1981 Houston Astros season

1981 Houston Astros
National League West co-champions[a]
LeagueNational League
DivisionWest
BallparkAstrodome
CityHouston, Texas
Record
  • 1st half: 28–29 (.491)
  • 2nd half: 33–20 (.623)
  • Overall: 61–49 (.555)
Divisional place
  • 1st half: 3rd (8 GB)
  • 2nd half: 1st
OwnersJohn McMullen
General managersAl Rosen
ManagersBill Virdon
TelevisionKRIV–TV 26
(Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker)
RadioKENR–AM 1070
(Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker)

The 1981 Houston Astros season was the 20th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 17th as the Astros, 20th in the National League (NL), 13th in the NL West division, and 17th at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season as defending NL West division-champions with a 93–70 record for their first-ever division title and playoff appearance, ultimately losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980 National League Championship Series (NLCS).

On April 9 at Dodger Stadium, Joe Niekro made his first Opening Day start on the road for Houston, who were defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2–0. The Astros attained a record of 28–29, in third place and 8 games behind behind Los Angeles in the NL West until a players' strike interrupted the season, later classified as the season's first half. In the amateur draft, Houston's top selection was outfielder Curtis Burke in the third round.

With nearly one-third of the season eventually lost (52 games for Houston), a one-time modified format with a split regular season and a new opening round to the playoffs, the Division Series (DS), was introduced.[Note 1] Pitchers Bob Knepper (first career selection) and Nolan Ryan (sixth) represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game. The Astros acquired second baseman Phil Garner, another All-Star that year, after the event.

On September 26, Ryan pitched the seventh no-hitter in franchise history, a 5–0 victory over the Dodgers. The fifth no-hitter of Ryan's career, this surpassed Sandy Koufax for most in major league history.

Houston won the NL West in the second half with a loss by the Cincinnati Reds on October 3, the penultimate day of the season.[1] With a 33–20 record, the Astros claimed an NL West division title and advanced to the playoffs for the second consecutive season, to the first-ever National League Division Series (NLDS). Here, they faced the Dodgers, the NL West-division winners of the first half of the season. However, the Astros were defeated in five games, ending their season, and the Dodgers became World Series champions.

Following the season, Knepper was named The Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year, the first Houston Astros to win ths awards. Ryan led the major leagues in earned run average (1.69 ERA), the first time in his career winning the title.

Offseason

Regular season

Summary

April—May

Opening Day starting lineup[5][6]
21 Terry Puhl RF
12 Craig Reynolds SS
28 César Cedeño CF
25 José Cruz LF
18 Art Howe 3B
 8 Dave Roberts 1B
10 Dickie Thon 2B
 6 Luis Pujols  C
36 Joe Niekro  P
Venue: Dodger Stadium • LAD 2, HOU 0

Right-hander Don Sutton, a key free agent acquisition in the prior off-season, made his Astros debut on April 11 against his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. He surrendered six in runs in a 7–4 loss.[7]

On May 24, Art Howe tripled off Vida Blue to extend his hitting streak to 23 games, which at the time set the franchise record for the Astros. However, the San Francisco Giants won a close contest, 2–1. Luis Pujols hit a solo home run to account for Houston's only run.[8] Howe's streak eclipsed César Cedeño's 22-game effort from August 25—September 21, 1977. During the hitting streak, Howe batted .460, collecting an incredible 40 base hits in just 87 at bats,[9] leading to recognition with the NL Player of the Month honors for May.[10] His club record was tied in 1997 by Luis Gonzalez and stood until 2000, when Tony Eusebio reached in 24 straight.[11]

June

With a second base on balls allowed on June 5, Nolan Ryan passed Early Wynn for all-time most walks issued in major league history with 1,776. In this game, Ryan also struck out 10 and tossed a 3–0 shutout of the New York Mets.[12]

Pete Rose of the Philadelphia Phillies singled off Ryan on June 10 to tie St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial for fourth-place all-time in hits. Following Rose's hit, Houston blew a four-run lead and lost, 5–4, one day prior to the onset of the players' strike.[13]

Nolan Ryan's no-hitter

On September 26, 1981, Ryan no-hit the Dodgers, 5–0, on national television. The 34-year-old right-hander became the first pitcher to throw five career no-hitters, which surpassed former Dodgers great Sandy Koufax, one of the most dominant left-handers in major league history.[14]

