What happened today in team history?
1965 – First regular season win
Now that the season has started, the Colt .45s get the first regular season win in franchise history, defeating the New York Mets 7-6 in an 11-inning contest. Al Spangler scored the winning run for Houston on a steal home.
1985 – Pitching matchup for the ages
In a game between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, Astros’ Nolan Ryan toes up against Phillies’ Steve Carlton in what may be the greatest pitching matchup of all time. By the end, the Astros won 5-3 and Ryan sat 10-strikeouts ahead of Cartlton, 3,887 to 3,877.
What else happened on this day?
1910
27th President William Howard Taft starts a tradition when he becomes the first president in MLB history to throw a ceremonial first pitch on opening day.
1961
In their first game as a new franchise, the Washington Senators start off the record books with a win, beating the Cleveland Indians 3-2.
1968
As a member of the New York Mets and playing in the Astrodome, Nolan Ryan earns his first win on the mound, helping the Mets to a 4-0 win thanks to 6.2 shutout innings.