1996 Houston Astros season

Offseason

• January 5, 1996: Anthony Young was signed as a free agent by the Astros.

Regular season

Summary

April

;Opening Day starting lineup

May

On May 7 against Philadelphia, Jeff Bagwell reached the 500th run batted in (RBI) of his career with two home runs and four RBI. By hitting his second upper-deck home run at Three Rivers Stadium on May 29 – it travelled 459 ft – Bagwell joined longtime Pirate Willie Stargell as the only players to homer twice into the stadium's upper deck.

Backup catcher Jerry Goff set a National League record and matched the MLB record on May 12 with six passed balls, tying Geno Petralli and Rube Vickers. Goff's miscues led to five unearned runs, allowing the Montreal Expos to defeat Houston, 7–6. At the plate, Goff homered and collected two hits; however, in spite of his strong offensive performance, the Astros optioned him to the Triple-A Tucson Toros following the game. This turned out to be his last appearance in the major leagues.

On May 24, Craig Biggio's two-run, ninth-inning blast tied the game and sent it into extra innings. Later, Astros outfielder John Cangelosi stroked a 10th-inning RBI single to finish off the Chicago Cubs for the 8–7 win.

For the month of May, Bagwell batted .360 with .740 SLG, 10 HR, 31 RBI, scored 22 runs, and stole four bases. He was named NL Player of the Month, his fourth career monthly award.

June

On June 14, Bagwell tied a major league record with four doubles in one game against the San Francisco Giants. Bagwell's achievement was the first in the major leagues since Billy Hatcher on August 21, 1990, as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. He joined Kevin Bass on June 27, 1987, as the second Houston Astro to slug four extra-base hits in a single game, also punishing San Francisco Giants pitching. Craig Biggio went deep and plated three, while Brian Hunter doubled and drove in three. Mike Hampton (5–3) tossed six sturdy innings while Billy Wagner closed out the final three frames for his first career save. Billy "The Kid" whiffed four of nine batters faced.

September

With one month remaining in the season, the Astros held a -game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals.

However, the Astros lost 17 of their final 25 games—including a season-high nine-game losing streak—and wound up losing the division lead, ultimately landing in second place and six games behind the first-place Cardinals. The Astros dismissed manager Terry Collins following the season.

Retirement of Nolan Ryan's uniform number 34

During a pre-game ceremony on September 29, 1996—the final day of the regular season—the Astros retired Nolan Ryan's jersey number 34. During his tenure in Houston, the "Ryan Express" became the fourth major league pitcher to notch his 3,000th strikeout (July 4, 1980), the first to whiff each of 4,000 (July 11, 1985) and 4,500 batters (September 9, 1987), tossed his record fifth no-hitter (September 25, 1981), and earned his 250th career victory (August 27, 1986).

In 282 games started with Astros, Ryan went 106–94 with a 3.13 earned run average (ERA), gaining two All-Star team selections while claiming two each of league ERA titles (1.69 in 1981, 2.76 in 1987) and strikeout titles (270 in 1987, 228 in 1988). Ryan became the first Astro to earn multiple ERA titles, and just the second to lead in strikeouts multiple seasons, following J. R. Richard. Ryan departed Houston as the Astros' career record holder for strikeouts (1,866), for most 10-K games with 53, as well having tossed the third 16-strikeout game in franchise history (September 9, 1987).

Ryan became the second major leaguer to have his jersey number retired by three teams on which they played, joining Frank Robinson.

Performance overview

With a final record of 82–80, the Astros increased their win total by six from the year prior, while their winning percentage dropped 0.022 points, a season shortened by a players' strike to 144 games. After their late-season collapse, the Astros produced a fifth consecutive season since 1992 with a record of at least .500—unprecedented in franchise history. The 1996 team was the fourth consecutive with a winning record, surpassing the 1979, 1980, 1981 clubs which set the prior record with three successive winning campaigns. The Astros maintained their consistency and extended this new record through the 1999 campaign.

Jeff Bagwell connected for 31 homers while establishing single-season club records with 48 doubles and 120 RBI. Derek Bell, who drove home 113 runs, joined Bagwell to generate the first instance in which the club rostered multiple hitters with 100-plus RBI during the same season.

Shane Reynolds and Darryl Kile both struck out upward of 200 batters.