During the seventh frame, Terry Puhl's one-handed, running catch of a Mike Scioscia line drive was a key moment that helped preserve the no-hit effort. Ryan struck out 11, yielded just three bases on balls, raised his record to 10–5 and earned a game score of 95.[15]

In the bottom of the third inning, catcher Alan Ashby opened the scoring with a two-run single. Later, during the eighth, Craig Reynolds doubled in Denny Walling, Phil Garner singled in Reynolds, and José Cruz singled home Puhl to make the score 5–0.[15]

When he whiffed Dusty Baker during the sixth inning, it was the tenth hitter Ryan had set down via strikeout, the 135th such game of his career.[14]

Control issues emerged for Ryan in the second inning when he issued a leadoff walk to Steve Garvey. Garvey stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. However, he struck out Pedro Guerrero and induced a popup from Ron Roenicke to extinguish the threat. The next inning, Ryan again walked the leadoff hitter, Derrel Thomas, then fanned Ted Power and Davey Lopes. Ken Landreaux also walked, but Ryan retired the side when Baker grounded out to second.[14]

In the final inning, Ryan fanned pinch hitter Reggie Smith for his 11th of the game. Next, Landreaux battered a ground ball to Walling, the first baseman, whom he retired. Ryan closed out his masterpiece by inducing a ground ball from Baker to third baseman Art Howe.[14]

Asbhy, Ryan's batterymate, caught his second of three no-hitters for Houston.[16]

Ryan had been tied with Koufax with four no-hitters since June 1, 1975, as a member of the California Angels, the club with whom he accomplished each of the four. Prior to the contest against the Dodgers, Ryan had pitched seven one-hitters. Ryan's was the first Astros no-hitter since Ken Forsch's on April 7, 1979, and the seventh in club history.[14] Nearly five years later to the day, on September 25, 1986, Mike Scott tossed Houston's eighth no-hitter.[17]

The Astros' win kept them 1+1⁄2 games ahead of Cincinnati for the second-half division title.[14]

October

While at bat against Jerry Reuss on October 2, Sutton sustained a patella fracture on contact of a hit by pitch, instantly ending his season. Houston would also lose the game to the Dodgers, 6–1. Entering the contest, Sutton's second-half effort had been a leading factor on the pitching staff and Houston's resurgence, having gone 7–1 W–L and 1.86 earned run average (ERA).[18]

Performance overview

Led by Ryan and Knepper, the 1981 Astros pitching staff set an all-time franchise mark in earned run average (ERA) at 2.66.[19] The Astros' pitching staff had established the club record just year prior (3.10), which had superseded the prior record of 3.13 set in 1971. Although the 1981 season was abbreviated to 110 contests as a result of the work stoppage, this pitching staff tied their 1979 counterpart for most team shutouts in franchise history (19).[20]

Ryan, who posted an ERA of 1.69 for the season, led MLB, succeeding as J. R. Richard the second Astros pitcher to lead the NL, who did so in 1979.[21] Knepper finished as runner-up in the NL in ERA (2.18) to Ryan, while Sutton (2.61) placed ninth.[22] In his 15th major league season, it was the first time Ryan had led the league.[23] Both he and Knepper surpassed left-hander Mike Cuellar for the single-season club record, which he set in 1966 with a 2.22 mark.[24][25]

Four members of the Astros' starting rotation each placed within the top 10 of the league for individual shutouts. Knepper ranked second (5), while Sutton and Ryan tied for fourth with 3, and Niekro tied for 10th with two.[22]

Following the season, Ryan was recognized with the Houston Astros' team Most Valuable Player Award (MVP).[26]

Season standings

NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Cincinnati Reds 66 42 .611 — 32‍–‍22 34‍–‍20
Los Angeles Dodgers 63 47 .573 4 33‍–‍23 30‍–‍24
Houston Astros 61 49 .555 6 31‍–‍20 30‍–‍29
San Francisco Giants 56 55 .505 11½ 29‍–‍24 27‍–‍31
Atlanta Braves 50 56 .472 15 22‍–‍27 28‍–‍29
San Diego Padres 41 69 .373 26 20‍–‍35 21‍–‍34
NL West
First Half Standings 		W L Pct. GB
Los Angeles Dodgers 36 21 .632 —
Cincinnati Reds 35 21 .625 1⁄2
Houston Astros 28 29 .491 8
Atlanta Braves 25 29 .463 9+1⁄2
San Francisco Giants 27 32 .458 10
San Diego Padres 23 33 .411 12+1⁄2
NL West
Second Half Standings 		W L Pct. GB
Houston Astros 33 20 .623 —
Cincinnati Reds 31 21 .596 1+1⁄2
San Francisco Giants 29 23 .558 3+1⁄2
Los Angeles Dodgers 27 26 .509 6
Atlanta Braves 25 27 .481 7+1⁄2
San Diego Padres 18 36 .333 15+1⁄2

