpaw Billy Wagner notched a three-inning bout for the first time, going 3 1 3 total frames while surrendering three runs. Wagner struck out five.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/W/PX_wagnb001.htm Top performances for Billy Wagner Retrosheet March 9, 2026 On June 13, Sean Berry hit his second career grand slam, also his second as a pinch hitter.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=berryse01&t=b Sean Berry career home runs Baseball Reference October 10, 2026 He hit it during the fifth off Mark Leiter of the San Francisco Giants, cutting to 3–9 deficit to 7–9. Houston scored again in the top of the sixth inning to bring the score within one, but that was as close they came. The Giants scored thrice more to win, 12–9.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN199606130.shtml Houston Astros (8) vs San Francisco Giants (12) box score Baseball Almanac June 13, 1996 October 10, 2026 On June 14, Bagwell tied a major league record with four doubles in one game against the Giants.Rajan Greg http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Houston-athletes-own-some-interesting-records-6101205.php#photo-6750627 Houston athletes own some interesting records Houston Chronicle February 25, 2015 February 18, 2016 Bagwell's achievement was the first in the major leagues since former Astro Billy Hatcher on August 21, 1990, then as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_2b1.shtml MLB doubles records Baseball Almanac December 31, 2025 He joined Kevin Bass on June 27, 1987, as the second Houston Astro to slug four extra-base hits in a single game, also punishing San Francisco Giants pitching.The next Astro with four extra-bas hits in one game was Jose Altuve, on May 17, 2017. Criteria: For single games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring extra base hits ≥ 4, sorted by descending date.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-batting-game-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by=date&timeframe=seasons&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=4&cstat%5B1%5D=b_xbh&team_id=HOU Player batting game stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference December 31, 2025 Craig Biggio went deep and plated three, while Brian Hunter doubled and drove in three. Mike Hampton (5–3) tossed six sturdy innings while Billy Wagner closed out the final three frames for his first career save. Billy "The Kid" whiffed four of nine batters faced.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN199606140.shtml Houston Astros (9) vs San Francisco Giants (1) box score Baseball-Reference.com June 14, 1996 December 31, 2025 Billy Wagner whiffed a career-best seven on June 20, accounting for seven of eight total outs in an appearance of 2 2 3 innings. Wagner diffused two bases on balls and one safety with no runs surrendered. On June 25, Sean Berry hit a second grand slam in less than two weeks, at the time, tying a team record with two grand slams in one season.In 2016, George Springer became the first Astro to hit three grand slams in one season. Moreover, he became just the third Colt .45s/Astros player to hit two within a calendar month, succeeding Bob Aspromonte, (twice, in June 1964 and August 1966) and Bob Watson (September 1970).Two grand slams in one month remained the team record until Alex Bregman hit three in June 2023.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1962&team_id=HOU&event=23&type=b&criteria175=rob---111 Batting event finder HOU: 202 Home Runs in 1962-2026—123 Stathead Sport Reference August 13, 2026 It was Berry's third career grand slam and second against the Padres. July On July 24, pinch hitter Ray Montgomery connected for a tenth-inning walk-off home run off Ron Villone of the San Diego Padres, also scoring Ricky Gutiérrez.HOU: 3 home runs in 1996—walk-off lower-alpha "walk-off HR"https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1996&year_max=1996&team_id=HOU&event=23&type=b&criteria5=walk_off---T Batting event finder Stathead Sports Reference February 7, 2026 This was also Montgomery's first and only major league blast.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=montgra01&t=b Ray Montgomery career home runs Baseball-Reference.com February 7, 2026 James Mouton also went deep among three hits. The final score was Houston 6, San Diego 4.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU199607240.shtml San Diego Padres (4) vs Houston Astros (6) box score Baseball-Reference.com July 24, 1996 February 7, 2026 During the month of July, Houston claimed five triumphs via walk-off safeties.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1996&year_max=1996&team_id=HOU&event=modH&type=b&criteria5=walk_off---T Batting event finder—Baseball HOU: 12 hits in 1996—walk-off Stathead Sports Reference February 22, 2026 September With one month remaining in the season, the Astros held a 2 1 2-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals.Peters Ken https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VKIgAAAAIBAJ&pg=6415,462124&dq=terry+collins&hl=en Angels to name Terry Collins McCook Daily Gazette Associated Press November 4, 1996 October 25, 2025 However, the Astros lost 17 of their final 25 games—including a season-high nine-game losing streakhttps://www.mlb.com/astros/history/timeline Astros history – Timeline MLB.com August 30, 2025—and wound up losing the division lead, ultimately landing in second place and six games behind the first-place Cardinals. The Astros dismissed manager Terry Collins following the season. Retirement of Nolan Ryan's uniform number 34 thumb|200px|Houston Astros 1982 postcard of Nolan Ryan. During a pre-game ceremony on September 29, 1996—the final day of the regular season—the Astros retired Nolan Ryan's jersey number 34. During his tenure in Houston, the "Ryan Express" became the fourth major league pitcher to notch his 3,000th strikeout (July 4, 1980),Feinstein John John Feinstein