1980 Houston Astros season

The 1980 Houston Astros season was the 19th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 16th as the Astros, 19th in the National League (NL), 12th in the NL West division, and 16th at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season having completed an 89–73 record for second place and 1+1⁄2 games behind the division-champion Cincinnati Reds. At the time, this represented the closest the Astros had ever qualified for the playoffs.

1980 Houston Astros
National League West champions
League	National League
Division	West
Ballpark	Astrodome
City	Houston, Texas
Record	93–70 (.571)
Divisional place	1st
Owners	John McMullen
General managers	Tal Smith, Al Rosen
Managers	Bill Virdon
Television	KRIV–TV 26 (Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker)
Radio	KPRC–AM 950 (Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker)
← 1979 Seasons 1981 →

On Opening Day, April 10, J. R. Richard made his fourth Opening Day start for Houston, who hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers and won, 3–2.

On July 4, pitcher Nolan Ryan recorded his 3,000th career strikeout.

Richard and left fielder José Cruz were selected to the MLB All-Star Game and played for the National League, the first career selection for both players,

After a late collapse in 1979, the Astros completed their scheduled regular season with a record of 92–70, tying them for first place with Los Angeles after having lost three in a row in Los Angeles in the final series of the season. To determine the division champion, the teams played a tie-breaker on October 6, which the Astros won for the first division title and first time in franchise history to qualify for the playoffs. At the time, this also set the club record for wins in one season, surpassing the 89 from the season prior. Houston faced the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), losing three games to two.

Following the season, general manager Tal Smith was named The Sporting News Executive of the Year, the first of Houston Astros personnel to win the award.

Offseason

• October 26, 1979: Keith Drumright was sent by the Astros to the Kansas City Royals to complete an earlier deal (the Astros sent a player to be named later to the Royals for George Throop) made on April 27, 1979.^[1]
• November 19, 1979: Nolan Ryan was signed as a free agent by the Astros.^[2]
• January 31, 1980: Joe Morgan was signed as a free agent by the Astros.^[3]
• February 21, 1980: Frank Riccelli was released by the Astros.^[4]

Regular season

Summary

Opening Day starters

• Alan Ashby
• Enos Cabell
• César Cedeño
• José Cruz
• Art Howe
• Joe Morgan
• Terry Puhl
• Craig Reynolds
• J. R. Richard

In a 3–0 shutout of the Chicago Cubs on June 11, Astros starter J. R. Richard extended a scoreless innings streak to 31+2⁄3. The win capped the first-ever homestand sweep for the Astros after having swept 3 games each in series against the San Francisco Giants and Cubs.^[5]

Despite battling the flu, Nolan Ryan hurled seven one-hit innings before reliever Joe Sambito closed out a 2–0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals' only hit was a double in the third inning. Offensively, José Cruz, drove in both of the Astros' runs.^[6]

On July 4, Ryan recorded the 3,000th strikeout of his career, with César Gerónimo of the Cincinnati Reds as his victim.

Season standings

• v
• t
• e

NL West

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Houston Astros	93	70	.571	—	55‍–‍26	38‍–‍44
Los Angeles Dodgers	92	71	.564	1	55‍–‍27	37‍–‍44
Cincinnati Reds	89	73	.549	3½	44‍–‍37	45‍–‍36
Atlanta Braves	81	80	.503	11	50‍–‍30	31‍–‍50
San Francisco Giants	75	86	.466	17	44‍–‍37	31‍–‍49
San Diego Padres	73	89	.451	19½	45‍–‍36	28‍–‍53

Record vs. opponents

1980 National League record v t e Sources:
Team	ATL	CHC	CIN	HOU	LAD	MTL	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL
Atlanta	—	8–4	2–16	7–11	11–7	5–7	3–9	5–7	11–1	12–6	11–6	6–6
Chicago	4–8	—	7–5	1–11	5–7	6–12	10–8	5–13	8–10	4–8	5–7	9–9
Cincinnati	16–2	5–7	—	8–10	9–9	3–9	8–4	7–5	6–6	15–3–1	7–11	5–7
Houston	11–7	11–1	10–8	—	9–10	5–7	8–4	3–9	7–5	11–7	11–7	7–5
Los Angeles	7–11	7–5	9–9	10–9	—	11–1	7–5	6–6	6–6	9–9	13–5	7–5
Montreal	7–5	12–6	9–3	7–5	1–11	—	10–8	9–9	6–12	10–2	7–5	12–6
New York	9–3	8–10	4–8	4–8	5–7	8–10	—	6–12	10–8	1–11	3–9	9–9
Philadelphia	7-5	13–5	5–7	9–3	6–6	9–9	12–6	—	7–11	8–4	6–6	9–9
Pittsburgh	1–11	10–8	6–6	5–7	6–6	12–6	8–10	11–7	—	6–6	8–4	10–8
San Diego	6–12	8–4	3–15–1	7–11	9–9	2–10	11–1	4–8	6–6	—	10–8	7–5
San Francisco	6–11	7–5	11–7	7–11	5–13	5–7	9–3	6–6	4–8	8–10	—	7–5
St. Louis	6–6	9–9	7–5	5–7	5–7	6–12	9–9	9–9	8–10	5–7	5–7	—