Record vs. opponents

1981 National League record

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Team ATL CHC CIN HOU LAD MON NYM PHI PIT SD SF STL
Atlanta — 3–2–1 6–5 4–8 7–7 3–7 3–3 4–5 2–3 9–6 5–7 4–3
Chicago 2–3–1 — 1–5 1–6 6–4 4–7 5–8–1 2–10 4–10 3–3 5–5 5–4–1
Cincinnati 5–6 5–1 — 8–4 8–8 5–4 7–3 5–2 4–2 10–2 9–5 0–5
Houston 8–4 6–1 4–8 — 4–8 5–2 6–3 4–6 2–4 11–3 9–6 2–4
Los Angeles 7–7 4–6 8–8 8–4 — 5–2 5–1 3–3 5–1 6–5 7–5 5–5
Montreal 7–3 7–4 4–5 2–5 2–5 — 9–3 7–4 10–3 4–2 2–5 6–9
New York 3–3 8–5–1 3–7 3–6 1–5 3–9 — 7–7 3–6–1 2–5 2–4 6–5
Philadelphia 5-4 10–2 2–5 6–4 3–3 4–7 7–7 — 7–5 4–2 4–3 7–6
Pittsburgh 3–2 10–4 2–4 4–2 1–5 3–10 6–3–1 5–7 — 6–4 3–7 3–8
San Diego 6–9 3–3 2–10 3–11 5–6 2–4 5–2 2–4 4–6 — 6–7 3–7
San Francisco 7–5 5–5 5–9 6–9 5–7 5–2 4–2 3–4 7–3 7–6 — 2–3
St. Louis 3–4 4–5–1 5–0 4–2 5–5 9–6 5–6 6–7 8–3 7–3 3–2 —


Notable transactions


Roster

1981 Houston Astros
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders Manager

Coaches

Game log

Regular season (First half)