Biggio was recognized with the Gold Glove Award at second base for the third consecutive year. Among Astros Gold Glove winners, only César Cedeño and Doug Rader had won more (5 each, both consecutively).

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 1 || Dodgers || 3–4 || Martinez || Reynolds (0–1) || Worrell || 34,375 || 0–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 2 || April 2 || Dodgers || 5–4 || Jones (1–0) || Cummings || — || 20,492 || 1–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 3 || April 3 || Dodgers || 5–2 || Hampton (1–0) || Nomo || Jones (1) || 14,858 || 2–1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 5 || Padres || 4–10 || Tewksbury || Kile (0–1) || — || 28,629 || 2–2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 6 || Padres || 4–8 (13) || Hoffman || Small (0–1) || — || 24,510 || 2–3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 6 || April 7 || Padres || 2–17 || Bergman || Swindell (0–1) || — || 16,258 || 2–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 7 || April 8 || Giants || 6–2 || Hampton (2–0) || VanLandingham || — || 13,488 || 3–4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 9 || Giants || 1–3 (10) || Juden || Tabaka (0–1) || Beck || 13,588 || 3–5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 10 || Giants || 5–11 || Fernandez || Kile (0–2) || — || 14,183 || 3–6 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 10 || April 11 || @ Reds || 9–4 || Reynolds (1–1) || Portugal || — || 18,946 || 4–6 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 11 || April 12 || @ Reds || 10–8 (10) || Jones (2–0) || Moore || Tabaka (1) || 24,960 || 5–6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 14 || @ Reds || 3–5 || Schourek || Hampton (2–1) || Brantley || — || 5–7 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 13 || April 14 || @ Reds || 8–9 || Shaw || Young (0–1) || Brantley || 21,552 || 5–8 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 14 || April 16 || @ Mets || 9–6 || Reynolds (2–1) || Isringhausen || Jones (2) || 13,795 || 6–8 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 15 || April 17 || @ Mets || 7–5 || Kile (1–2) || Wilson || Jones (3) || 12,065 || 7–8 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 16 || April 19 || Reds || 13–5 || Brocail (1–0) || Schourek || — || 22,728 || 8–8 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 20 || Reds || 1–6 || Smiley || Drabek (0–1) || — || 34,098 || 8–9 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 18 || April 21 || Reds || 7–5 || Jones (3–0) || Brantley || — || 27,845 || 9–9 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 19 || April 22 || @ Giants || 11–8 || Reynolds (3–1) || Leiter || — || 8,867 || 10–9 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 20 || April 23 || @ Giants || 8–4 || Kile (2–2) || VanLandingham || — || 8,439 || 11–9 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || April 24 || @ Dodgers || 2–5 || Valdez || Brocail (1–1) || — || 26,666 || 11–10 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 25 || @ Dodgers || 4–6 || Nomo || Drabek (0–2) || Worrell || 33,530 || 11–11 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || April 26 || @ Padres || 2–3 || Worrell || Hampton (2–2) || Hoffman || 21,254 || 11–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 24 || April 27 || @ Padres || 6–0 || Reynolds (4–1) || Ashby || — || 38,309 || 12–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 25 || April 28 || @ Padres || 3–2 || Kile (3–2) || Bergman || Jones (4) || 27,208 || 13–12 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 26 || April 29 || @ Padres || 0–2 || Hamilton || Brocail (1–2) || — || 8,979 || 13–13 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || April 30 || Braves || 5–7 || Smoltz || Jones (3–1) || McMichael || 17,795 || 13–14 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 28 || May 1 || Braves || 3–0 || Hampton (3–2) || Avery || — || 18,546 || 14–14 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 29 || May 3 || Expos || 4–1 || Reynolds (5–1) || Cormier || Jones (5) || 19,633 || 15–14 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 4 || Expos || 1–2 || Veres || Hernandez (0–1) || Rojas || 22,810 || 15–15 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 31 || May 5 || Expos || 0–5 || Fassero || Brocail (1–3) || — || 25,207 || 15–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 32 || May 6 || @ Phillies || 11–5 || Drabek (1–2) || Hunter || — || 15,906 || 16–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 33 || May 7 || @ Phillies || 7–5 || Young (1–1) || Springer || Jones (6) || 16,569 || 17–16 