1981 Houston Astros season

Offseason

• December 4, 1980: Don Sutton was signed as a free agent by the Astros.
• December 8, 1980: Chris Bourjos was traded by the San Francisco Giants with Bob Knepper to the Houston Astros for Enos Cabell.
• March 27, 1981: Julio González was released by the Astros.

Regular season

Summary

April—May

The Astros played Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on April 9, where they were shut out by Los Angeles, 2–0. Both starting pitchers made their first Opening Day starts, with 36-year-old Astros veteran Joe Niekro—who, by winning the 1980 National League West tie-breaker game over the Dodgers, cemented his status as the Astros' first-ever two-time 20-game winner—faced off against 20-year-old southpaw phenom Fernando Valenzuela. Valenzuela's sensational performance resulted in the birth of "Fernandomania." The Astros were befuddled by Valenzuela's unusual delivery and screwball—an offering not shown with regularity since Carl Hubbell in the 1930s—as Valenzuela went the distance on a five-hitter. Only Craig Reynolds (two hits) and Art Howe (one hit and one base on balls) reached base more than once. César Cedeño became the first player to make as many as 10 Opening Day starts for the Astros.

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 Dodgers. He surrendered six in runs in a 7–4 loss.

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. 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, leading to recognition with the NL Player of the Month honors for May. His club record was tied in 1997 by Luis Gonzalez and stood until 2000, when Tony Eusebio reached in 24 straight.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

The Astros' win kept them games ahead of Cincinnati for the second-half division title.

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).

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. 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).

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. Knepper finished as runner-up in the NL in ERA (2.18) to Ryan, while Sutton (2.61) placed ninth. In his 15th major league season, it was the first time Ryan had led the league. 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, while Knepper established the club record for ERA in a qualified season among left-handers.

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.

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

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

• April 1, 1981: Chris Bourjos was traded by the Houston Astros with cash to the Baltimore Orioles for Kiko Garcia.
• April 3, 1981: Gary Rajsich was traded by the Astros to the New York Mets for John Csefalvay (minors).
• April 17, 1981: David Clyde was signed as a free agent by the Astros.
• April 20, 1981 - Dave Bergman and Jeffrey Leonard were traded by the Astros to the San Francisco Giants for Mike Ivie.
• June 7, 1981: Joaquín Andújar was traded by the Astros to the St. Louis Cardinals for Tony Scott.
• June 8, 1981: Eric Bullock was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1st round (20th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (secondary phase).

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanno01.shtml Nolan Ryan

Roster

Game log

Regular season (First half)