Legend
  Astros win
  Astros loss
  Postponement
Bold Astros team member
1981 regular season game log (First half): 28–29 (home: 14–14; away: 14–15)[32]
April: 7–12 (home: 4–9; away: 3–3)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
1 April 9 3:05 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 0–2 Valenzuela (1–0) Niekro (0–1) — 2:17 50,511 0–1 L1
2 April 11 9:05 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 4–7 Hooton (1–0) Sutton (0–1) — 2:56 51,691 0–2 L2
3 April 12 3:05 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 2–3 Sutcliffe (1–0) Ruhle (0–1) Howe (1) 2:16 50,734 0–3 L3
4 April 13 7:35 p.m. CST Braves L 1–2 (10) Camp (1–0) Sambito (0–1) Bradford (1) 2:57 34,961 0–4 L4
5 April 14 7:35 p.m. CST Braves W 8–2 Niekro (1–1) Walk (0–1) – 2:38 21,440 1–4 W1
6 April 15 7:35 p.m. CST Braves W 2–0 Ryan (1–0) Boggs (0–1) LaCorte (1) 2:00 22,365 2–4 W2
7 April 17 7:35 p.m. CST Pirates L 3–4 Rhoden (2–0) Sutton (0–2) Romo (2) 2:28 39,119 2–5 L1
8 April 18 12:50 p.m. CST Pirates L 3–6 (11) Jackson (1–0) Smith (0–1) – 3:06 29,790 2–6 L2
9 April 19 2:05 p.m. CST Pirates L 0–2 Scurry (1–0) Niekro (1–2) Solomon (1) 2:21 30,394 2–7 L3
10 April 20 7:35 p.m. CST Dodgers L 2–5 Hooton (3–0) Andújar (0–1) Goltz (1) 2:34 21,370 2–8 L4
11 April 21 7:35 p.m. CST Dodgers W 1–0 Knepper (1–0) Reuss (0–1) — 1:48 21,904 3–8 W1
12 April 22 6:05 p.m. CST Dodgers L 0–1 Valenzuela (4–0) Sutton (0–3) — 2:24 22,830 3–9 L1
13 April 23 7:35 p.m. CST Reds L 4–5 (10) Price (1–0) Smith (0–2) Moskau (1) 3:06 23,173 3–10 L2
14 April 24 7:35 p.m. CST Reds L 0–3 Pastore (1–0) Niekro (1–3) – 2:23 27,087 3–11 L3
15 April 25 12:50 p.m. CST Reds L 1–2 Berenyi (2–0) Ryan (1–1) Hume (1) 2:45 19,957 3–12 L4
16 April 26 2:05 p.m. CDT Reds W 1–0 Knepper (2–0) Soto (1–3) – 2:21 23,428 4–12 W1
17 April 28 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 2–1 Sutton (1–3) Montefusco (1–2) Smith (1) 2:34 8,669 5–12 W2
18 April 29 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 5–4 LaCorte (1–0) Camp (2–1) – 3:18 8,334 6–12 W3
19 April 30 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 5–1 Niekro (2–3) Boggs (1–3) – 2:19 10,006 7–12 W4
May: 17–12 (home: 8–4; away: 9–8)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
20 May 1 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 5–3 Sambito (1–1) Solomon (0–1) – 3:01 7,012 8–12 W5
21 May 2 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 4–5 (12) Solomon (1–1) Smith (0–3) – 3:56 21,993 8–13 L1
22 May 3 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 3–1 Sutton (2–3) Bibby (1–1) Smith (2) 3:15 10,438 9–13 W1
23 May 4 1:35 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 5–4 Andújar (1–1) Krukow (1–2) Sambito (1) 3:02 2,941 10–13 W2
24 May 5 1:35 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 4–3 Smith (1–3) Smith (0–2) – 2:41 2,092 11–13 W3
25 May 6 1:35 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 1–2 (11) Smith (1–2) LaCorte (1–1) – 3:27 2,572 11–14 W4
26 May 7 1:35 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 6–0 Knepper (3–0) Martz (1–1) – 2:40 3,112 12–14 L1
27 May 8 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 0–4 Seaver (3–1) Sutton (2–4) – 2:21 31,961 12–15 L1
28 May 9 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 5–9 Berenyi (3–1) Andújar (1–2) – 2:38 30,860 12–16 L2
29 May 10 1:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 7–5 Niekro (3–3) Pastore (1–1) LaCorte (2) 2:44 31,903 13–16 W1
30 May 11 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 5–0 Ryan (2–1) LaCoss (1–4) – 2:36 11,795 14–16 W2
31 May 12 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 2–3 (10) Sutter (1–1) Sambito (1–2) Kaat (2) 2:26 20,020 13–17 L1
32 May 13 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 3–0 Sutton (3–4) Shirley (4–1) – 2:24 21,705 14–17 W1
33 May 14 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 6–7 Otten (1–0) Sambito (1–3) Sutter (6) 2:54 20,042 14–18 L1
34 May 15 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 5–0 Niekro (4–3) Caudill (0–3) – 2:16 23,718 16–18 W1
35 May 16 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 6–1 Ryan (3–1) Martz (1–2) Sambito (2) 2:48 43,726 17–18 W2
36 May 17 2:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 6–1 Knepper (4–0) Krukow (1–4) – 2:34 34,068 18–18 W3
37 May 19 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 12–15 Kaat (2–0) Sprowl (0–1) – 3:03 14,585 18–19 L1
38 May 20 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–3 (11) Niekro (5–3) Sutter (1–2) Sambito (3) 2:47 19,175 19–19 W1
39 May 21 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 1–3 Martin (1–0) Ryan (3–2) – 2:13 19,823 19–20 L1
40 May 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants L 3–6 (15) Minton (2–2) Andújar (1–3) – 4:38 30,377 19–21 L2
41 May 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 5–3 LaCorte (2–1) Whitson (1–5) – 3:09 38,586 20–21 W1
42 May 24 5:00 p.m. CDT Giants L 1–2 Blue (4–3) Sutton (3–5) Minton (9) 2:26 34,922 20–22 L1
43 May 25 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 6–3 Niekro (6–3) Mura (1–7) Sambito (4) 2:41 19,025 21–22 W1
44 May 26 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 1–0 Ryan (4–2) Eichelberger (4–3) Sambito (5) 2:23 17,709 22–22 W2
45 May 27 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 1–0 Knepper (5–0) Welsh (2–3) – 1:50 21,256 23–22 W3
46 May 29 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 1–3 Blue (5–3) Sutton (3–6) Holland (2) 2:22 8,397 23–23 L1
47 May 30 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 9–8 (14) Andújar (2–3) Breining (1–1) Ruhle (1) 4:33 8,869 24–23 W1
48 May 31 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 1–6 Griffin (4–3) Ryan (4–3) Holland (3) 2:34 20,626 24–24 L1
June: 4–5 (home: 2–1; away: 2–4)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
49 June 2 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 2–1 LaCorte (3–1) Welsh (2–4) Sambito (6) 2:19 9,671 25–24 W1
50 June 3 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 6–1 Sutton (4–6) Wise (2–5) – 2:25 10,023 26–24 W2
51 June 4 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 5–7 Mura (3–7) Niekro (6–4) Lucas (8) 2:31 12,403 26–25 L1
52 June 5 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 3–0 Ryan (5–3) Jones (1–6) – 2:09 28,085 27–25 W1
53 June 6 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 6–2 Ruhle (1–1) Zachry (5–6) Smith (3) 2:17 42,478 28–25 W2
54 June 7 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets L 1–3 Scott (3–4) Knepper (5–1) Allen (6) 2:13 29,873 28–26 L1
55 June 8 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 3–4 Ruthven (8–3) Sutton (4–7) McGraw (6) 2:41 31,664 28–27 L2
56 June 9 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 3–10 Bystrom (4–3) Niekro (6–5) Reed (5) 2:17 33,978 28–28 L3
57 June 10 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–5 Carlton (9–1) LaCorte (3–2) McGraw (7) 2:22 57,386 28–29 L4

