1963 – Aspromonte lives up to his promise
After making a promise to a little leaguer who is recovering in Houston from a lightning strike that he will hit a home run, Colt .45s infielder Bob Aspromonte smacks a grand slam to beat the Chicago Cubs 6-2 in the 10th inning. He would end up doing the same thing exactly one year later, hitting another grand slam in 1964 as well.
1980 – J. R. Richard continues to dominate
Houston Astros starter J. R. Richard continues to shut his opponents down, extending his shutout streak to 31.2 innings after blanking the Cubs 3-0. This win marks the first homestand sweep in the franchise’s history, taking three from the San Francisco Giants and three from the Cubs.
2003 – Astros make history
After scares went around Houston when starter Roy Oswalt was taken out in the second inning due to injury, he was backed up nicely by his bullpen. Oswalt and the next five pitchers combined for the first no-hitter against the New York Yankees since 1958 and the first time it has ever been done using six pitchers.
What else happened on this day?
1956
Discussions continue over the cork-center in baseballs, citing that as the reason for increased numbers in home runs. NL President Warren Giles cites that it is because of bigger players.
1966
Cubs hitter Ernie Banks tied a modern-day record by hitting three triples in a game against the Astros in the Astrodome.
1981
The final game before the 50-game strike is between the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles in the Kingdome, with the M’s coming out on top 8-2.
1992
Baseball owners agree 25-1 to allow the Mariners to be purchased by a group led by Nintendo president Niroshi Yamauchi, marking the first non-North American ownership in the MLB.