|-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" | 4 || April 13 || 7:35p.m. CST || Braves || L 1–2 (10) || Camp (1–0) || Sambito (0–1) || Bradford (1) || 2:57 || 34,961 || 0–4 || L4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 5 || April 14 || 7:35p.m. CST || Braves || W 8–2 || Niekro (1–1) || Walk (0–1) || – || 2:38 || 21,440 || 1–4 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 6 || April 15 || 7:35p.m. CST || Braves || W 2–0 || Ryan (1–0) || Boggs (0–1) || LaCorte (1) || 2:00 || 22,365 || 2–4 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 7 || April 17 || 7:35p.m. CST || Pirates || L 3–4 || Rhoden (2–0) || Sutton (0–2) || Romo (2) || 2:28 || 39,119 || 2–5 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 8 || April 18 || 12:50p.m. CST || Pirates || L 3–6 (11) || Jackson (1–0) || Smith (0–1) || – || 3:06 || 29,790 || 2–6 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 9 || April 19 || 2:05p.m. CST || Pirates || L 0–2 || Scurry (1–0) || Niekro (1–2) || Solomon (1) || 2:21 || 30,394 || 2–7 || L3 |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#cfc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" | 13 || April 23 || 7:35p.m. CST || Reds || L 4–5 (10) || Price (1–0) || Smith (0–2) || Moskau (1) || |3:06 || 23,173 || 3–10 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 14 || April 24 || 7:35p.m. CST || Reds || L 0–3 || Pastore (1–0) || Niekro (1–3) || – || 2:23 || 27,087 || 3–11 || L3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 15 || April 25 || 12:50p.m. CST || Reds || L 1–2 || Berenyi (2–0) || Ryan (1–1) || Hume (1) || 2:45 || 19,957 || 3–12 || L4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 16 || April 26 || 2:05p.m. CDT || Reds || W 1–0 || Knepper (2–0) || Soto (1–3) || – || 2:21 || 23,428 || 4–12 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 17 || April 28 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Braves || W 2–1 || Sutton (1–3) || Montefusco (1–2) || Smith (1) || 2:34 || 8,669 || 5–12 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 18 || April 29 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Braves || W 5–4 || LaCorte (1–0) || Camp (2–1) || – || 3:18 || 8,334 || 6–12 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 19 || April 30 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Braves || W 5–1 || Niekro (2–3) || Boggs (1–3) || – || 2:19 || 10,006 || 7–12 || W4 |- |-style="background:#cfc;" | 20 || May 1 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Pirates || W 5–3 || Sambito (1–1) || Solomon (0–1) || – || 3:01 || 7,012 || 8–12 || W5 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 21 || May 2 || 6:05p.m. CDT || @ Pirates || L 4–5 (12) || Solomon (1–1) || Smith (0–3) || – || 3:56 || 21,993 || 8–13 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 22 || May 3 || 12:35p.m. CDT || @ Pirates || W 3–1 || Sutton (2–3) || Bibby (1–1) || Smith (2) || 3:15 || 10,438 || 9–13 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 23 || May 4 || 1:35p.m. CDT || @ Cubs || W 5–4 || Andújar (1–1) || Krukow (1–2) || Sambito (1) || 3:02 || 2,941 || 10–13 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 24 || May 5 || 1:35p.m. CDT || @ Cubs || W 4–3 || Smith (1–3) || Smith (0–2) || – || 2:41 || 2,092 || 11–13 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 25 || May 6 || 1:35p.m. CDT || @ Cubs || L 1–2 (11) || Smith (1–2) || LaCorte (1–1) || – || 3:27 || 2,572 || 11–14 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 26 || May 7 || 1:35p.m. CDT || @ Cubs || W 6–0 || Knepper (3–0) || Martz (1–1) || – || 2:40 || 3,112 || 12–14 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 27 || May 8 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Reds || L 0–4 || Seaver (3–1) || Sutton (2–4) || – || 2:21 || 31,961 || 12–15 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 28 || May 9 || 1:15p.m. CDT || @ Reds || L 5–9 || Berenyi (3–1) || Andújar (1–2) || – || 2:38 || 30,860 || 12–16 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 29 || May 10 || 1:35p.m. CDT || @ Reds || W 7–5 || Niekro (3–3) || Pastore (1–1) || LaCorte (2) || 2:44 || 31,903 || 13–16 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 30 || May 11 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Reds || W 5–0 || Ryan (2–1) || LaCoss (1–4) || – || 2:36 || 11,795 || 14–16 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 31 || May 12 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Cardinals || L 2–3 (10) || Sutter (1–1) || Sambito (1–2) || Kaat (2) || 2:26 || 20,020 || 13–17 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 32 || May 13 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Cardinals || W 3–0 || Sutton (3–4) || Shirley (4–1) || – || 2:24 || 21,705 || 14–17 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 33 || May 14 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Cardinals || L 6–7 || Otten (1–0) || Sambito (1–3) || Sutter (6) || 2:54 || 20,042 || 14–18 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 34 || May 15 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Cubs || W 5–0 || Niekro (4–3) || Caudill (0–3) || – || 2:16 || 23,718 || 16–18 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 35 || May 16 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Cubs || W 6–1 || Ryan (3–1) || Martz (1–2) || Sambito (2) || 2:48 || 43,726 || 17–18 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 36 || May 17 || 2:35p.m. CDT || Cubs || W 6–1 || Knepper (4–0) || Krukow (1–4) || – || 2:34 || 34,068 || 18–18 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 37 || May 19 || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || L 12–15 || Kaat (2–0) || Sprowl (0–1) || – || 3:03 || 14,585 || 18–19 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 38 || May 20 || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || W 4–3 (11) || Niekro (5–3) || Sutter (1–2) || Sambito (3) || 2:47 || 19,175 || 19–19 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 39 || May 21 || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || L 1–3 || Martin (1–0) || Ryan (3–2) || – || 2:13 || 19,823 || 19–20 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 40 || May 22 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Giants || L 3–6 (15) || Minton (2–2) || Andújar (1–3) || – || 4:38 || 30,377 || 19–21 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 41 || May 23 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Giants || W 5–3 || LaCorte (2–1) || Whitson (1–5) || – || 3:09 || 38,586 || 20–21 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 42 || May 24 || 5:00p.m. CDT || Giants || L 1–2 || Blue (4–3) || Sutton (3–5) || Minton (9) || 2:26 || 34,922 || 20–22 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 43 || May 25 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Padres || W 6–3 || Niekro (6–3) || Mura (1–7) || Sambito (4) || 2:41 || 19,025 || 21–22 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 44 || May 26 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Padres || W 1–0 || Ryan (4–2) || Eichelberger (4–3) || Sambito (5) || 2:23 || 17,709 || 22–22 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 45 || May 27 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Padres || W 1–0 || Knepper (5–0) || Welsh (2–3) || – || 1:50 || 21,256 || 23–22 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 46 || May 29 || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Giants || L 1–3 || Blue (5–3) || Sutton (3–6) || Holland (2) || 2:22 || 8,397 || 23–23 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 47 || May 30 || 3:05p.m. CDT || @ Giants || W 9–8 (14) || Andújar (2–3) || Breining (1–1) || Ruhle (1) || 4:33 || 8,869 || 24–23 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 48 || May 31 || 3:05p.m. CDT || @ Giants || L 1–6 || Griffin (4–3) || Ryan (4–3) || Holland (3) || 2:34 || 20,626 || 24–24 || L1 |- |-style="background:#cfc;" | 49 || June 2 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 2–1 || LaCorte (3–1) || Welsh (2–4) || Sambito (6) || 2:19 || 9,671 || 25–24 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 50 || June 3 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 6–1 || Sutton (4–6) || Wise (2–5) || – || 2:25 || 10,023 || 26–24 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 51 || June 4 || 3:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || L 5–7 || Mura (3–7) || Niekro (6–4) || Lucas (8) || 2:31 || 12,403 || 26–25 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 52 || June 5 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mets || W 3–0 || Ryan (5–3) || Jones (1–6) || – || 2:09 || 28,085 || 27–25 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 53 || June 6 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mets || W 6–2 || Ruhle (1–1) || Zachry (5–6) || Smith (3) || 2:17 || 42,478 || 28–25 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 54 || June 7 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mets || L 1–3 || Scott (3–4) || Knepper (5–1) || Allen (6) || 2:13 || 29,873 || 28–26 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 55 || June 8 || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Phillies || L 3–4 || Ruthven (8–3) || Sutton (4–7) || McGraw (6) || 2:41 || 31,664 || 28–27 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 56 || June 9 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Phillies || L 3–10 || Bystrom (4–3) || Niekro (6–5) || Reed (5) || 2:17 || 33,978 || 28–28 || L3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 57 || June 10 || 6:35p.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)