Regular season (games canceled by the 1981 Major League Baseball strike)

Legend
  Canceled (Strike)
Bold Astros team member
1981 regular season game log
June
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
– June 12 @ Mets Canceled (Strike)
– June 13 @ Mets Canceled (Strike)
– June 14 @ Mets Canceled (Strike)
– June 15 @ Expos Canceled (Strike)
– June 16 @ Expos Canceled (Strike)
– June 17 Phillies Canceled (Strike)
– June 18 Phillies Canceled (Strike)
– June 19 Expos Canceled (Strike)
– June 20 Expos Canceled (Strike)
– June 21 Expos Canceled (Strike)
– June 23 @ Pirates Canceled (Strike)
– June 24 @ Pirates Canceled (Strike)
– June 25 @ Pirates Canceled (Strike)
— June 26 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
— June 27 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
— June 28 5:00 p.m. CDT Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
– June 29 Reds Canceled (Strike)
– June 30 Reds Canceled (Strike)
July
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
– July 1 Reds Canceled (Strike)
– July 3 @ Braves Canceled (Strike)
– July 4 @ Braves Canceled (Strike)
– July 5 @ Braves Canceled (Strike)
— July 7 9:30 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
— July 8 9:30 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers Canceled (Strike) (Makeup date: May 17)
— July 9 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
– July 10 Braves Canceled (Strike)
– July 11 Braves Canceled (Strike)
– July 12 Braves Canceled (Strike)
– July 16 @ Reds Canceled (Strike)
– July 17 @ Reds Canceled (Strike)
– July 18 @ Reds Canceled (Strike)
– July 19 @ Cubs Canceled (Strike)
– July 20 @ Cubs Canceled (Strike)
– July 21 Pirates Canceled (Strike)
– July 22 Pirates Canceled (Strike)
– July 23 Pirates Canceled (Strike)
– July 24 Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
– July 25 Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
– July 26 Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
– July 27 Cubs Canceled (Strike)
– July 28 Cubs Canceled (Strike)
– July 29 Cubs Canceled (Strike)
– July 31 @ Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
August
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
– August 1 @ Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
– August 2 @ Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
– August 3 Giants Canceled (Strike)
– August 4 Giants Canceled (Strike)
– August 5 Giants Canceled (Strike)
– August 7 Padres Canceled (Strike)
– August 8 Padres Canceled (Strike)
– August 9 Padres Canceled (Strike)

Regular season (Second half)