Roster

1980 Houston Astros
Roster
Pitchers 47 Joaquín Andújar 43 Ken Forsch 31 Frank LaCorte 36 Joe Niekro 46 Randy Niemann 26 Gordie Pladson 50 J. R. Richard 42 Bert Roberge 48 Vern Ruhle 34 Nolan Ryan 35 Joe Sambito 45 Dave Smith 41 Bobby Sprowl		Catchers 14 Alan Ashby 13 Bruce Bochy  6 Luis Pujols Infielders 16 Dave Bergman 23 Enos Cabell 10 Mike Fischlin  9 Julio González 20 Danny Heep 18 Art Howe 17 Rafael Landestoy  8 Joe Morgan 12 Craig Reynolds 29 Denny Walling		Outfielders 28 César Cedeño 25 José Cruz 30 Jeffrey Leonard 22 Scott Loucks 21 Terry Puhl 15 Gary Woods Other batters 11 Alan Knicely		Manager  7 Bill Virdon Coaches  4 Deacon Jones  3 Don Leppert  5 Bob Lillis  2 Mel Wright

Game log

Regular season

Legend
	Astros win
	Astros loss
	Postponement
	Clinched division
Bold	Astros team member

1980 regular season game log: 93–70 (Home: 55–26; Away: 38–44)[7]
April: 13–5 (Home: 9–3; Away: 4–2) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 1 April 10 7:35 p.m. CST Dodgers W 3–2 Richard (1–0) Hooton (0–1) Sambito (1) 2:03 33,270 1–0 W1 2 April 11 7:35 p.m. CST Dodgers W 10–6 Smith (1–0) Stanhouse (0–1) – 2:58 30,701 2–0 W2 3 April 12 3:15 p.m. CST Dodgers L 5–6 (17) Howe (1–0) Smith (1–1) Hooton (1) 5:35 24,609 2–1 L1 4 April 13 2:05 p.m. CST Dodgers W 4–2 Forsch (1–0) Goltz (0–1) LaCorte (1) 2:19 33,676 3–1 W1 5 April 14 7:35 p.m. CST Braves W 5–4 Sambito (1–0) Garber (0–1) – 3:15 15,017 4–1 W2 6 April 15 7:35 p.m. CST Braves W 6–2 Niekro (1–0) McWilliams (0–2) – 2:14 15,712 5–1 W3 7 April 17 3:00 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 4–6 Reuss (1–0) Smith (1–2) – 3:06 45,476 5–2 L1 8 April 18 9:30 p.m. CST @ Dodgers W 7–4 Forsch (2–0) Goltz (0–2) Andújar (1) 3:20 41,112 6–2 W1 9 April 19 9:00 p.m. CST @ Dodgers W 2–0 Richard (2–0) Welch (0–1) – 2:40 50,112 7–2 W2 10 April 20 3:00 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 2–4 Reuss (2–0) Niekro (1–1) – 2:27 39,442 7–3 L1 11 April 21 7:35 p.m. CST Reds L 5–6 LaCoss (3–0) Ruhle (0–1) Hume (3) 3:09 29,067 7–4 L2 12 April 22 7:35 p.m. CST Reds W 8–0 Ryan (1–0) Pastore (2–1) – 2:45 30,094 8–4 W1 13 April 23 7:35 p.m. CST Reds L 2–3 (12) Hume (2–0) Andújar (0–1) Bair (1) 3:39 29,828 8–5 L1 14 April 25 7:35 p.m. CST Mets W 7–4 Richard (3–0) Falcone (1–1) – 2:52 24,140 9–5 W1 15 April 26 7:35 p.m. CST Mets W 6–0 Niekro (2–1) Glynn (0–1) LaCorte (2) 2:42 44,540 10–5 W2 16 April 27 2:05 p.m. CDT Mets W 4–3 (12) LaCorte (1–0) Allen (0–3) – 3:37 20,828 11–5 W3 17 April 29 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 3–0 Forsch (3–0) Leibrandt (1–2) – 2:14 18,092 12–5 W4 18 April 30 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 5–1 Richard (4–0) Seaver (1–1) – 2:21 19,821 13–5 W5
May: 12–14 (Home: 4–4; Away: 8–10) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 19 May 1 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 9–3 Niekro (3–1) LaCoss (3–2) – 3:00 18,215 14–5 W6 20 May 2 7:38 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 1–9 Hood (1–1) Ryan (1–1) Kaat (1) 2:39 23,009 14–6 L1 21 May 3 7:10 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–2 Ruhle (1–1) Martínez (1–2) Sambito (2) 2:10 23,292 15–6 W1 22 May 4 1:19 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–2 Forsch (4–0) Sykes (1–3) LaCorte (3) 2:37 17,262 16–6 W2 23 May 5 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 1–10 Palmer (1–0) Richard (4–1) – 2:41 5,477 16–7 L1 24 May 6 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 8–4 Niekro (4–1) Grimsley (1–2) – 2:33 5,503 17–7 W1 25 May 7 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 0–3 Sanderson (2–2) Ryan (1–2) Fryman (3) 2:29 7,386 17–8 L1 26 May 9 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–5 McWilliams (2–2) Forsch (4–1) Bradford (1) 2:21 11,111 17–9 L2 27 May 10 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 3–2 (11) LaCorte (2–0) Garber (1–2) Sambito (3) 3:15 13,798 18–9 W1 28 May 11 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–7 Niekro (2–4) Niekro (4–2) – 2:25 10,871 18–10 L1 29 May 13 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 2–3 Palmer (2–0) Ryan (1–3) – 2:42 24,835 18–11 L2 30 May 14 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 0–1 Sanderson (3–2) Forsch (4–2) Fryman (5) 2:19 20,636 