|-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 12 || || @ Mets || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 13 || || @ Mets || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 14 || || @ Mets || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 15 || || @ Expos || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 16 || || @ Expos || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 17 || || Phillies || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 18 || || Phillies || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 19 || || Expos || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 20 || || Expos || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 21 || || Expos || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 23 || || @ Pirates || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 24 || || @ Pirates || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 25 || || @ Pirates || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |-style="background:#bbb;" |-style="background:#bbb;" |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 29 || || Reds || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| June 30 || || Reds || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |- |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 1 || || Reds || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 3 || || @ Braves || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 4 || || @ Braves || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 5 || || @ Braves || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |-style="background:#bbb;" |-style="background:#bbb;" |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 10 || || Braves || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 11 || || Braves || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 12 || || Braves || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 16 || || @ Reds || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 17 || || @ Reds || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 18 || || @ Reds || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 19 || || @ Cubs || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 20 || || @ Cubs || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 21 || || Pirates || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 22 || || Pirates || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 23 || || Pirates || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 24 || || Cardinals || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 25 || || Cardinals || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 26 || || Cardinals || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 27 || || Cubs || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 28 || || Cubs || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 29 || || Cubs || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| July 31 || || @ Cardinals || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |- |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| August 1 || || @ Cardinals || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| August 2 || || @ Cardinals || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| August 3 || || Giants || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| August 4 || || Giants || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| August 5 || || Giants || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| August 7 || || Padres || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| August 8 || || Padres || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-style="background:#bbb;" |–|| August 9 || || Padres || colspan=8 | Canceled (Strike) |-