Legend
  Astros win
  Astros loss
  Postponement
  Clinched division
Bold Astros team member
1981 regular season game log (Second half): 33–20 (home: 17–6; away: 16–14)[33]
August: 13–8 (home: 7–1; away: 6–7)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
— August 9 7:15 p.m. CDT 52nd All-Star Game in Cleveland, OH
1 (58) August 10 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 6–5 Sambito (2–3) Breining (2–2) LaCorte (3) 3:08 11,115 1–0 (29–29) W1
2 (59) August 11 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 2–3 Griffin (5–5) Niekro (6–6) Minton (10) 2:36 12,354 1–1 (29–30) L1
3 (60) August 12 2:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 5–4 Sambito (3–3) Holland (3–3) Smith (1) 2:51 8,707 2–1 (30–30) W1
4 (61) August 13 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 1–9 Welsh (4–4) Knepper (5–2) – 2:29 4,899 2–2 (30–31) L1
5 (62) August 14 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–1 Ryan (6–3) Lollar (1–5) – 2:24 8,414 3–2 (31–31) W1
6 (63) August 15 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–0 Sutton (5–7) Eichelberger (6–4) – 1:59 5,852 4–2 (32–31) W2
7 (64) August 16 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 3–0 Niekro (7–6) Mura (4–9) Smith (4) 2:16 5,880 5–2 (33–31) W3
8 (65) August 17 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 2–6 Burris (5–5) Ruhle (1–2) Fryman (4) 2:19 24,203 5–3 (33–32) L1
9 {66) August 18 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–2 Knepper (6–2) Rogers (8–5) Sambito (7) 2:04 23,306 6–3 (34–32) W1
10 (67) August 19 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 9–1 Ryan (7–3) Sanderson (6–4) Smith (5) 2:39 27,169 7–3 (35–32) W2
11 (68) August 21 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–5 Lyle (6–2) Ruhle (1–3) McGraw (8) 2:41 31,693 7–4 (35–33) L1
12 (69) August 22 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–8 Ruthven (9–5) Niekro (7–7) – 2:16 35,199 7–5 (35–34) L2
13 (70) August 23 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 0–6 Carlton (10–3) Knepper (6–3) – 1:51 30,630 7–6 (35–35) L3
14 (71) August 25 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 1–2 Marshall (1–0) Sambito (3–4) – 2:32 15,622 7–7 (35–36) L4
15 (72) August 26 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 9–3 Sutton (6–7) Zachry (6–9) – 2:34 16,731 8–7 (36–36) W1
16 (73) August 27 1:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 2–3 Marshall (2–0) Sambito (3–5) Allen (12) 2:28 17,488 8–8 (36–37) L1
17 (74) August 28 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 3–2 (10) Smith (2–3) Lyle (6–3) – 2:37 29,482 9–8 (37–37) W1
18 (75) August 29 (1) 5:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 6–1 Ruhle (2–3) Davis (0–2) – 2:22 N/A 10–8 (38–37) W2
19 (76) August 29 (2) 8:32 p.m. CDT Phillies W 2–1 Smith (1–0) Noles (0–1) LaCorte (4) 2:01 33,327 11–8 (39–37) W3
20 (77) August 30 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 5–4 (10) Smith (3–3) Lyle (6–4) – 2:53 23,102 12–8 (40–37) W4
21 (78) August 31 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 6–1 Sutton (7–7) Zachry (6–10) – 2:27 10,669 13–8 (41–37) W5
September: 18–10 (home: 10–5; away: 8–5)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
22 (79) September 1 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 3–2 Sambito (4–5) Marshall (2–1) – 2:39 16,339 14–8 (42–37) W6
23 (80) September 2 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 8–0 Knepper (7–3) Scott (4–8) – 2:21 18,938 15–8 (43–37) W7
24 {81) September 3 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 2–1 Ruhle (3–3) Sanderson (7–5) Smith (6) 2:20 24,833 16–8 (44–37) W8
25 (82) September 4 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 5–0 Ryan (8–3) Gullickson (4–7) Sambito (8) 2:54 32,580 17–8 (45–37) W9