18–12 L3 31 May 16 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 0–3 Ruthven (4–2) Richard (4–2) — 2:06 33,610 18–13 L4 32 May 17 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 2–4 Christenson (3–0) Niekro (4–3) Noles (3) 2:25 43,525 18–14 L5 33 May 18 2:05 p.m. CDT Phillies W 3–0 Ryan (2–3) Lerch (2–3) — 2:07 33,950 19–14 W1 34 May 20 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 3–2 Forsch (5–2) Swan (2–3) – 2:29 8,466 20–14 W2 35 May 21 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 1–5 Falcone (3–2) Richard (4–3) Allen (7) 2:37 4,233 20–15 L1 36 May 22 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 8–5 Niekro (5–3) Kobel (0–4) LaCorte (4) 2:55 7,812 21–15 W1 37 May 23 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 0–3 Carlton (8–2) Ryan (2–4) — 2:11 27,822 21–16 L1 38 May 24 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–5 Saucier (2–3) Andújar (0–2) McGraw (3) 2:28 28,539 21–17 L2 39 May 25 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 2–6 Ruthven (5–3) Forsch (5–3) — 2:10 37,340 21–18 L3 40 May 26 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 4–1 Richard (5–3) Curtis (3–4) Sambito (4) 2:59 18,242 22–18 W1 41 May 27 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 4–3 LaCorte (3–0) Fingers (5–5) – 2:47 18,246 23–18 W2 42 May 28 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 1–0 Ryan (3–4) Wise (2–3) – 2:30 19,697 24–18 W3 43 May 30 9:38 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 2–3 Blue (8–2) Forsch (5–4) – 2:19 10,511 24–19 L1 44 May 31 3:09 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 5–0 Richard (6–3) Montefusco (2–4) – 2:15 11,649 25–19 W1
June: 18–9 (Home: 13–4; Away: 5–5) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 45 June 1 3:09 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 2–6 Knepper (4–6) Niekro (5–4) – 2:35 19,801 25–20 L1 46 June 2 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 0–3 Wise (3–3) Ryan (3–5) Rasmussen (1) 2:16 27,176 25–21 L2 47 June 3 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 3–2 Ruhle (2–1) Jones (4–4) LaCorte (5) 2:20 12,363 26–21 W1 48 June 4 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 4–3 Forsch (6–4) Fingers (5–6) Sambito (5) 2:27 13,619 27–21 W2 49 June 6 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 2–0 Richard (7–3) Knepper (4–7) – 2:02 26,822 28–21 W3 50 June 7 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 3–0 Niekro (6–4) Whitson (2–7) – 2:05 42,263 29–21 W4 51 June 8 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 5–4 Sambito (2–0) Minton (2–3) – 2:30 28,327 30–21 W5 52 June 9 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 6–2 Forsch (7–4) Lamp (6–2) – 2:31 19,022 31–21 W6 53 June 10 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 5–2 Ruhle (3–1) Krukow (3–7) – 2:22 21,201 32–21 W7 54 June 11 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 3–0 Richard (8–3) Reuschel (5–6) – 2:18 31,599 33–21 W8 – June 12 Cubs Postponed (Schedule change) (Makeup date: June 9) 55 June 13 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 3–5 Solomon (4–0) Niekro (6–5) Tekulve (9) 2:35 31,854 33–22 L1 56 June 14 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 7–3 Ryan (4–5) Robinson (2–2) LaCorte (6) 3:08 33,922 34–22 W1 57 June 15 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 1–4 Candelaria (4–5) Forsch (7–5) – 2:08 49,541 34–23 L1 58 June 16 1:30 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 2–1 Ruhle (4–1) Hernández (1–5) Smith (1) 2:35 15,289 35–23 W1 59 June 17 1:30 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 7–1 Richard (9–3) McGlothen (3–4) Andújar (2) 2:54 19,480 36–23 W2 60 June 18 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 3–0 Niekro (7–5) Kaat (1–4) – 2:08 24,459 37–23 W3 61 June 19 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 2–0 Ryan (5–5) Sykes (1–6) Sambito (6) 2:02 24,663 38–23 W4 62 June 20 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 6–4 Forsch (8–5) Candelaria (4–6) Sambito (7) 2:14 35,955 39–23 W5 63 June 21 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 4–2 Ruhle (5–1) Blyleven (2–7) Sambito (8) 2:30 45,867 40–23 W6 64 June 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates L 1–2 Bibby (8–1) Niekro (7–6) Jackson (3) 2:33 46,213 40–24 L1 65 June 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 0–3 Sutcliffe (2–4) Andújar (0–3) – 2:29 29,753 40–25 L2 66 June 24 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 5–4 (12) LaCorte (4–0) Beckwith (3–1) – 4:13 34,388 41–25 W1 67 June 25 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 2–9 Welch (8–2) Forsch (8–6) – 2:50 34,416 41–26 L1 68 June 27 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 5–4 Niekro (8–6) Pastore (9–4) Sambito (9) 2:31 36,648 42–26 W1 69 June 28 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds L 5–8 Price (1–0) Richard (9–4) Hume (11) 3:08 44,025 42–27 L1 70 June 29 5:00 p.m. CDT Reds W 12–10 LaCorte (5–0) Soto (0–3) Sambito (10) 3:20 38,408 43–27 W1 71 June 30 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–5 (11) Hrabosky (4–1) Sambito (2–1) – 2:53 8,208 43–28 L1
July: 13–16 (Home: 8–6; Away: 5–10) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 72 July 1 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–13 Alexander (6–3) Niekro (8–7) – 2:47 9,546 43–29 L2 73 July 2 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 0–14 Niekro (6–10) Ruhle (5–2) – 2:27 21,908 43–30 L3 74 July 3 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 4–3 Richard (10–4) Boggs (3–4) LaCorte (7) 2:44 15,769 44–30 W1 75 July 4 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 1–8 Leibrandt (8–4) Ryan (5–6) – 2:42 37,047 44–31 L1 76 July 5 (1) 4:37 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 6–8 Soto (1–3) Forsch (8–7) – 2:46 N/A 44–32 L2 77 July 5 (2) 7:58 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 2–3 LaCoss (5–7) Andújar (0–4) Hume (12) 2:34 44,083 44–33 L3 78 July 6 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 3–2 Niekro (9–7) Pastore (10–5) LaCorte (8) 2:37 30,045 45–33 W1 — July 8 7:40 p.m. CDT 51st All-Star Game in Los Angeles, CA 79 July 10 9:30 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 3–4 Howe (3–4) Ryan (5–7) – 2:52 49,692 45–34 L1 80 July 11 7:10 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 2–3 Reuss (10–2) Forsch (8–8) Howe (8) 2:30 42,754 45–35 L2 81 July 12 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 9–5 Niekro (10–8) McWilliams (5–6) Smith (2) 2:54 38,610 46–35 W1 82 July 13 (1) 5:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 6–5 Sambito (3–1) Garber (2–5) LaCorte (9) 2:48 N/A 47–35 W2 83 July 13 (2) 8:58 p.m. CDT Braves W 6–1 Ruhle (6–2) Boggs (3–5) – 2:28 31,230 48–35 W3 84 July 14 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves L 0–2 Niekro (7–11) Pladson (0–1) – 2:19 20,247 48–36 L1 85 July 15 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 3–2 Sambito (4–1) Ruthven (8–6) — 2:08 24,223 49–36 W1 86 July 16 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 2–4 Walk (6–0) Forsch (8–9) — 2:06 28,532 49–37 L1 87 July 17 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 1–2 Carlton (15–4) Niekro (10–8) — 2:18 26,403 49–38 L2 88 July 18 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 4–5 (11) Fryman (4–4) Smith (1–3) Norman (4) 3:24 26,389 49–39 L3 89 July 19 (1) 5:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–2 Andújar (1–4) Lea (2–4) Smith (3) 2:44 40,499 50–39 W1 90 July 19 (2) 8:54 p.m. CDT Expos L 2–5 Gullickson (1–2) Pladson (0–2) – 2:35 39,507 50–40 L1 91 July 20 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–3 Sambito (5–1) Norman (0–1) – 2:16 28,513 51–40 W1 92 July 21 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 3–2 LaCorte (6–1) Allen (4–6) – 2:23 20,548 52–40 W2 93 July 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 6–5 Roberge (1–0) Glynn (3–3) Smith (4) 3:02 26,815 53–40 W3 94 July 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets L 3–4 Reardon (5–5) LaCorte (6–1) Allen (16) 2:44 30,236 53–41 L1 95 July 25 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 9–8 LaCorte (7–1) Sosa (5–4) – 3:31 50,217 54–41 W1 96 July 26 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 1–2 (12) Sahnsen (7–4) LaCorte (7–2) – 3:46 42,400 54–42 L1 97 July 27 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 6–3 Niekro (11–8) Lee (3–5) Smith (5) 3:02 41,107 55–42 W1 98 July 28 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 3–2 (10) Sambito (6–1) Reed (6–4) — 2:41 30,181 56–42 W2 99 July 29 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 6–9 Saucier (5–3) LaCorte (7–3) McGraw (8) 3:05 30,252 56–43 L1 100 July 30 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–6 Ruthven (10–7) Ryan (5–8) McGraw (9) 2:36 31,342 56–44 L2