https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1980/07/05/ryan-whiffs-3000th-loses/2920aeaf-7c20-4078-8121-d6cabb6216db/ Ryan whiffs 3,000th, loses The Washington Post July 4, 1980 November 29, 2025 subscription the first to whiff each of 4,000 (July 11, 1985) and 4,500 batters (September 9, 1987), tossed his record fifth no-hitter (September 25, 1981),McTaggart Brian https://www.mlb.com/news/houston-astros-retired-numbers-c300326268 Astros' all-time retired numbers MLB.com February 4, 2025 September 24, 2025 and earned his 250th career victory (August 27, 1986).Hulsey Bob https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/thisdate/index.html This date in Astros history Astros Daily November 30, 2025 In 282 games started with Astros, Ryan went 106–94 with a 3.13 earned run average (ERA), gaining two All-Star team selections while claiming two each of league ERA titles (1.69 in 1981, 2.76 in 1987) and strikeout titles (270 in 1987, 228 in 1988).https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanno01.shtml Nolan Ryan stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com September 25, 2025 Ryan became the first Astro to earn multiple ERA titles,https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/earned_run_avg_leagues.shtml Yearly league leaders & records for earned run average Baseball-Reference.com November 30, 2025 and just the second to lead in strikeouts multiple seasons, following J. R. Richard.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SO_p_leagues.shtml Yearly league leaders & records for strikeouts Baseball-Reference.com November 30, 2025 Ryan departed Houston as the Astros' career record holder for strikeouts (1,866), for most 10-K games with 53, as well having tossed the third 16-strikeout game in franchise history (September 9, 1987).https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/strikeouts.html The Strikeout Zone Astros Daily December 31, 2025 Ryan became the second major leaguer to have his jersey number retired by three teams on which they played, joining Frank Robinson.https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/16/sports/astros-retiring-ryan-s-no-34.html Astros retiring Ryan's no. 34 The New York Times Associated Press August 16, 1996 December 11, 2025 subscription To cap off the contest, catcher Tony Eusebio lined a double to left field to score James Mouton for a walk-off, 5–4 decision in ten innings over the Florida Marlins. This brought Houston to a winning record for the campaign at 82–80.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1996-schedule-scores.shtml 1996 Houston Astros schedule Baseball-Reference.com February 22, 2026 Performance overview With a final record of 82–80, the Astros increased their win total by six from the year prior, while their winning percentage dropped 0.022 points, a season shortened by a players' strike to 144 games. After their late-season collapse, the Astros produced a fifth consecutive season since 1992 with a record of at least .500—unprecedented in franchise history. The 1996 team was the fourth consecutive with a winning record, surpassing the 1979, 1980, 1981 clubs which set the prior record with three successive winning campaigns. The Astros maintained their consistency and extended this new record through the 1999 campaign. The Astros hoisted 12 victories via walk-off hit to lead the Major Leagues, and their most since 1992.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1962&team_id=HOU&event=modH&type=b&criteria5=walk_off---T Batting event finder—Baseball HOU: 413 hits in 1962–2025—walk-off Stathead Sports Reference February 22, 2026 Derek Bell led the club with three (April 2, July 20, and July 21). Meanwhile, Orlando Miller swatted two of Houston's three walk-off home runs, and was one of eight players in the Major Leagues to hit multiple such home runs.All: 64 home runs in 1996—walk-offhttps://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1996&year_max=1996&event=23&type=b&criteria5=walk_off---T Batting event finder Stathead Sports Reference February 7, 2026 Jeff Bagwell recorded the first of six successive campaigns of each of 100 runs scored, 30 doubles, 30 home runs, 100 RBI and 100 BB, through 2001, a Major League record.Just four other players had produced six or more total seasons meeting each of the criteria: Lou Gehrig (8); and Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Barry Bonds (6 each). Filtered for: Number of seasons player meets criteria, in the regular season: Requiring runs ≥ 100, doubles ≥ 30, home runs ≥ 30, runs batted in ≥ 100 and bases on balls ≥ 100, sorted by descending instances.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-batting-season-finder.cgi?request=1&match=player_season_count&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=30&cstat%5B1%5D=b_hr&ccomp%5B2%5D=gt&cval%5B2%5D=100&cstat%5B2%5D=b_rbi&ccomp%5B3%5D=gt&cval%5B3%5D=100&cstat%5B3%5D=b_bb&ccomp%5B4%5D=gt&cval%5B4%5D=100&cstat%5B4%5D=b_r&ccomp%5B5%5D=gt&cval%5B5%5D=30&cstat%5B5%5D=b_doubles Player batting season & career stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference March 1, 2026 Bagwell connected for 31 homers, while establishing single-season club records with 48 doubles and 120 RBI. Derek Bell, who drove home 113 runs, joined Bagwell to generate the first instance in which the club rostered multiple hitters with 100-plus RBI during the same season. Starting pitchers Shane Reynolds and Darryl Kile both struck out upward of 200 batters. It was the third season in franchise history that the Astros boasted at least two such hurlers (1969, 1987).Number of players that meet criteria in a season for a team, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring strikeouts ≥ 200, sorted by descending instances.