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 8 || @ Phillies || 1–2 (10) || Ryan || Tabaka (0–2) || — || 16,284 || 17–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 35 || May 9 || @ Expos || 11–4 || Kile (4–2) || Rueter || — || 12,470 || 18–17 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 10 || @ Expos || 2–5 || Fassero || Dougherty (0–1) || Rojas || 30,315 || 18–18 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 11 || @ Expos || 9–10 (13) || Dyer || Dougherty (0–2) || — || 26,084 || 18–19 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 38 || May 12 || @ Expos || 6–7 || Urbina || Hampton (3–3) || Rojas || 19,345 || 18–20 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 13 || @ Cubs || 0–6 || Trachsel || Reynolds (5–2) || — || 22,610 || 18–21 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 40 || May 14 || @ Cubs || 6–3 || Kile (5–2) || Navarro || Jones (7) || 17,562 || 19–21 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 41 || May 15 || @ Cubs || 7–5 || Wall (1–0) || Castillo || Jones (8) || 16,093 || 20–21 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || May 16 || @ Cubs || 1–13 || Telemaco || Drabek (1–3) || — || 15,902 || 20–22 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 43 || May 17 || Pirates || 4–2 || Reynolds (6–2) || Lieber || Jones (9) || 22,882 || 21–22 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 18 || Pirates || 1–2 (11) || Cordova || Young (1–2) || Plesac || 21,010 || 21–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 45 || May 19 || Pirates || 4–3 || Jones (4–1) || Lieber || — || 18,815 || 22–23 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 46 || May 20 || Cardinals || 3–5 || Osborne || Drabek (1–4) || — || 14,547 || 22–24 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || May 21 || Cardinals || 2–8 || Stottlemyre || Reynolds (6–3) || — || 17,935 || 22–25 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || May 22 || Cardinals || 2–5 || Benes || Kile (5–3) || Mathews || 15,353 || 22–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 49 || May 24 || Cubs || 8–7 (10) || Jones (5–1) || Patterson || — || 23,910 || 23–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 50 || May 25 || Cubs || 5–2 || Drabek (2–4) || Navarro || Jones (10) || 34,326 || 24–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 51 || May 26 || Cubs || 7–2 || Reynolds (7–3) || Castillo || — || 33,245 || 25–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 52 || May 27 || @ Pirates || 5–3 || Kile (6–3) || Smith || — || 8,906 || 26–26 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 53 || May 28 || @ Pirates || 5–6 || Miceli || Swindell (0–2) || Cordova || 7,182 || 26–27 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 54 || May 29 || @ Pirates || 7–4 || Morman (1–0) || Darwin || Jones (11) || 11,679 || 27–27 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 55 || May 31 || @ Cardinals || 4–6 || Osborne || Swindell (0–3) || Fossas || 37,625 || 27–28 |- |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 56 || June 1 || @ Cardinals || 4–5 (10) || Bailey || Hernandez (0–2) || — || 34,958 || 27–29 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 2 || @ Cardinals || 0–2 || Stottlemyre || Kile (6–4) || — || 32,703 || 27–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 58 || June 4 || Rockies || 16–8 || Hampton (4–3) || Thompson || — || 18,418 || 28–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 59 || June 5 || Rockies || 4–1 || Wall (2–0) || Reynoso || — || 14,954 || 29–30 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 60 || June 6 || Rockies || 7–14 || Ritz || Drabek (2–5) || — || 22,112 || 29–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 61 || June 7 || Phillies || 11–5 || Reynolds (8–3) || Crawford || — || 22,585 || 30–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 62 || June 8 || Phillies || 7–3 || Wagner (1–0) || Springer || — || 23,739 || 31–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 63 || June 9 || Phillies || 2–1 || Young (2–2) || Williams || Jones (12) || 30,180 || 32–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 64 || June 10 || @ Rockies || 10–9 || Wall (3–0) || Reynoso || — || 48,007 || 33–31 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 11 || @ Rockies || 5–7 || Alston || Young (2–3) || Ruffin || 48,014 || 33–32 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 66 || June 12 || @ Rockies || 0–8 || Freeman || Reynolds (8–4) || — || 48,024 || 33–33 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 67 || June 13 || @ Giants || 8–12 || Leiter || Kile (6–5) || — || 10,527 || 