August: 18–12 (Home: 9–4; Away: 9–8) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 101 August 1 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 4–5 Reardon (6–5) Smith (1–4) – 2:42 16,612 56–45 L3 102 August 2 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 3–5 Allen (5–6) Niekro (11–9) – 2:46 45,426 56–46 L4 103 August 3 1:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 3–2 (10) Sambito (7–1) Reardon (6–6) – 3:41 22,492 57–46 W1 104 August 4 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 4–2 Ryan (6–8) Hargesheimer (2–1) Sambito (11) 2:19 33,884 58–46 W2 105 August 5 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants L 3–9 Lavelle (5–5) Pladson (0–3) – 3:03 24,198 58–47 L1 106 August 6 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 1–0 Forsch (9–9) Blue (9–6) – 2:10 23,478 59–47 W1 107 August 7 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 1–5 Shirley (9–7) Niekro (11–10) – 2:59 20,044 59–48 L1 108 August 8 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–5 Eichelberger (3–0) Sambito (7–2) Fingers (15) 2:45 15,207 59–49 L2 109 August 9 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 9–5 Smith (2–4) D'Acquisto (2–3) – 2:50 21,233 60–49 W1 110 August 10 2:05 p.m. CDT Padres L 2–3 Wise (4–5) Sambito (7–3) – 2:21 20,514 60–50 L1 111 August 11 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 4–5 Blue (10–6) Forsch (9–10) Minton (12) 2:48 10,755 60–51 L2 112 August 12 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 0–2 Ripley (6–5) Niekro (11–11) Lavelle (6) 2:05 29,770 60–52 L3 113 August 13 2:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 5–6 (12) Rowland (1–0) Smith (2–5) – 3:42 10,149 60–53 L4 114 August 14 3:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 2–1 Ryan (7–8) Curtis (4–8) – 2:18 12,150 61–53 W1 115 August 15 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 3–1 (20) Smith (3–5) Rasmussen (2–9) – 6:17 14,177 62–53 W2 116 August 17 (1) 3:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–0 Forsch (10–10) Jones (5–12) – 2:06 N/A 63–53 W3 117 August 17 (2) 5:41 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 9–2 Niekro (12–11) Mura (4–5) – 2:23 16,120 64–53 W4 118 August 19 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 5–2 Ryan (8–8) Candelaria (8–13) Sambito (12) 2:23 39,415 65–53 W5 119 August 20 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 5–1 Ruhle (7–2) Bibby (15–3) Smith (6) 2:54 32,112 66–53 W6 120 August 21 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 12–5 Sambito (8–3) Blyleven (7–9) – 2:59 33,884 67–53 W7 121 August 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 3–2 (12) LaCorte (8–3) Caudill (1–3) – 3:24 34,118 68–53 W8 122 August 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 1–0 (17) Niekro (13–11) Riley (0–4) – 4:47 25,031 69–53 W9 123 August 24 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 2–1 Ryan (9–8) Caudill (1–4) – 2:22 25,703 70–53 W10 124 August 25 7:38 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 1–3 Hood (3–5) Ruhle (7–3) – 2:16 9,185 70–54 L1 125 August 26 7:37 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 7–2 Niekro (14–11) Kaat (5–6) – 2:18 10,859 71–54 W1 126 August 27 7:37 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 2–10 Martin (1–0) Forsch (10–11) – 2:41 10,025 71–55 L1 127 August 28 1:30 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 4–1 Andújar (2–4) Lamp (10–10) Sambito (13) 2:47 18,694 72–55 W1 128 August 29 1:30 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 6–5 Smith (4–5) Tidrow (5–5) LaCorte (10) 2:49 9,994 73–55 W2 129 August 30 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 2–0 Ruhle (8–3) McGlothen (9–10) – 2:47 18,803 74–55 W3 130 August 31 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 7–8 Tidrow (6–5) LaCorte (8–4) – 3:00 14,823 74–56 L1