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-season-finder.cgi?request=1&match=team_player_season_count&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=200&cstat%5B1%5D=p_so&team_id=HOU Player pitching season & career stats finder—baseball Stathead Sports Reference February 8, 2026 Biggio was recognized with the Gold Glove Award at second base for the third consecutive year. Among Astros Gold Glove winners, only César Cedeño and Doug Rader had won more (5 each, both consecutively).https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml MLB Gold Glove Award winners—National League Baseball-Reference.com October 25, 2025 Season standings Houston Astros Record vs. opponents HOU Game log Houston Astros 1994thru1999 1; 1996 Game Log: 82–80 (Home: 48–33; Away: 34–47) y Houston Astros 1994thru1999; April: 13–14 (Home: 5–8; Away: 8–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 1 || Dodgers || 3–4 || Martinez || Reynolds (0–1) || Worrell || 34,375 || 0–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 2 || April 2 || Dodgers || 5–4 || Jones (1–0) || Cummings || — || 20,492 || 1–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 3 || April 3 || Dodgers || 5–2 || Hampton (1–0) || Nomo || Jones (1) || 14,858 || 2–1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 5 || Padres || 4–10 || Tewksbury || Kile (0–1) || — || 28,629 || 2–2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 6 || Padres || 4–8 (13) || Hoffman || Small (0–1) || — || 24,510 || 2–3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 6 || April 7 || Padres || 2–17 || Bergman || Swindell (0–1) || — || 16,258 || 2–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 7 || April 8 || Giants || 6–2 || Hampton (2–0) || VanLandingham || — || 13,488 || 3–4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 9 || Giants || 1–3 (10) || Juden || Tabaka (0–1) || Beck || 13,588 || 3–5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 10 || Giants || 5–11 || Fernandez || Kile (0–2) || — || 14,183 || 3–6 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 10 || April 11 || @ Reds || 9–4 || Reynolds (1–1) || Portugal || — || 18,946 || 4–6 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 11 || April 12 || @ Reds || 10–8 (10) || Jones (2–0) || Moore || Tabaka (1) || 24,960 || 5–6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 14 || @ Reds || 3–5 || Schourek || Hampton (2–1) || Brantley || — || 5–7 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 13 || April 14 || @ Reds || 8–9 || Shaw || Young (0–1) || Brantley || 21,552 || 5–8 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 14 || April 16 || @ Mets || 9–6 || Reynolds (2–1) || Isringhausen || Jones (2) || 13,795 || 6–8 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 15 || April 17 || @ Mets || 7–5 || Kile (1–2) || Wilson || Jones (3) || 12,065 || 7–8 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 16 || April 19 || Reds || 13–5 || Brocail (1–0) || Schourek || — || 22,728 || 8–8 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 20 || Reds || 1–6 || Smiley || Drabek (0–1) || — || 34,098 || 8–9 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 18 || April 21 || Reds || 7–5 || Jones (3–0) || Brantley || — || 27,845 || 9–9 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 19 || April 22 || @ Giants || 11–8 || Reynolds (3–1) || Leiter || — || 8,867 || 10–9 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 20 || April 23 || @ Giants || 8–4 || Kile (2–2) || VanLandingham || — || 8,439 || 11–9 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || April 24 || @ Dodgers || 2–5 || Valdez || Brocail (1–1) || — || 26,666 || 11–10 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 25 || @ Dodgers || 4–6 || Nomo || Drabek (0–2) || Worrell || 33,530 || 11–11 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || April 26 || @ Padres || 2–3 || Worrell || Hampton (2–2) || Hoffman || 21,254 || 11–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 24 || April 27 || @ Padres || 6–0 || Reynolds (4–1) || Ashby || — || 38,309 || 12–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 25 || April 28 || @ Padres || 3–2 || Kile (3–2) || Bergman || Jones (4) || 27,208 || 13–12 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 26 || April 29 || @ Padres || 0–2 || Hamilton || Brocail (1–2) || — || 8,979 || 13–13 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || April 30 || Braves || 5–7 || Smoltz || Jones (3–1) || McMichael || 17,795 || 13–14 |- y Houston Astros 1994thru1999; May: 14–14 (Home: 7–6; Away: 7–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 28 || May 1 || Braves || 3–0 || Hampton (3–2) || Avery || — || 18,546 || 14–14 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 29 || May 3 || Expos || 4–1 || Reynolds (5–1) || Cormier || Jones (5) || 19,633 || 15–14 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 4 || Expos || 1–2 || Veres || Hernandez (0–1) || Rojas || 22,810 || 15–15 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 31 || May 5 || Expos || 0–5 || Fassero || Brocail (1–3) || — || 25,207 || 15–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 32 || May 6 || @ Phillies || 11–5 || Drabek (1–2) || Hunter || — || 15,906 || 16–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 33 || May 7 || @ Phillies || 7–5 || Young (1–1) || Springer || Jones (6) || 16,569 || 17–16 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 8 || @ Phillies || 1–2 (10) || Ryan || Tabaka (0–2) || — || 16,284 || 17–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 35 || May 9 || @ Expos || 11–4 || Kile (4–2) || Rueter || — || 12,470 || 18–17 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 10 || @ Expos || 2–5 || Fassero || Dougherty (0–1) || Rojas || 30,315 || 18–18 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 11 || @ Expos || 9–10 (13) || Dyer || Dougherty (0–2) || — || 26,084 || 18–19 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 38 || May 12 || @ Expos || 6–7 || Urbina || Hampton (3–3) || Rojas || 19,345 || 18–20 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 13 || @ Cubs || 0–6 || Trachsel || Reynolds (5–2) || — || 22,610 || 18–21 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 