26 (83) September 5 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 2–5 Burris (7–5) Sutton (7–8) – 2:13 30,471 17–9 (45–38) L1
27 (84) September 6 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 4–3 (12) LaCorte (4–2) Sosa (1–2) – 3:33 47,193 18–9 (46–38) W1
28 (85) September 7 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 3–2 Smith (4–3) Camp (7–2) Sambito (9) 2:40 7,358 19–9 (47–38) W2
29 (86) September 8 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 2–3 Camp (8–2) Smith (1–1) – 2:13 2,800 19–10 (47–39) L1
30 (87) September 9 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 0–9 Niekro (7–5) Ryan (8–4) – 2:34 4,482 19–11 (47–40) L2
31 (88) September 11 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 6–0 Sutton (8–8) Blue (8–6) – 2:30 23,677 20–11 (48–40) W1
32 (89) September 12 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 5–2 Niekro (8–7) Whitson (5–8) Smith (7) 2:39 35,867 21–11 (49–40) W2
33 (90) September 13 5:00 p.m. CDT Giants W 3–0 Knepper (8–3) Alexander (8–7) LaCorte (5) 2:32 19,642 22–11 (50–40) W3
34 (91) September 14 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds L 2–4 Berenyi (8–5) Ruhle (3–4) – 2:30 19,742 22–12 (50–41) L1
35 (92) September 15 5:00 p.m. CDT Reds L 0–4 Leibrandt (1–0) Ryan (8–5) – 2:26 16,354 22–13 (50–42) L2
36 (93) September 16 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–2 Sutton (9–8) Lollar (1–8) Sambito (10) 2:35 4,241 23–13 (51–42) W1
37 (94) September 17 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 9–0 Niekro (9–7) Mura (5–13) – 2:14 2,428 24–13 (52–42) W2
38 (95) September 18 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 2–5 Alexander (9–7) Knepper (8–4) Holland (7) 2:26 8,183 24–14 (52–43) L1
39 (96) September 19 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 8–1 Ruhle (4–4) Griffin (8–7) – 2:26 11,522 25–14 (53–43) W1
40 (97) September 20 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 7–3 Ryan (9–5) Lavelle (0–6) – 3:04 16,824 26–14 (54–43) W2
41 (98) September 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 3–0 Sutton (10–8) Perry (7–8) – 2:16 22,564 27–14 (55–43) W3
42 (99) September 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves L 1–3 Mahler (6–6) Niekro (9–8) – 2:13 24,142 27–15 (55–44) L1
43 (100) September 24 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 5–3 Knepper (9–4) McWilliams (1–1) Smith (8) 2:17 23,341 28–15 (56–44) W1
44 (101) September 25 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 0–3 Hooton (11–6) Ruhle (4–5) — 2:18 35,481 28–16 (56–45) L1
45 (102) September 26 1:20 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 5–0 Ryan (10–5) Power (1–3) — 2:46 32,115 29–16 (57–45) W1
46 (103) September 27 5:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 4–1 Sutton (11–8) Valenzuela (13–6) — 2:23 41,686 30–16 (58–45) W2
47 (104) September 28 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 2–1 Sambito (5–5) Eichelberger (8–8) – 2:07 21,576 31–16 (59–45) W3
48 (105) September 29 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 1–2 Wise (4–8) Knepper (9–5) Lucas (12) 2:19 34,732 31–17 (59–46) L1
49 (106) September 30 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 2–3 Soto (11–9) Ruhle (4–6) Hume (13) 2:14 24,394 31–18 (59–47) L2
October: 2–2 (home: 0–0; away: 2–2)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
50 (107) October 1 4:00 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 8–1 Ryan (11–5) Berenyi (9–6) – 3:12 26,484 32–18 (60–47) W1
51 (108) October 2 9:30 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–6 Reuss (10–4) Sutton (11–9) — 2:30 46,108 32–19 (60–48) L1
52 (109) October 3 2:50 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 2–7 Welch (9–5) Niekro (9–9) — 2:43 42,272 32–20 (60–49) L2
53 (110) October 4 3:00 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 5–3 Smith (5–2) Goltz (2–7) — 3:17 47,072 33–20 (61–49) W1