September: 16–11 (Home: 10–5; Away: 6–6) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 131 September 1 (1) 10:00 a.m. CDT @ Pirates W 10–4 Smith (5–5) Robinson (5–8) – 3:07 N/A 75–56 W1 132 September 1 (2) 2:42 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 5–7 Rhoden (5–4) Pladson (0–4) Jackson (8) 2:57 26,374 75–57 L1 133 September 3 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 4–10 Candelaria (10–13) Andújar (2–5) Romo (9) 3:00 18,502 75–58 L2 134 September 5 7:40 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 5–7 Seaman (3–1) Sambito (8–4) Frazier (2) 3:15 19,628 75–59 L3 135 September 6 (1) 5:38 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 9–5 Niekro (15–11) Sykes (6–10) Niemann (1) 2:40 N/A 76–59 W1 136 September 6 (2) 8:49 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 6–4 Ruhle (9–3) Martin (1–1) – 2:02 34,350 77–59 W2 137 September 7 6:09 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 0–2 Vuckovich (10–9) Forsch (10–12) – 2:00 16,475 77–60 L1 138 September 9 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 5–4 Smith (6–5) Howe (6–7) Sambito (14) 3:06 34,546 78–60 W1 139 September 10 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 6–5 (12) Roberge (2–0) Sutcliffe (3–9) – 3:49 37,632 79–60 W2 140 September 12 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 5–3 Niekro (16–11) Whitson (9–11) Smith (7) 2:35 23,380 80–60 W3 141 September 13 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 3–2 Forsch (11–12) Blue (13–8) – 2:10 32,526 81–60 W4 142 September 14 6:05 p.m. CDT Giants W 6–4 Andújar (3–5) Montefusco (4–8) Sambito (15) 2:43 18,471 82–60 W5 143 September 15 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–6 Shirley (11–10) Ryan (9–9) – 2:30 9,578 82–61 L1 144 September 16 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–4 Curtis (8–8) Ruhle (9–4) Fingers (21) 2:57 20,383 82–62 L2 145 September 17 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 0–7 Soto (10–6) Niekro (16–12) – 2:37 25,092 82–63 L3 146 September 18 11:30 a.m. CDT @ Reds W 10–2 Forsch (12–12) Pastore (11–7) Sambito (16) 2:37 23,861 83–63 W1 147 September 19 9:40 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 3–4 Griffin (1–4) Andújar (3–6) Holland (6) 2:45 4,377 83–64 L1 148 September 20 3:07 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 3–2 Smith (7–5) Lavelle (6–7) Sambito (17) 2:53 16,770 84–64 W1 149 September 21 12:23 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 5–1 Ruhle (10–4) Blue (14–9) – 2:29 19,844 85–64 W2 150 September 22 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 4–2 Niekro (17–12) Shirley (11–11) – 2:40 16,513 86–64 W3 151 September 23 7:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 4–9 Curtis (9–8) Niemann (0–1) – 3:00 4,788 86–65 L1 152 September 24 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 2–4 Alexander (14–9) Andújar (3–7) Camp (20) 2:39 24,897 86–66 L2 153 September 25 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 4–2 Ryan (10–9) Niekro (15–16) Smith (8) 2:39 7,926 87–66 W1 154 September 26 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 2–0 Ruhle (11–4) Seaver (10–8) – 2:02 42,486 88–66 W2 155 September 27 2:05 p.m. CDT Reds W 2–0 Niekro (18–12) Soto (10–7) Smith (9) 2:25 40,305 89–66 W3 156 September 28 2:05 p.m. CDT Reds L 5–8 LaCoss (10–12) Andújar (3–8) Hume (24) 2:52 32,756 89–67 L1 157 September 30 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 7–3 Ryan (11–9) Alexander (14–10) Smith (10) 2:41 31,973 90–67 W1
October: 3–3 (Home: 2–0; Away: 1–3) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 158 October 1 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 5–2 Ruhle (12–4) Niekro (15–17) – 2:06 35,600 91–67 W2 159 October 2 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 3–2 Niekro (19–12) McWilliams (9–14) LaCorte (11) 2:35 45,022 92–67 W3 160 October 3 9:30 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 2–3 (10) Valenzuela (2–0) Forsch (12–13) – 2:45 49,642 92–68 L1 161 October 4 3:20 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–2 Reuss (18–6) Ryan (11–10) – 2:30 46,085 92–69 L2 162 October 5 3:00 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 3–4 Howe (7–9) LaCorte (8–5) Sutton (1) 3:33 52,339 92–70 L3 163 October 6 3:00 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 7–1 Niekro (20–12) Goltz (7–11) – 3:10 51,127 93–70 W1

