On April 3, pitcher Roy Oswalt made his fourth consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted Florida Marlins, and won, 1–0. On April 18, the Astros recaptured an all-time franchise record of .500 (3,507–3,507) for the first time since their expansion era of early 1962. In the amateur draft, the Astros selected catcher Maxwell Sapp in the first round (23rd overall), third baseman Chris Johnson in the fourth round, and pitcher Bud Norris in the sixth round.
On July 28, Luke Scotthit for the cycle, to become the first Astros rookie to do so, and for the seventh time overall in franchise history.
The 2006 Astros finished in second place in the NL Central with a record of 82–80, 1½ games behind the eventual World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, after losing 3–1 on the road to the Atlanta Braves on the final day of the season. As a result, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003. It was their fifth-consecutive finish in second place in the division.
The 2006 season was the final season as members of the NL Central division that the Astros finished as high as second place; in fact, they had placed first or second in 12 of their first 13 seasons in the NL Central. It was also their 13th winning season over the previous 14, with the 2000 season being the lone exception in both cases.
On April 17, Preston Wilson became the first player in club history to earn the platinum sombrero, a mythical award for striking out five times in one game,[c][17] also tying the major league record for a nine-inning game.[18] Ensberg and Jason Lane, batting before and after Wilson in the order, respectively, helped picked their teammate by supplying deep drives. Craig Biggio had three hits and doubled as the Astros pulled off an 8–7 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers.[19]
After 44 years to attain their first World Series entrance,[20] on April 18, the Astros climbed back to an all-time franchise record of .500 (3,507–3,507) for the first time since their expansion era.[21] In a slugfest, the Astros staved off a frenetic 10-run comeback by Milwaukee over the final three frames to hold on for a 13–12 decision. Roy Oswalt (3–0) was the winner in spite of surrendering six runs (four earned) over six innings. Adam Everett sliced three hits and four RBI, Craig Biggio homered (1), collected three hits and three RBI, and Morgan Ensberg went deep twice (2) with three RBI.[22] This was Everett's third career bout of four RBI.[23]
On April 22, the Astros scaled above the .500 winning percentage stratum for the first time since early 1962, led by right-hander Taylor Buchholz, who obtained his first major league victory.[20] Buchholz surrendered just two hits while coming within one out of also earning his first shutout. Brad Lidge struck out Jason Bay looking to preserve the masterpiece, a 3–0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and earn the save (7). Biggio homered, doubled, stroked three hits, and scored all three tallies. Willy Taveras also collected three safeties.[24]
May—June
Houston started the season off strong, in club-record fashion, by winning 19 of their first 28 games, a .679 winning percentage.[25] In spite of the auspicious initiation to the campaign, Houston slogged to a 53–67 (.442) showing over the next two-thirds of the campaign, nearly playing themselves out of contention.[21]
On the verge of losing their sixth consecutive game on May 28, Houston trailed the Pittsburgh Pirates 4–0 heading into the ninth inning. The tied the score thanks in part to two bases-loaded wallsk, and in the 10th inning, Preston Wilson hit the walk-off single to win the game for the Astros.[28]
The Astros and right-hander Roger Clemens agreed to terms on May 31 that brought him back to Houston for the final four months of the season. The total value of the contract amounted to $22 million. Clemens started 19 games and posted a 2.30 earned run average (ERA).[29]
Lance Berkman connected for his 200th career home run on June 21, a solo shot in the bottom of the first at Minute Maid Park off Carlos Silva.[30] During the bottom of the eighth, Jason Lane singled in Preston Wilson for the go-ahead run. Dan Wheeler (1–4) tossed a scoreless eighth to earn his first victory of the season while, in the ninth, Brad Lidgestruck out the side to close out his 19th save and preserve the Astros' 4–3 victory over the Minnesota Twins.[31]
On June 25, the Chicago White Sox nearly completed a comeback with Houston ahead, 9–2, after eight strong innings from Roy Oswalt. The Astros won, 10–9 in the 13th inning via an RBI triple from Adam Everett. Tadahito Iguchi, who belted a three-run home run, started the comeback for Chicago.[32]
MLB All-Star Game
Astros manager Phil Garner, who piloted the National League, was himself formerly a three-time All-Star as a player. He appeared in the 1976, 1980, and 1981 Midsummer Classics, the latter of which was hosted just weeks prior to his trade from the Pirates to the Astros in 1981[33]
Led by Andy Pettitte and Adam Everett on July 15 at Dolphins Stadium, the Astros whitewashed the Florida Marlins, 12–0. Pettitte (8–9) scattered five hits and two walks over tossed seven scoreless frames with 10 punchouts, while Everett collected four hits and four RBI. Lance Berkman (25) and Chris Burke (6) went deep.[34] Recalled from the minor leagues to make his first appearance of the season, Luke Scott[35] doubled in Burke as a pinch hitter for Preston Wilson.[34] Everett, who reached base five times, produced his first career four-hit game. It was his third contest of the season with four RBI, and fifth of his career.[23]