Detailed records

Postseason Game log

Legend
  Astros win
  Astros loss
Bold Astros team member
1981 Postseason game log: 2–3 (home: 2–0; away: 0–3)
NL Western Division Series: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 2–3 (home: 2–0; away: 0–3)[34]
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/
Streak
1 October 6 7:15 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 3–1 Ryan (1–0) Stewart (0–1) — 2:22 44,836 HOU 1–0 W1
2 October 7 12:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 1–0 (11) Sambito (1–0) Stewart (0–2) — 3:39 42,398 HOU 2–0 W2
3 October 9 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–6 Hooton (1–0) Knepper (0–1) — 2:35 46,820 HOU 2–1 L1
4 October 10 7:15 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–2 Valenzuela (1–0) Ruhle (0–1) — 2:00 55,983 Tied 2–2 L2
5 October 11 3:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 0–4 Reuss (1–0) Ryan (1–1) — 2:52 55,979 LAN 3–2 L3
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement
Bold = Astros team member

Major League Baseball draft

See also: 1981 Major League Baseball draft
Houston Astros 1981 MLB draft selections[35]

Statistics

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
C Alan Ashby 83 255 69 .271 4 33
1B César Cedeño 82 306 83 .271 5 34
2B Joe Pittman 52 135 38 .281 0 7
SS Craig Reynolds 87 323 84 .260 4 31
3B Art Howe 103 361 107 .296 3 36
LF José Cruz 107 409 109 .267 13 55
CF Tony Scott 55 225 66 .293 2 22
RF Terry Puhl 96 350 88 .251 3 28

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
Denny Walling 65 158 37 .234 5 23
Kiko Garcia 48 136 37 .272 0 15
Luis Pujols 40 117 28 .239 1 14
Phil Garner 31 113 27 .239 0 6
Gary Woods 54 110 23 .209 0 12
Danny Heep 33 96 24 .250 0 11
Dickie Thon 49 95 26 .274 0 3
Rafael Landestoy 35 74 11 .149 0 4
Dave Roberts 27 54 13 .241 1 5
Mike Ivie 19 42 10 .238 0 6
Harry Spilman 28 34 10 .294 0 1
Jeffrey Leonard 7 18 3 .167 0 3
Tim Tolman 4 8 1 .125 0 0
Scott Loucks 10 7 4 .571 0 0
Alan Knicely 3 7 4 .571 2 2
Dave Bergman 6 6 1 .167 1 1
Bert Peña 4 2 1 .500 0 0

Pitching

= Indicates league leader

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
Joe Niekro 24 166.0 9 9 2.82 77
Don Sutton 23 158.2 11 9 2.61 104
Bob Knepper 22 156.2 9 5 2.18 75
Nolan Ryan 21 149.0 11 5 1.69 140
Vern Ruhle 20 102.0 4 6 2.91 39

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
Joaquín Andújar 9 23.2 2 3 4.94 18

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player G IP W L SV ERA SO
Joe Sambito 49 63.2 5 5 10 1.84 41
Dave Smith 42 75.0 5 3 8 2.76 52
Frank LaCorte 37 42.0 4 2 5 3.64 40
Bobby Sprowl 15 28.2 0 1 0 5.97 18
Billy Smith 10 20.2 1 1 1 3.05 3
Gordie Pladson 2 4.0 0 0 0 9.00 3

1981 National League Division Series

See also: 1981 National League Division Series

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros

Los Angeles wins series, 3-2.

Game Score Date
1 Houston 3, Los Angeles 1 October 6
2 Houston 1, Los Angeles 0 (11 innings) October 7
3 Los Angeles 6, Houston 1 October 9
4 Los Angeles 2, Houston 1 October 10
5 Los Angeles 4, Houston 0 October 11

Awards and achievements

Awards

Minor league system

See also: Minor League Baseball
Level Team League Manager
AAA Tucson Toros Pacific Coast League Jimmy Johnson
AA Columbus Astros Southern League Matt Galante
A Daytona Beach Astros Florida State League Carlos Alfonso
Rookie GCL Astros Blue Gulf Coast League Eric Swanson
Rookie GCL Astros Orange Gulf Coast League Lyle Olsen

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Daytona Beach

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. ^ Division title winners for the second half of the season.
  1. ^ The DS initially was intended as an additional round only for the 1981 playoffs, to be discontinued the following year and revert to the previous four-team format that was implemented in 1969. The four-team tournament remained in placed until 1995; as part of divisional realignment, MLB permanently re-introduced the DS, with different criteria for qualifying.
  1. ^ First round pick was forfeited to the Texas Rangers as compensation for signing third baseman Dave Roberts in free agency.
Sources
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  4. ^ "Julio González stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
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  12. ^ Schwartzberg, Seth (June 5, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 5". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
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  24. ^ "Astros history – Timeline". MLB.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
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  27. ^ "Gary Rajsich stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
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  31. ^ "Eric Bullock Stats".
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  37. ^ "The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award winners". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
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