Detailed records

National League Opponent W L WP RS RA NL East Chicago Cubs 11 1 0.917 48 23 Montreal Expos 5 7 0.417 41 49 New York Mets 8 4 0.667 51 42 Philadelphia Phillies 3 9 0.250 30 46 Pittsburgh Pirates 7 5 0.583 63 49 St. Louis Cardinals 7 5 0.583 44 46 Div Total 41 31 0.569 277 255 NL West Atlanta Braves 11 7 0.611 77 81 Cincinnati Reds 10 8 0.556 85 73 Houston Astros Los Angeles Dodgers 9 10 0.474 73 72 San Diego Padres 11 7 0.611 64 55 San Francisco Giants 11 7 0.611 61 53 Div Total 52 39 0.571 360 334 Season Total 93 70 0.571 637 589

Month Games Won Lost Win % RS RA April 18 13 5 0.722 88 53 May 26 12 14 0.462 79 91 June 27 18 9 0.667 102 87 July 29 13 16 0.448 108 135 August 30 18 12 0.600 118 98 September 27 16 11 0.593 121 111 October 6 3 3 0.500 21 14 Total 163 93 70 0.571 637 589 Games Won Lost Win % RS RA Home 81 55 26 0.679 329 255 Away 82 38 44 0.463 308 334 Total 163 93 70 0.571 637 589

Postseason Game log

Legend
	Astros win
	Astros loss
Bold	Astros team member

1980 Postseason game log: 2–3 (Home: 1–2; Away: 1–1)

NL Championship Series: vs. Philadelphia Phillies 2–3 (Home: 1–2; Away: 1–1)[8] # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/ Streak 1 October 7 7:15 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 1–3 Carlton (1–0) Forsch (0–1) McGraw (1) 2:35 65,277 PHI 1–0 L1 2 October 8 7:15 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 7–4 (10) LaCorte (1–0) Reed (0–1) Andújar (1) 3:34 65,476 Tied 1–1 W1 3 October 10 2:00 p.m. CDT Phillies W 1–0 (11) Smith (1–0) McGraw (0–1) — 3:22 44,443 HOU 2–1 W2 4 October 11 3:15 p.m. CDT Phillies L 3–5 (10) Brusstar (1–0) Sambito (0–1) McGraw (2) 3:55 44,952 Tied 2–2 L1 5 October 12 7:00 p.m. CDT Phillies L 7–8 (10) Ruthven (1–0) LaCorte (1–1) — 3:38 44,802 PHI 3–2 L2

Composite Box

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	R	H	E
Opponents	81	52	71	70	69	79	54	63	37	1	7	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	589	1367	73
Houston	94	101	80	70	67	57	62	50	40	2	6	5	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	637	1455	140

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	Alan Ashby	116	352	90	.256	3	48
1B	Art Howe	110	321	91	.283	10	46
2B	Joe Morgan	141	461	112	.243	11	49
3B	Enos Cabell	152	604	167	.276	2	55
SS	Craig Reynolds	137	381	86	.226	3	28
LF	José Cruz	160	612	185	.302	11	91
CF	César Cedeño	137	499	154	.309	10	73
RF	Terry Puhl	141	535	151	.282	13	55

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
Rafael Landestoy	149	393	97	.247	1	27
Denny Walling	100	284	85	.299	3	29
Luis Pujols	78	221	44	.199	0	20
Jeffrey Leonard	88	216	46	.213	3	20
Danny Heep	33	87	24	.276	0	6
Dave Bergman	90	78	20	.256	0	3
Gary Woods	19	53	20	.377	2	15
Julio González	40	52	6	.115	0	1
Bruce Bochy	22	22	4	.182	0	0
Scott Loucks	8	3	1	.333	0	0
Mike Fischlin	1	1	0	.000	0	0
Alan Knicely	1	1	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
Joe Niekro	37	256.0	20	12	3.55	127
Nolan Ryan	35	233.2	11	10	3.35	200
Ken Forsch	32	222.1	12	13	3.20	84
Vern Ruhle	28	159.1	12	4	2.37	55
J. R. Richard	17	113.2	10	4	1.90	119

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; S0 = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Joaquín Andújar	35	122.0	3	8	3.91	75
Gordie Pladson	12	41.1	0	4	4.35	13