40 || May 14 || @ Cubs || 6–3 || Kile (5–2) || Navarro || Jones (7) || 17,562 || 19–21 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 41 || May 15 || @ Cubs || 7–5 || Wall (1–0) || Castillo || Jones (8) || 16,093 || 20–21 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || May 16 || @ Cubs || 1–13 || Telemaco || Drabek (1–3) || — || 15,902 || 20–22 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 43 || May 17 || Pirates || 4–2 || Reynolds (6–2) || Lieber || Jones (9) || 22,882 || 21–22 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 18 || Pirates || 1–2 (11) || Cordova || Young (1–2) || Plesac || 21,010 || 21–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 45 || May 19 || Pirates || 4–3 || Jones (4–1) || Lieber || — || 18,815 || 22–23 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 46 || May 20 || Cardinals || 3–5 || Osborne || Drabek (1–4) || — || 14,547 || 22–24 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || May 21 || Cardinals || 2–8 || Stottlemyre || Reynolds (6–3) || — || 17,935 || 22–25 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || May 22 || Cardinals || 2–5 || Benes || Kile (5–3) || Mathews || 15,353 || 22–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 49 || May 24 || Cubs || 8–7 (10) || Jones (5–1) || Patterson || — || 23,910 || 23–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 50 || May 25 || Cubs || 5–2 || Drabek (2–4) || Navarro || Jones (10) || 34,326 || 24–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 51 || May 26 || Cubs || 7–2 || Reynolds (7–3) || Castillo || — || 33,245 || 25–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 52 || May 27 || @ Pirates || 5–3 || Kile (6–3) || Smith || — || 8,906 || 26–26 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 53 || May 28 || @ Pirates || 5–6 || Miceli || Swindell (0–2) || Cordova || 7,182 || 26–27 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 54 || May 29 || @ Pirates || 7–4 || Morman (1–0) || Darwin || Jones (11) || 11,679 || 27–27 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 55 || May 31 || @ Cardinals || 4–6 || Osborne || Swindell (0–3) || Fossas || 37,625 || 27–28 |- y Houston Astros 1994thru1999; June: 15–12 (Home: 8–4; Away: 7–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 56 || June 1 || @ Cardinals || 4–5 (10) || Bailey || Hernandez (0–2) || — || 34,958 || 27–29 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 2 || @ Cardinals || 0–2 || Stottlemyre || Kile (6–4) || — || 32,703 || 27–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 58 || June 4 || Rockies || 16–8 || Hampton (4–3) || Thompson || — || 18,418 || 28–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 59 || June 5 || Rockies || 4–1 || Wall (2–0) || Reynoso || — || 14,954 || 29–30 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 60 || June 6 || Rockies || 7–14 || Ritz || Drabek (2–5) || — || 22,112 || 29–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 61 || June 7 || Phillies || 11–5 || Reynolds (8–3) || Crawford || — || 22,585 || 30–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 62 || June 8 || Phillies || 7–3 || Wagner (1–0) || Springer || — || 23,739 || 31–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 63 || June 9 || Phillies || 2–1 || Young (2–2) || Williams || Jones (12) || 30,180 || 32–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 64 || June 10 || @ Rockies || 10–9 || Wall (3–0) || Reynoso || — || 48,007 || 33–31 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 11 || @ Rockies || 5–7 || Alston || Young (2–3) || Ruffin || 48,014 || 33–32 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 66 || June 12 || @ Rockies || 0–8 || Freeman || Reynolds (8–4) || — || 48,024 || 33–33 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 67 || June 13 || @ Giants || 8–12 || Leiter || Kile (6–5) || — || 10,527 || 33–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 68 || June 14 || @ Giants || 9–1 || Hampton (5–3) || VanLandingham || Wagner (1) || 10,758 || 34–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 69 || June 15 || @ Giants || 4–3 || Wall (4–0) || Watson || Jones (13) || 18,530 || 35–34 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 70 || June 16 || @ Giants || 7–8 || DeLucia || Morman (1–1) || — || 27,624 || 35–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 71 || June 17 || Reds || 5–4 || Young (3–3) || Shaw || Jones (14) || 24,977 || 36–35 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 18 || Reds || 4–6 (10) || Brantley || Hernandez (0–3) || — || 20,505 || 36–36 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 73 || June 19 || Reds || 7–10 || Portugal || Hampton (5–4) || Brantley || 38,218 || 36–37 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 74 || June 20 || @ Dodgers || 4–2 || Wall (5–0) || Nomo || Jones (15) || 49,656 || 37–37 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 75 || June 21 || @ Dodgers || 11–3 || Drabek (3–5) || Candiotti || — || 33,273 || 38–37 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || June 22 || @ Dodgers || 0–3 || Martinez || Reynolds (8–5) || — || 37,844 || 38–38 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || June 23 || @ Dodgers || 3–4 || Worrell || Hernandez (0–4) || — || 35,467 || 38–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 78 || June 25 || @ Padres || 9–4 || Jones (6–1) || Sanders || — || 13,458 || 39–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 79 || June 26 || @ Padres || 4–3 || Wall (6–0) || Worrell || Wagner (2) || 12,388 || 40–39 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 80 || June 28 || Mets || 2–7 || Clark || Drabek (3–6) || Henry || 24,569 || 40–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 81 || June 29 || Mets || 9–1 || Reynolds (9–5) || Person || — || 35,454 || 41–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 82 || June 30 || Mets || 9–3 || Kile (7–5) || Isringhausen || — || 35,981 || 42–40 |- y Houston Astros 