Regular season (Second half)

|-style=background:#bbbfff |-style="background:#cfc;" | 1 (58) || August 10 || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Giants || W 6–5 || Sambito (2–3) || Breining (2–2) || LaCorte (3) || 3:08 || 11,115 || 1–0 (29–29) || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 2 (59) || August 11 || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Giants || L 2–3 || Griffin (5–5) || Niekro (6–6) || Minton (10) || 2:36 || 12,354 || 1–1 (29–30) || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 3 (60) || August 12 || 2:05p.m. CDT || @ Giants || W 5–4 || Sambito (3–3) || Holland (3–3) || Smith (1) || 2:51 || 8,707 || 2–1 (30–30) || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 4 (61) || August 13 || 3:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || L 1–9 || Welsh (4–4) || Knepper (5–2) || – || 2:29 || 4,899 || 2–2 (30–31) || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 5 (62) || August 14 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 5–1 || Ryan (6–3) || Lollar (1–5) || – || 2:24 || 8,414 || 3–2 (31–31) || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 6 (63) || August 15 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 5–0 || Sutton (5–7) || Eichelberger (6–4) || – || 1:59 || 5,852 || 4–2 (32–31) || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 7 (64) || August 16 || 3:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 3–0 || Niekro (7–6) || Mura (4–9) || Smith (4) || 2:16 || 5,880 || 5–2 (33–31) || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 8 (65) || August 17 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Expos || L 2–6 || Burris (5–5) || Ruhle (1–2) || Fryman (4) || 2:19 || 24,203 || 5–3 (33–32) || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 9 {66) || August 18 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Expos || W 4–2 || Knepper (6–2) || Rogers (8–5) || Sambito (7) || 2:04 || 23,306 || 6–3 (34–32) || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 10 (67) || August 19 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Expos || W 9–1 || Ryan (7–3) || Sanderson (6–4) || Smith (5) || 2:39 || 27,169 || 7–3 (35–32) || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 11 (68) || August 21 || 7:05p.m. CDT || @ Phillies || L 4–5 || Lyle (6–2) || Ruhle (1–3) || McGraw (8) || 2:41 || 31,693 || 7–4 (35–33) || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 12 (69) || August 22 || 1:15p.m. CDT || @ Phillies || L 4–8 || Ruthven (9–5) || Niekro (7–7) || – || 2:16 || 35,199 || 7–5 (35–34) || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 13 (70) || August 23 || 6:05p.m. CDT || @ Phillies || L 0–6 || Carlton (10–3) || Knepper (6–3) || – || 1:51 || 30,630 || 7–6 (35–35) || L3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 14 (71) || August 25 || 7:05p.m. CDT || @ Mets || L 1–2 || Marshall (1–0) || Sambito (3–4) || – || 2:32 || 15,622 || 7–7 (35–36) || L4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 15 (72) || August 26 || 7:05p.m. CDT || @ Mets || W 9–3 || Sutton (6–7) || Zachry (6–9) || – || 2:34 || 16,731 || 8–7 (36–36) || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 16 (73) || August 27 || 1:05p.m. CDT || @ Mets || L 2–3 || Marshall (2–0) || Sambito (3–5) || Allen (12) || 2:28 || 17,488 || 8–8 (36–37) || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 17 (74) || August 28 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Phillies || W 3–2 (10) || Smith (2–3) || Lyle (6–3) || – || 2:37 || 29,482 || 9–8 (37–37) || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 18 (75) || August 29 (1) || 5:35p.m. CDT || Phillies || W 6–1 || Ruhle (2–3) || Davis (0–2) || – || 2:22 || N/A || 10–8 (38–37) || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 19 (76) || August 29 (2) || 8:32p.m. CDT || Phillies || W 2–1 || Smith (1–0) || Noles (0–1) || LaCorte (4) || 2:01 || 33,327 || 11–8 (39–37) || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 20 (77) || August 30 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Phillies || W 5–4 (10) || Smith (3–3) || Lyle (6–4) || – || 2:53 || 23,102 || 12–8 (40–37) || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 21 (78) || August 31 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mets || W 6–1 || Sutton (7–7) || Zachry (6–10) || – || 2:27 || 10,669 || 13–8 (41–37) || W5 |- |-style="background:#cfc;" | 22 (79) || September 1 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mets || W 3–2 || Sambito (4–5) || Marshall (2–1) || – || 2:39 || 16,339 || 14–8 (42–37) || W6 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 23 (80) || September 2 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mets || W 8–0 || Knepper (7–3) || Scott (4–8) || – || 2:21 || 18,938 || 15–8 (43–37) || W7 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 24 {81) || September 3 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Expos || W 2–1 || Ruhle (3–3) || Sanderson (7–5) || Smith (6) || 2:20 || 24,833 || 