Sponsored by DHL, Major League Baseball announced a one-time poll on July 17 among five pre-selected candidates for each major league club. In this format, fans could cast their vote for each MLB team for the player whom they deemed as the greatest in that franchise's history, whether that person was retired or still active. The Astros' full field of nominees included Biggio, former first baseman Jeff Bagwell, pitchers Nolan Ryan and Larry Dierker, and outfielder Jimmy Wynn.[36]
In a rematch of the 300-game winners on July 19 at Wrigley Field, Clemens (2–3) led a 4–2 defeat of Greg Maddux (7–11) and the Chicago Cubs. Craig Biggio launched a Maddux offering in the first for a leadoff home run. Preston Wilson had a two-run double in the sixth off Maddux. Clemens hurled six shutout frames with five whiffs and three hits surrendered.[37]
On July 28, right fielder Luke Scotthit for the cycle, which spanned six at bats and 11 innings in an 8–7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In the fourth inning, Scott homered, then hit a triple onto Tal's Hill in the fifth, and doubled in the seventh. He grounded out in the ninth inning, but got the single in his final at bat during the 11th inning.[41] Scott's home run was also the first of his career, hit to deep left field off Enrique González, to score Mike Lamb and Aubrey Huff.[42] It was also the first of each of a four-hit and five-RBI game for the rookie.[43]
Having occurred in the "reverse" order of extra-base hits,[e] Scott's was a "reverse," or "unnatural cycle," the fourth in National League history, and seventh in the major leagues.[44]
Scott's cycle was the first-ever by an Astros rookie, and first by a Houston Astro since teammate Craig Biggio did so on April 8, 2002. The next Astros player to hit for cycle was Brandon Barnes on July 19, 2013.[41]
Rest of July
The day after hitting for the cycle, on July 29, Scott received two intentional base on balls in a single bout for the first time in his career.[43]
Brad Ausmus cranked a grand slam on August 5 to pave the way for a 9–3 triumph over Arizona. Biggio attained the 2,900th hit of his career, while Roger Clemens (3–4) tossed a quality start (7 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) for his 344th win. Luke Scott assembled four hits, a two-run homer, and two runs; Aubrey Huff added a solo bomb, two hits and two runs; while Willy Taveras collected two hits and a run scored for the Astros (53–57), winners of four of their previous five bouts. [45] This was Scott's second four-hit game.[43]
Manager Phil Garner earned his 900th career victory on August 9,[20] while right-hander Roy Oswalt hit his lone career home run as a batter.[46]Aubrey Huff connected for his fifth multi-home run game, first as an Astro, and established a career-high with 6 RBI.[47]
Two days after Oswalt, a starting pitcher, connected for his first major league home run as a hitter, on August 11, Andy Pettitte followed suit. Pettitte's was a game-tying blast during the fourth inning off Chan Ho Park.[48] On the mound, Pettitte surrendered three hits and two runs over seven frames, whiffing 10. It was his tenth career 10-strikeout performance, his second of the season, and second as a member of the Astros.[26]Lance Berkman collected three hits and homered (31). Brad Lidge record a strikeout and induced Adrián González to ground into a game-ending double play for the save (26) and preserve a 4–2 triumph over the San Diego Padres.[49]
Luke Scott staged a personal season-high 10 game hitting-streak through August 5–15, during which he batted .556 / .610 on-base percentage / .833 slugging percentage, four doubles, two home runs, five RBI and five BB.[35]
On August 16, Pettitte hurled a four-hit, one-run complete game, his seventh of four hits or fewer.[26]
September
Clemens, making his 15th start on September 4, faced rookie Cole Hamels of Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park. Through three innings, Clemens had struck four and surrendered just one hit—to the pitcher Hamels. Clemens became uncharacteristically wild in the fourth by issuing a leadoff base on balls to Shane Victorino, hitChase Utley, and walked Ryan Howard to load the bases. Another walk with one out to Jeff Conine forced home a run, but a double play ground ball then ended the frame to avert further damage. Clemens then exit early due to a stained groin, and in the sixth, with his spot due in the lineup, manager Phil Garner chose to pinch hit for Clemens with rookie Charlton Jimerson. Jimerson, who had never had a prior plate appearance in the major leagues, had made just one appearance as a defensive substitution for his major league debut nearly one year prior, on September 14, 2005. At this point, Hamels was cruising with a perfect game in progress. On a count of two balls and one strike, Jimerson launched the next Hamels offering deep over the center field fence for his first career home run, simultaneously ending the bid for a perfect game, no-hitter, and shutout after 5+2⁄3 innings, and tying the contest, 1–1.[Note 1] The contest ended tied through regulation, 2–2. Astros reliever Dave Borkowski assumed the bottom of the tenth with the scored still tied. However, after getting two outs, Utley blasted a walk-off home run to end it, 3–2.[50]