1994thru1999; July: 15–12 (Home: 10–3; Away: 5–9) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 83 || July 1 || Marlins || 6–2 || Hampton (6–4) || Brown || — || 18,513 || 43–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 84 || July 2 || Marlins || 4–3 (12) || Johnstone (1–0) || Mathews || — || 18,897 || 44–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 85 || July 3 || Marlins || 4–3 || Drabek (4–6) || Leiter || Jones (16) || 24,537 || 45–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 86 || July 4 || @ Braves || 5–2 || Reynolds (10–5) || Smoltz || Hernandez (1) || 49,060 || 46–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 87 || July 5 || @ Braves || 7–1 || Kile (8–5) || Schmidt || — || 36,896 || 47–40 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 6 || @ Braves || 2–4 || Bielecki || Hampton (6–5) || — || 41,619 || 47–41 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 89 || July 7 || @ Braves || 1–9 || Maddux || Wall (6–1) || — || 28,716 || 47–42 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 90 || July 11 || @ Mets || 2–8 || Clark || Drabek (4–7) || — || 18,557 || 47–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 91 || July 12 || @ Mets || 3–1 || Reynolds (11–5) || Jones || Wagner (3) || 17,405 || 48–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 92 || July 14 || @ Mets || 7–5 (11) || Hernandez (1–4) || Mlicki || Jones (17) || — || 49–43 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 93 || July 14 || @ Mets || 3–10 || Harnisch || Hampton (6–6) || — || 33,505 || 49–44 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 94 || July 15 || @ Marlins || 5–15 || Pall || Wall (6–2) || — || 15,807 || 49–45 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 95 || July 16 || @ Marlins || 2–3 || Perez || Jones (6–2) || — || 15,610 || 49–46 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 96 || July 17 || @ Marlins || 2–11 || Leiter || Reynolds (11–6) || — || 16,345 || 49–47 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || July 18 || Braves || 2–3 || Smoltz || Jones (6–3) || Wohlers || 35,822 || 49–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 98 || July 19 || Braves || 7–6 || Kile (9–5) || Woodall || Wagner (4) || 39,090 || 50–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 99 || July 20 || Braves || 2–1 || Wagner (2–0) || Maddux || — || 49,674 || 51–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 100 || July 21 || Braves || 4–3 (10) || Hernandez (2–4) || McMichael || — || 45,561 || 52–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 101 || July 22 || Padres || 1–0 || Reynolds (12–6) || Hamilton || Wagner (5) || 21,563 || 53–48 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 102 || July 23 || Padres || 4–7 || Sanders || Hampton (6–7) || Hoffman || 19,620 || 53–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 103 || July 24 || Padres || 6–4 (10) || Hernandez (3–4) || Villone || — || 19,168 || 54–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 104 || July 26 || Dodgers || 4–3 || Darwin (1–0) || Guthrie || Wagner (6) || 27,089 || 55–49 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 105 || July 27 || Dodgers || 5–6 (11) || Osuna || Clark (0–1) || Worrell || 36,841 || 55–50 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 106 || July 28 || Dodgers || 3–2 || Darwin (2–0) || Eischen || — || 32,912 || 56–50 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 107 || July 29 || @ Reds || 2–1 || Hampton (7–7) || Portugal || Wagner (7) || 22,163 || 57–50 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 108 || July 30 || @ Reds || 4–5 (10) || Shaw || Clark (0–2) || — || 27,015 || 57–51 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 109 || July 31 || @ Reds || 0–10 || Smiley || Wall (6–3) || — || 26,082 || 57–52 |- y Houston Astros 1994thru1999; August: 17–11 (Home: 10–7; Away: 7–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 110 || August 2 || Giants || 5–1 || Drabek (5–7) || Gardner || Hernandez (2) || 22,682 || 58–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 111 || August 3 || Giants || 4–1 || Reynolds (13–6) || Estes || — || 35,930 || 59–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 112 || August 4 || Giants || 7–6 || Hampton (8–7) || Fernandez || Wagner (8) || 33,646 || 60–52 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 113 || August 6 || Expos || 5–7 || Fassero || Kile (9–6) || Rojas || 17,658 || 60–53 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 114 || August 7 || Expos || 5–13 || Leiter || Wall (6–4) || — || 19,703 || 60–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 115 || August 8 || Expos || 6–2 || Drabek (6–7) || Martinez || — || 26,632 || 61–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 116 || August 9 || @ Phillies || 5–1 || Reynolds (14–6) || West || — || 21,780 || 62–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 117 || August 10 || @ Phillies || 3–1 || Hampton (9–7) || Schilling || Wagner (9) || 18,486 || 63–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 118 || August 11 || @ Phillies || 10–5 || Kile (10–6) || Williams || — || 24,150 || 64–54 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 119 || August 12 || @ Expos || 1–8 || Leiter || Darwin (2–1) || — || 35,458 || 64–55 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 120 || August 13 || @ Expos || 4–7 || Martinez || Drabek (6–8) || Rojas || 17,103 || 64–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 121 || August 14 || @ Expos || 8–3 || Reynolds (15–6) || Cormier || — || 19,136 || 65–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 122 || August 16 || @ Cubs || 8–3 || Hampton (10–7) || Castillo || — || 37,139 || 66–56 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 123 || August 17 || @ Cubs || 3–12 || Trachsel || Kile (10–7) || — || 39,775 || 66–57 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 124 || August 18 || @ Cubs || 8–10 || Navarro || Brocail (1–4) || Wendell || 37,210 || 66–58 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 125 || August 19 || Pirates || 2–1 (13) || Morman (2–1) || Morel || — || 15,067 || 67–58 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 126 || August 20 || Pirates || 9–4 || Wall (7–4) || Miceli || Hernandez (3) || 19,866 || 68–58 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 127 || August 21 || Pirates || 2–5 || Neagle || Hampton (10–8) || Ericks || 13,357 || 68–59 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 128 || August 22 || Pirates || 6–8 || Wilkins || Wagner (2–1) || Ericks || 14,899 || 68–60 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 129 || August 23 || Cardinals || 0–1 || Osborne || Kile (10–8) || Eckersley || 35,554 || 68–61 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 130 || August 24 || Cardinals || 3–1 || Reynolds (16–6) || Stottlemyre || — || 43,258 || 69–61 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 131 || August 25 || Cardinals || 4–1 || Wall (8–4) || Benes || Hernandez (4) || 31,609 || 70–61 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 132 || August 26 || Cardinals || 2–3 || Benes || Hampton (10–9) || Eckersley || 21,624 || 70–62 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 133 || August 27 || Cubs || 6–5 || Morman (3–1) || Adams || Hernandez (5) || 15,374 || 71–62 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 134 || August 28 || Cubs || 5–4 || Olson (1–0) || Bottenfield || — || 18,026 || 72–62 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 135 || August 29 || Cubs || 3–4 || Navarro || Reynolds (16–7) || Wendell || 16,151 || 72–63 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 136 || August 30 || @ Pirates || 10–0 || Wall (9–4) || Peters || — || 24,619 || 73–63 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 137 || August 31 || @ Pirates || 5–4 || Hernandez (4–4) || Ericks || Hudek (1) || 27,559 || 74–63 |- y Houston Astros 1994thru1999; September: 8–17 (Home: 8–5; Away: 0–12) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 138 || September 1 || @ Pirates || 5–9 || Wainhouse || Darwin (2–2) || — || 14,144 || 74–64 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 139 || September 2 || @ Cardinals || 7–8 (10) || Benes || Brocail (1–5) || — || 32,955 || 74–65 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 140 || September 3 || @ Cardinals || 3–12 || Stottlemyre || Reynolds (16–8) || — || 23,955 || 74–66 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 141 || September 4 || @ Cardinals || 4–6 || Benes || Wall (9–5) || Eckersley || 34,891 || 74–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 142 || September 6 || Rockies || 2–1 || Hernandez (5–4) || Leskanic || — || 20,932 || 75–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 143 || September 7 || Rockies || 5–4 || Kile (11–8) || Holmes || Hudek (2) || 37,213 || 76–67 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 144 || September 8 || Rockies || 2–5 || Reed || Reynolds (16–9) || Ruffin || 31,316 || 76–68 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 145 || September 9 || Rockies || 2–4 || Ritz || Wall (9–6) || Ruffin || 13,833 || 76–69 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 146 || September 10 || Phillies || 4–3 || Morman (4–1) || Schilling || Hernandez (6) || 12,700 || 77–69 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 11 || Phillies || 8–10 || Parrett || Holt (0–1) || Bottalico || 17,300 || 77–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 148 || September 12 || Phillies || 4–1 || Kile (12–8) || Williams || — || 16,103 || 78–70 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 149 || September 13 || @ Rockies || 3–6 || Holmes || Hernandez (5–5) || Ruffin || 48,049 || 78–71 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 150 || September 14 || @ Rockies || 3–7 || Ritz || Wall (9–7) || — || 48,132 || 78–72 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 151 || September 15 || @ Rockies || 4–11 || Thompson || Drabek (6–9) || — || 48,038 || 78–73 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 152 || September 17 || @ Braves || 4–5 || Smoltz || Kile (12–9) || Wohlers || 32,109 || 78–74 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 153 || September 18 || @ Braves || 2–6 || Maddux || Hampton (10–10) || — || 29,885 || 78–75 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 154 || September 20 || @ Marlins || 1–3 || Brown || Reynolds (16–10) || Nen || 21,518 || 78–76 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || September 21 || @ Marlins || 1–2 || Heredia || Wagner (2–2) || — || 31,023 || 78–77 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 156 || September 22 || @ Marlins || 0–6 || Helling || Kile (12–10) || — || 17,461 || 78–78 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 157 || September 24 || Mets || 0–4 || Jones || Wall (9–8) || — || 39,511 || 78–79 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 158 || September 25 || Mets || 5–4 (10) || Hudek (1–0) || Wallace || — || 15,760 || 79–79 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 159 || September 26 || Mets || 6–2 || Drabek (7–9) || Trlicek || — || 13,751 || 80–79 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 160 || September 27 || Marlins || 2–3 || Hutton || Kile (12–11) || Nen || 21,725 || 80–80 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 161 || September 28 || Marlins || 5–1 || Darwin (3–2) || Heredia || — || 21,832 || 81–80 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 162 || September 29 || Marlins || 5–4 (10) || Hudek (2–0) || Hammond || — || 42,658 || 82–80 |- |- | Legend:      #cfc = Win      #fbb = LossBold = Astros team member Detailed records National League Opponent W L WP RS Runs scored RA Runs against NL East Atlanta Braves 6 6 6 6 y 44 47 Florida Marlins 5 7 5 7 y 37 56 Montreal Expos 4 9 4 9 y 62 74 New York Mets 8 4 8 4 y 62 56 Philadelphia Phillies 10 2 10 2 y 73 42 Total 33 28 33 28 y 278 275 NL Central Chicago