16–8 (44–37) || W8 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 25 (82) || September 4 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Expos || W 5–0 || Ryan (8–3) || Gullickson (4–7) || Sambito (8) || 2:54 || 32,580 || 17–8 (45–37) || W9 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 26 (83) || September 5 || 1:15p.m. CDT || @ Expos || L 2–5 || Burris (7–5) || Sutton (7–8) || – || 2:13 || 30,471 || 17–9 (45–38) || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 27 (84) || September 6 || 12:35p.m. CDT || @ Expos || W 4–3 (12) || LaCorte (4–2) || Sosa (1–2) || – || 3:33 || 47,193 || 18–9 (46–38) || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 28 (85) || September 7 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Braves || W 3–2 || Smith (4–3) || Camp (7–2) || Sambito (9) || 2:40 || 7,358 || 19–9 (47–38) || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 29 (86) || September 8 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Braves || L 2–3 || Camp (8–2) || Smith (1–1) || – || 2:13 || 2,800 || 19–10 (47–39) || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 30 (87) || September 9 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Braves || L 0–9 || Niekro (7–5) || Ryan (8–4) || – || 2:34 || 4,482 || 19–11 (47–40) || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 31 (88) || September 11 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Giants || W 6–0 || Sutton (8–8) || Blue (8–6) || – || 2:30 || 23,677 || 20–11 (48–40) || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 32 (89) || September 12 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Giants || W 5–2 || Niekro (8–7) || Whitson (5–8) || Smith (7) || 2:39 || 35,867 || 21–11 (49–40) || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 33 (90) || September 13 || 5:00p.m. CDT || Giants || W 3–0 || Knepper (8–3) || Alexander (8–7) || LaCorte (5) || 2:32 || 19,642 || 22–11 (50–40) || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 34 (91) || September 14 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Reds || L 2–4 || Berenyi (8–5) || Ruhle (3–4) || – || 2:30 || 19,742 || 22–12 (50–41) || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 35 (92) || September 15 || 5:00p.m. CDT || Reds || L 0–4 || Leibrandt (1–0) || Ryan (8–5) || – || 2:26 || 16,354 || 22–13 (50–42) || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 36 (93) || September 16 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 5–2 || Sutton (9–8) || Lollar (1–8) || Sambito (10) || 2:35 || 4,241 || 23–13 (51–42) || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 37 (94) || September 17 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 9–0 || Niekro (9–7) || Mura (5–13) || – || 2:14 || 2,428 || 24–13 (52–42) || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 38 (95) || September 18 || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Giants || L 2–5 || Alexander (9–7) || Knepper (8–4) || Holland (7) || 2:26 || 8,183 || 24–14 (52–43) || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 39 (96) || September 19 || 3:05p.m. CDT || @ Giants || W 8–1 || Ruhle (4–4) || Griffin (8–7) || – || 2:26 || 11,522 || 25–14 (53–43) || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 40 (97) || September 20 || 3:05p.m. CDT || @ Giants || W 7–3 || Ryan (9–5) || Lavelle (0–6) || – || 3:04 || 16,824 || 26–14 (54–43) || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 41 (98) || September 22 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Braves || W 3–0 || Sutton (10–8) || Perry (7–8) || – || 2:16 || 22,564 || 27–14 (55–43) || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 42 (99) || September 23 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Braves || L 1–3 || Mahler (6–6) || Niekro (9–8) || – || 2:13 || 24,142 || 27–15 (55–44) || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 43 (100) || September 24 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Braves || W 5–3 || Knepper (9–4) || McWilliams (1–1) || Smith (8) || 2:17 || 23,341 || 28–15 (56–44) || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#cfc;" |-style="background:#cfc;" |-style="background:#cfc;" | 47 (104) || September 28 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Padres || W 2–1 || Sambito (5–5) || Eichelberger (8–8) || – || 2:07 || 21,576 || 31–16 (59–45) || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 48 (105) || September 29 || 7:35p.m. CDT || Padres || L 1–2 || Wise (4–8) || Knepper (9–5) || Lucas (12) || 2:19 || 34,732 || 31–17 (59–46) || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 49 (106) || September 30 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Reds || L 2–3 || Soto (11–9) || Ruhle (4–6) || Hume (13) || 2:14 || 24,394 || 31–18 (59–47) || L2 |- |-style="background:#cfc;" | 50 (107) || October 1 || 4:00p.m. CDT || @ Reds || W 8–1 || Ryan (11–5) || Berenyi (9–6) || – || 3:12 || 26,484 || 32–18 (60–47) || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#090;"