On September 13, 2006, Lance Berkman became just the second switch hitter in Major League history to crank 40 or more homers over multiple seasons, with Mickey Mantle being the first.[51]
On September 20, Houston, in second place, trailed the St. Louis Cardinals by 8+1⁄2 games,[25] while they commenced their longest winning streak of the campaign, at nine games. The winning streak brought Houston's record to three games over .500.[52]
Craig Biggio launched a late-inning rally on September 22, before delivering the walk-off blow to St. Louis, capping a 6–5 decision. Morgan Ensberg (23) homered in the bottom of the third. The Cardinals led, 5–2, going into the bottom of the eighth. Biggio singled in Orlando Palmeiro and Eric Bruntlett off Adam Wainwright. In the bottom of the ninth, facing Braden Looper, Palmeiro singled in Adam Everett for the game-tying score. Biggio then singled home Palmeiro for the game-winner. For the day, Biggio collected three hits, a double, three RBI, and a stolen base.[53]
Luke Scott swatted his first walk-off home run on September 23, his second longball of the contest,[42] and the Astros' second-successive walk-off victory.[52] It was Scott's first career multi-home run game, and second five-RBI game,[43] which led a 7–4 decision over St. Louis. Scott's second blast picked up Dan Wheeler (3–5), off whom David Eckstein had doubled in José Vizcaíno for the game-tying score during the top of the ninth.[54] Lance Berkman amassed four hits, his 13th career bout with as many.[55] This was also Houston's third successive contest won in their final at bat, each against St. Louis.[52]
The Astros won 10 of 12 bouts to gain eight games over eight days, and pull within a 1⁄2 game of the Cardinals with just three games remaining in the regular season. However, the Astros were unable to inch closer following losses in two of their final three to the Atlanta Braves.[25]
Performance overview
The Astros concluded the 2006 season with an 82–80 record, trailing the St. Louis Cardinals—that year's World Series champion—by 1+1⁄2 games.[2] For the third successive campaign, Houston wound up runners-up in the NL Central to the Cardinals.[2][56] Meanwhile, Houston trailed the Los Angeles Dodgers by six games for the Wild Card title.[57] Hence, for the second time in four seasons, Houston missed the playoffs by fewer than 2 games, likewise following the 2003 season. This was the first of nine consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs through 2014, a streak that lengthy had last occurred from 1987 to 1996.[2]
However, this represented a sixth consecutive winning campaign for Houston, a club record. In continuation of a long era of regular-season success, since the inception of the NL Central division in 1994, Houston had concluded the regular season in either first or second place twelve times in 13 seasons, excluding the 2000 campaign. Furthermore, during a span of 17 seasons commencing in 1992, the 2006 campaign represented the fourteenth of 15 having posted a .500 winning percentage or higher.[2]
Retired right-hander Nolan Ryan was unveiled as the Astros' DHL Hometown Hero on October 1 based on a fan vote available during the summer. The award was intended to recognize each MLB team's marquee player throughout all their history, including past and present legends. In fact, Ryan received the same award as a Texas Ranger, the only player who represented two teams.[58] The Astros' full field of nominees included Biggio and former players first baseman Jeff Bagwell, outfielder Jimmy Wynn, and pitcher Larry Dierker.[36]
Second baseman Craig Biggio concluded his 19th major league campaign with 2,930 hits. Just 70 away from the 3,000 hit club, the small margin implied inevitability of realizing the milestone hit the following season. Including hits, Biggio held many career franchise records.[59]
Oswalt won the NL earned run average title (2.98 ERA) to succeed Clemens (1.87 ERA in 2005) as the second-consecutive Astro to lead the league. The duo also joined Mike Scott (2.22 in 1986) and Nolan Ryan (2.76 in 1987) as Astros pitcher who have led the league in ERA in consecutive seasons. The seventh ERA title overall in franchise history, Oswalt was preceded by J. R. Richard (2.71 in 1979), Ryan (twice, first 1.69 in 1981), Scott in 1986, Ryan again in 1987, and Danny Darwin in (2.21 in 1990).[60] Oswalt also excelled with control, yielding career-bests in ERA-qualified seasons with an NL-leading 4.37 strikeout-to-walk ratio (K/BB), while surrendering just 1.5 bases on balls per nine innings pitched (BB/9), good for second in the NL.[61]
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
↑From 1961–2003, The Sporting News declared one rookie position player and one rookie pitcher from each league, the NL and the American League (AL), for this award. Starting in 2004, one rookie was selected for each league, regardless of position.
↑Jimerson became the third Astros player to hit a home run in his first major-league at-bat, preceded by José Sosa on July 30, 1975, and Dave Matranga on June 27, 2003, and succeeded by Mark Saccomanno on September 8, 2008.
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