Cubs 8 5 8 5 y 67 76 Cincinnati Reds 6 7 6 7 y 73 78 Houston Astros Pittsburgh Pirates 8 5 8 5 y 65 51 St. Louis Cardinals 2 11 2 11 y 38 63 Total 24 28 24 28 y 243 268 NL West Colorado Rockies 5 8 5 8 y 63 85 Los Angeles Dodgers 6 6 6 6 y 49 44 San Diego Padres 6 6 6 6 y 45 60 San Francisco Giants 8 4 8 4 y 75 60 Total 25 24 25 24 y 232 249 Season Total 82 80 82 80 y 753 792 Month Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against April 27 13 14 13 14 y 143 151 May 28 14 14 14 14 y 126 128 June 27 15 12 15 12 y 161 137 July 27 15 12 15 12 y 97 128 August 28 17 11 17 11 y 139 121 September 25 8 17 8 17 y 87 127 Total 162 82 80 82 80 y 753 792 Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against Home 81 48 33 48 33 y 364 347 Away 81 34 47 34 47 y 389 445 Total 162 82 80 82 80 y 753 792 Notable transactions June 3, 1996: Greg Swindell was released by the Astros.https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/swindgr01.shtml Greg Swindell stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 25, 2025 July 23, 1996: Rich Loiselle was traded by the Astros to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Danny Darwin.https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/darwida01.shtml Danny Darwin stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 25, 2025 July 27, 1996: Rick Wilkins and cash were traded by the Astros to the San Francisco Giants for Kirt Manwaring.https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/manwaki01.shtml Kirt Manwaring stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 30, 2025 Roster 1996 Houston Astros Roster Pitchers 46 Doug Brocail 52 Terry Clark 44 Danny Darwin 49 Jim Dougherty 15 Doug Drabek 10 Mike Hampton 58 Dean Hartgraves 31 Xavier Hernandez 45 Chris Holt 35 John Hudek 39 John Johnstone 59 Todd Jones 57 Darryl Kile 51 Alvin Morman 30 Gregg Olson 37 Shane Reynolds 36 Mark Small 21 Greg Swindell 31,41 Jeff Tabaka 13 Billy Wagner 56 Donne Wall 22,99 Anthony Young Catchers 20 Tony Eusebio  9 Jerry Goff  9 Randy Knorr  3 Kirt Manwaring  3 Rick Wilkins Infielders  5 Jeff Bagwell 17 Sean Berry  7 Craig Biggio 22 Andújar Cedeño 12 Ricky Gutiérrez 4,30 Dave Hajek 24 Orlando Miller 28 Bill Spiers Outfielders 29 Bobby Abreu 14 Derek Bell 27 John Cangelosi 19 Brian Hunter 16 Derrick May 21 Ray Montgomery  6 James Mouton 23 Mike Simms Manager  2 Terry Collins Coaches 48 Matt Galante (third base) 55 Steve Henderson (hitting)  1 Julio Linares (bench) 42 Brent Strom (pitching) 18 Rick Sweet (first base) 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 Rick Wilkins 84 254 54 .213 6 23 1B Jeff Bagwell 162 568 179 .315 31 120 2B Craig Biggio 162 605 174 .288 15 75 SS Orlando Miller 139 468 120 .256 15 58 3B Sean Berry 132 431 121 .281 17 95 LF Derrick May 109 259 65 .251 5 33 CF Brian Hunter 132 526 145 .276 5 35 RF Derek Bell 158 627 165 .263 17 113 Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI James Mouton 122 300 79 .263 3 34 John Cangelosi 108 262 69 .263 1 16 Ricky Gutiérrez 89 218 62 .284 1 15 Bill Spiers 122 218 55 .252 6 26 Tony Eusebio 58 152 41 .270 1 19 Randy Knorr 37 87 17 .195 1 7 Kurt Manwaring 37 82 18 .220 0 4 Mike Simms 49 68 12 .176 1 8 Bobby Abreu 15 22 5 .227 0 1 Ray Montgomery 12 14 3 .214 1 4 Dave Hajek 8 10 3 .300 0 0 Jerry Goff 1 4 2 .500 1 2 Andújar Cedeño 3 2 0 .000 0 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Shane Reynolds 35 239.0 16 10 3.65 204 Darryl Kile 35 219.0 12 11 4.19 219 Doug Drabek 30 175.1 7 9 4.57 137 Mike Hampton 27 160.1 10 10 3.59 101 Donne Wall 26 150.0 9 8 4.56 99 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Doug Brocail 23 53.0 1 5 4.58 34 Danny Darwin 15 42.1 3 2 5.95 27 Greg Swindell 8 23.0 0 3 7.83 15 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Todd Jones 51 6 3 17 4.40 44 Xavier Hernandez Xavier Hernandez (baseball) 58 5 5 6 4.22 78 Alvin Morman 53 4 1 0 4.93 31 Billy Wagner 37 2 2 9 2.44 67 Anthony Young Anthony Young (baseball) 28 3 3 0 4.59 19 Dean Hartgraves 19 0 0 0 5.21 16 Jeff Tabaka 18 0 2 1 6.64 18 Mark Small 16 0 1 0 5.92 16 John Hudek 15 2 0 2 2.31 14 Jim Dougherty 12 0 2 0 9.00 6 John Johnstone 9 1 0 0 5.54 5 Gregg Olson 9 1 0 0 4.82 8 Terry Clark 5 0 2 0 11.37 5 Chris Holt 4 0 1 0 5.79 0 Major League Baseball draft 1996 Major League Baseball draft Houston Astros 1996 MLB draft selections Rd. Round Slot Draftee Position Position drafted as School Origin Birthplace by U.S. state, Canadian province, or nationality Signed Signing status Notes Bio Biography & career statistics 1 19 Mark Johnson pitcher 1 Right-handed pitcher Hawaii Ohio Y MLB debut on April 7, 2000 with the Detroit Tigers "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma05.shtml Mark Johnson stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 2 54 John Huber 1 1 Right-handed pitcher Lakota West High Ohio Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=huber-001joh John Huber minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 3 84 Brandon Byrd 1 5 Third baseman Trinity Presbyterian Alabama Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=byrd--001bra Brandon Byrd minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 4 114 Bryan Braswell 1 1.1 Left-handed pitcher Toledo Ohio Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=braswe001ron Bryan Brawsell minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 5 144 Tucker Barr 1 2 Catcher Georgia Tech Alabama Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=barr--001jon Tucker Barr minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 6 174 Mike Wheeler 1 6 Shortstop Oak Hills High Ohio Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wheele001mic Mike Wheeler minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 7 204 Esteban Maldonado 1 1 Right-handed pitcher Lambuth Puerto Rico Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=maldon001est Esteban Maldonado minor & independent leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 8 234 Jason Hill 1 2 