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	64	90.1	8	4	17	2.19	75
Dave Smith	57	102.2	7	5	10	1.93	85
Frank LaCorte	55	83.0	8	5	11	2.82	66
Randy Niemann	22	33.0	0	1	1	5.45	18
Bert Roberge	14	24.1	2	0	0	5.92	9
Bobby Sprowl	1	1.0	0	0	0	0.00	3

National League Championship Series

Main article: 1980 National League Championship Series

Game 1

October 7: Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	0
Philadelphia	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	X	3	8	1
W: Steve Carlton (1–0)   L: Ken Forsch (0–1)   S: Tug McGraw (1)
HR: HOU – None  PHI – Greg Luzinski (1)
Pitchers: HOU – Forsch  PHI – Carlton, McGraw (8)
Attendance: 65,277

Game 2

October 8: Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Houston	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	4	7	8	1
Philadelphia	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	1	4	14	2
W: Frank LaCorte (1–0)   L: Ron Reed (0–1)   S: Joaquín Andújar (1)
HR: HOU – None  PHI – None
Pitchers: HOU – Ryan, Sambito (7), Smith (7), LaCorte (9), Andújar (10)  PHI – Ruthven, McGraw (8), Reed (9), Saucier (10)
Attendance: 65,476

Game 3

October 10: Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	R	H	E
Philadelphia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	6	1
W: Dave Smith (1–0)   L: Tug McGraw (0–1)   S: None
HR: PHI – None  HOU – None
Pitchers: PHI – Christenson, Noles (7), McGraw (8)  HOU – Niekro, Smith (11)
Attendance: 44,443

Game 4

October 11: Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Philadelphia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	2	5	13	0
Houston	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	3	5	2
W: Warren Brusstar (1–0)   L: Joe Sambito (0–1)   S: Tug McGraw (2)
HR: PHI – None  HOU – None
Pitchers: PHI – Carlton, Noles (6), Saucier (7), Reed (7), Brusstar (8), McGraw (10)  HOU – Ruhle, Smith (8), Sambito (8)
Attendance: 44,952

Game 5

October 12: Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Game 5 capped the series in fitting fashion, with seemingly endless surprises and excitement. The Astros jumped to an early lead in the first on a run-scoring double by José Cruz. Philadelphia bounced back to take the lead on a two-run single by Bob Boone in the second. The Astros saw Luis Pujols and Enos Cabell thrown out at the plate in the second and fifth, but finally broke through to tie the game 2–2 on an unearned run in the sixth, thanks to an error by Philadelphia's less than surehanded left fielder Greg Luzinski.

Houston took what seemed like a solid 5–2 lead in the seventh on an RBI single by Denny Walling, a wild pitch from Phillies reliever Larry Christenson, and a run-scoring triple by Art Howe. A three-run deficit in the eighth inning against Nolan Ryan seemed insurmountable. But the Phillies would not die. They loaded the bases with nobody out on three straight singles, including two infield hits, and then got two runs on a walk to Pete Rose and a groundout by Keith Moreland. An RBI single by Del Unser tied the game 5–5, and then Manny Trillo put the Phillies ahead with a two-run triple.

The Astros promptly came back to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth, with Rafael Landestoy and José Cruz each singling in a run. Neither team scored in the ninth, but the Phillies got doubles from Unser and Garry Maddox in the tenth to take an 8–7 lead. Philadelphia's Dick Ruthven retired the Astros in order in the bottom of the tenth, and the Phillies had won their first pennant since 1950. They went on to defeat the Kansas City Royals four games to two in the World Series.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Philadelphia	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	1	8	13	2
Houston	1	0	0	0	0	1	3	2	0	0	7	14	0
W: Dick Ruthven (1–0)   L: Frank LaCorte (1–1)   S: None
HR: PHI – None  HOU – None
Pitchers: PHI – Bystrom, Brusstar (6), Christenson (7), Reed (7), McGraw (8), Ruthven (9)  HOU – Ryan, Sambito (8), Forsch (8), LaCorte (9)
Attendance: 44,802

Composite Box

1980 National League Championship Series (3–2): Philadelphia Phillies over Houston Astros

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	R	H	E
Philadelphia Phillies	0	2	0	2	0	2	1	9	0	4	0	20	55	6
Houston Astros	1	0	2	1	1	1	4	3	1	4	1	19	40	3
Total Attendance: 264,950   Average Attendance: 52,990

Awards and achievements

• National League (NL) Pitcher of the Month^[9]—April: J. R. Richard
• The Sporting News Executive of the Year: Tal Smith

Individual league leaders

• Bases on balls (batting): Joe Morgan (93)
• Bases on balls (pitching): Nolan Ryan (98)

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	Fernando Tatís