1988 Houston Astros season

Did You Know?

• Catcher Ronn Reynolds was released by the Astros on October 13, 1987.
• On December 8, 1987, the Astros traded third baseman Ed Whited and minor-league pitcher Mike Stoker to the Atlanta Braves for Rafael Ramírez and cash.
• Pitcher Joaquín Andújar was signed as a free agent by the Astros on January 8, 1988.

Regular season

On April 5, the Astros opened their season at home against the San Diego Padres. Mike Scott made his second consecutive Opening Day start and allowed two runs in the top of the eighth inning. In the bottom of the frame, Kevin Bass delivered a two-run single that sparked a five-run rally, and Houston held on for a 6–3 victory. The win was the 2,000th in franchise history. On April 10, Bass hit the Astros' first-ever grand slam at Riverfront Stadium, a pinch-hit homer off Pat Perry in the top of the ninth inning that capped a 12–3 rout of the Cincinnati Reds. Glenn Davis also homered, and Scott earned the complete-game win. On April 27, Nolan Ryan came within two outs of his sixth no-hitter, carrying a 2–0 lead into the top of the ninth against the Philadelphia Phillies. After an error and a single by Mike Schmidt, Lance Parrish tied the game with a two-run double. In the bottom of the tenth, Glenn Davis scored the winning run on a fielder's choice by Craig Reynolds. On May 8, second baseman Bill Doran tied a major league record for a nine-inning game by turning six double plays. On May 13, Ryan threw his first complete game in over two years, leading an 8–2 win over the Chicago Cubs. Davis drove in four runs, and Gerald Young collected four hits.