Detailed records

Postseason Game log

|-style="background:#cfc;" |-style="background:#cfc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#fcc;"

Major League Baseball draft

;Houston Astros 1981 MLB draft selections

• Round 1:
• Round 3 – no. 75: Curtis Burks – OF • Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee • Signed • Career

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

Other batters

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

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

Other pitchers

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

Relief pitchers

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

1981 National League Division Series

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros

Los Angeles wins series, 3-2.

Awards and achievements

;Awards

• Houston Astros Most Valuable Player Award (MVP): Nolan Ryan
• MLB All-Star Game:
  • Bob Knepper—Reserve pitcher
  • Nolan Ryan—Reserve pitcher
• NL Player of the Month—May:
• NL Player of the Week—April 26: Bob Knepper
• The Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year: Bob Knepper

;Individual batting leaders

• Triples: Craig Reynolds (12)

;Individual pitching leaders

• Earned run average: Nolan Ryan (1.69)
• Walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP): Don Sutton (1.015)

Minor league system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Daytona Beach

Notes

References

References

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3. "Chris Bourjos stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com.
4. "Julio González stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com.
5. (April 9, 1981). "Houston Astros (0) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (2) box score". [[Baseball Almanac]].
6. "1981 Houston Astros uniform numbers". Baseball-Reference.com.
7. Scheller, Jason. (April 9, 1981). "The birth of Fernandomania on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium". [[Society for American Baseball Research]] (SABR).
8. "Houston Astros Opening Day starters". Baseball-Reference.com.
9. Hulsey, Bob. "This date in Astros history". Astros Daily.
10. Schwartzberg, Seth. (May 24, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 24". [[SB Nation]].
11. Smith, David. "Houston Astros hitting streaks". Astros Daily.
12. "MLB Players of the Month Awards". Baseball-Reference.com.
13. Clack. (May 8, 2012). "Astros History: A 30 Game Hitting Streak in 2006". SB Nation.
14. Schwartzberg, Seth. (June 5, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 5". SB Nation.
15. Schwartzberg, Seth. (June 10, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 10". [[SB Nation]].
16. "Big Days in Astros History – September 26, 1981 – Nolan Ryan pitches his fifth no-hitter". Astros Daily.
17. (September 26, 1981). "Los Angeles Dodgers (0) vs Houston Astros (5) box score". Baseball-Reference.com.
18. "No-hitter records". Baseball Almanac.
19. "Official no-hitters in Major League Baseball". Baseball Almanac.
20. Rappoport, Ken. (October 3, 1981). "Astros lose game, and Don Sutton". [[The Day (New London).
21. McTaggart, Brian. (October 5, 2022). "106-win Astros rack up milestones in final game". MLB.com.
22. "Houston Astros team yearly pitching stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
23. "Yearly league leaders & records for earned run average". Baseball-Reference.com.
24. "1981 National League pitching leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
25. "Nolan Ryan stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com.
26. "Astros history – Timeline". [[MLB.com]].
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28. "Player pitching season & career stats finder–baseball". [[Sports Reference]].
29. McTaggart, Brian. (December 21, 2009). "Bourn highlights Astros' awards season". MLB.com.
30. "Gary Rajsich stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com.
31. "David Clyde stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com.
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33. "Joaquín Andújar stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com.
34. "Eric Bullock Stats".
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36. "1981 Houston Astros Schedule & Results (Second half)".
37. "1981 National League Western Division Series".
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39. "MLB Players of the Week Awards". Baseball-Reference.com.
40. "The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award winners". Baseball Almanac.