Catcher Mt. San Antonio California Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hill--002jas Jason Hill minor & independent leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 9 264 Brian Dallimore 4 Second baseman Stanford Nevada Y MLB debut on April 29, 2004, for the San Francisco Giants "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dallibr01.shtml Brian Dallimore stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 5, 2026 10 294 John Blackmore 1 1 Right-handed pitcher Plainville High Connecticut Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=blackm001joh John Blackmore minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 20 594 Wade Miller 1 Right-handed pitcher Brandywine Heights HS Pennsylvania Y MLB debut on July 7, 1999, with Houston "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/millewa04.shtml Wade Miller stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 11, 2026 23 684 Roy Oswalt 1 Right-handed pitcher Holmes CC Mississippi Y MLB debut on May 6, 2001, with Houston "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/o/oswalro01.shtml Roy Oswalt stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 25, 2025 25 744 Paul Phillips baseball 2 Catcher Meridian CC Alabama N Signed with the Kansas City Royals from the 1998 draft. "Re-entry"MLB debut on September 9, 2004, with Kansas City "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/phillpa01.shtml Paul Phillips stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 11, 2026 29 864 Tom Shearn 1 Right-handed pitcher Briggs High Ohio Y MLB debut on August 26, 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shearto01.shtml Tom Shearn stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 11, 2026 32 954 Trey Hodges 1 Right-handed pitcher Klein Oak High Texas N Signed with the Atlanta Braves from the 2000 draft. "Re-entry"MLB debut on September 10, 2002, with Atlanta "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hodgetr01.shtml Trey Hodges stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 11, 2026 Sources:https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?team_ID=HOU&year_ID=1996&draft_type=junreg&query_type=franch_year&from_type_4y=0&from_type_unk=0&from_type_hs=0&from_type_jc=0 1996 Houston Astros picks in the MLB June amateur draft Baseball-Reference.com October 11, 2026 Awards and achievements Grand slams AstrosRet 34.PNG Nolan Ryan Houston Astros 34 September 29, 1996 No. Number hit by this team Date Astros batter Venue Inning Pitcher Opposing team Box Box score 1 June 13 Sean Berry 3Com Park at Candlestick Point 5Pinch hitter Mark Leiter San Francisco Giants 2 June 25 Jack Murphy Stadium 8 Doug Bochtler San Diego Padres Career honors Houston Astros uniform number retired—No. 34 Nolan Ryan, Pitcher • In Houston 1980–1988 • 282 games • 2× MLB All-Star Annual awards 1996 Houston Astros award winners Name of award Recipient Ref. References Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball Bob Watson McTaggart Brian http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou Bourn highlights Astros' awards season December 21, 2009 MLB.com October 26, 2025 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101208131739/http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou December 8, 2010 Gold Glove Award Second baseman Craig Biggio https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_gg2b.shtml Gold Glove second basemen Baseball Almanac October 25, 2025 Houston-Area Major League Player of the Year NYY Andy Pettitte Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jeff Bagwell Rookie of the Year Billy Wagner MLB All-Star Game Starting second baseman Craig Biggio Reserve first baseman Jeff Bagwell Home Run Derby contestant National League (NL) Player of the Month May Jeff Bagwell https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/player_of_the_month_award.shtml MLB Player of the Month Award Baseball Almanac October 10, 2025 The Sporting News NL All-Star First baseman: Jeff Bagwell https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bagweje01.shtml Jeff Bagwell stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com August 30, 2025 Topps All-Star Rookie Team Left-handed pitcher Billy Wagner Gonos David https://davidgonos.com/every-topps-all-star-rookie-cup-winner-in-baseball-card-history/ All Topps All-Star Rookie Cup winners in baseball card history DavidGonos.com January 30, 2025 September 19, 2026 Other awards results Name of award Voting recipient(s) (Team) Ref. References NL Cy Young 1st—Smoltz (ATL) • 9th—Reynolds (HOU) https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.shtml 1996 awards voting Baseball-Reference.com July 25, 2026 NL Manager of the Year 1st—Bochy (SD) • 6th—Collins (HOU) NL Most Valuable Player 1st—Caminiti (SD) • 9th—Bagwell (HOU) League leaders NL batting leaders Doubles: Jeff Bagwell (46) Games played: Jeff Bagwell & Craig Biggio (162) Hit by pitch: Craig Biggio (27—led MLB) NL fielding leaders Assists as RF: Derek Bell (16) Minor league system Minor League Baseball AAA Tucson Toros Pacific Coast League Tim Tolman AA Jackson Generals Texas League Dave Engle A Kissimmee Cobras Florida State League Alan Ashby A Quad Cities River Bandits Midwest League Jim Pankovits A-Short Season Auburn Doubledays New York–Penn League Manny Acta Rookie GCL Astros Gulf Coast League Bobby Ramos Championships Texas League champions: Jackson Awards Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year: Bobby Abreuhttps://thebaseballcube.com/content/player.asp?ID=1320&view=awards Bobby Abreu - MLB, Minor League Baseball statistics The Baseball Cube August 19, 2025 See also Texas Baseball List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders List of Major League Baseball retired numbers Notes MLB Re-entry References External links 1996 Houston Astros season at Baseball Reference Category:Houston Astros seasons Houston Astros season Category:1996 in sports in Texas Category:1996 in Houston