33–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 68 || June 14 || @ Giants || 9–1 || Hampton (5–3) || VanLandingham || Wagner (1) || 10,758 || 34–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 69 || June 15 || @ Giants || 4–3 || Wall (4–0) || Watson || Jones (13) || 18,530 || 35–34 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 70 || June 16 || @ Giants || 7–8 || DeLucia || Morman (1–1) || — || 27,624 || 35–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 71 || June 17 || Reds || 5–4 || Young (3–3) || Shaw || Jones (14) || 24,977 || 36–35 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 18 || Reds || 4–6 (10) || Brantley || Hernandez (0–3) || — || 20,505 || 36–36 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 73 || June 19 || Reds || 7–10 || Portugal || Hampton (5–4) || Brantley || 38,218 || 36–37 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 74 || June 20 || @ Dodgers || 4–2 || Wall (5–0) || Nomo || Jones (15) || 49,656 || 37–37 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 75 || June 21 || @ Dodgers || 11–3 || Drabek (3–5) || Candiotti || — || 33,273 || 38–37 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || June 22 || @ Dodgers || 0–3 || Martinez || Reynolds (8–5) || — || 37,844 || 38–38 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || June 23 || @ Dodgers || 3–4 || Worrell || Hernandez (0–4) || — || 35,467 || 38–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 78 || June 25 || @ Padres || 9–4 || Jones (6–1) || Sanders || — || 13,458 || 39–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 79 || June 26 || @ Padres || 4–3 || Wall (6–0) || Worrell || Wagner (2) || 12,388 || 40–39 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 80 || June 28 || Mets || 2–7 || Clark || Drabek (3–6) || Henry || 24,569 || 40–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 81 || June 29 || Mets || 9–1 || Reynolds (9–5) || Person || — || 35,454 || 41–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 82 || June 30 || Mets || 9–3 || Kile (7–5) || Isringhausen || — || 35,981 || 42–40 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 83 || July 1 || Marlins || 6–2 || Hampton (6–4) || Brown || — || 18,513 || 43–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 84 || July 2 || Marlins || 4–3 (12) || Johnstone (1–0) || Mathews || — || 18,897 || 44–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 85 || July 3 || Marlins || 4–3 || Drabek (4–6) || Leiter || Jones (16) || 24,537 || 45–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 86 || July 4 || @ Braves || 5–2 || Reynolds (10–5) || Smoltz || Hernandez (1) || 49,060 || 46–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 87 || July 5 || @ Braves || 7–1 || Kile (8–5) || Schmidt || — || 36,896 || 47–40 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 6 || @ Braves || 2–4 || Bielecki || Hampton (6–5) || — || 41,619 || 47–41 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 89 || July 7 || @ Braves || 1–9 || Maddux || Wall (6–1) || — || 28,716 || 47–42 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 90 || July 11 || @ Mets || 2–8 || Clark || Drabek (4–7) || — || 18,557 || 47–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 91 || July 12 || @ Mets || 3–1 || Reynolds (11–5) || Jones || Wagner (3) || 17,405 || 48–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 92 || July 14 || @ Mets || 7–5 (11) || Hernandez (1–4) || Mlicki || Jones (17) || — || 49–43 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 93 || July 14 || @ Mets || 3–10 || Harnisch || Hampton (6–6) || — || 33,505 || 49–44 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 94 || July 15 || @ Marlins || 5–15 || Pall || Wall (6–2) || — || 15,807 || 49–45 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 95 || July 16 || @ Marlins || 2–3 || Perez || Jones (6–2) || — || 15,610 || 49–46 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 96 || July 17 || @ Marlins || 2–11 || Leiter || Reynolds (11–6) || — || 16,345 || 49–47 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || July 18 || Braves || 2–3 || Smoltz || Jones (6–3) || Wohlers || 35,822 || 49–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 98 || July 19 || Braves || 7–6 || Kile (9–5) || Woodall || Wagner (4) || 39,090 || 50–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 99 || July 20 || Braves || 2–1 || Wagner (2–0) || Maddux || — || 49,674 || 51–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 100 || July 21 || Braves || 4–3 (10) || Hernandez (2–4) || McMichael || — || 45,561 || 52–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 101 || July 22 || Padres || 1–0 || Reynolds (12–6) || Hamilton || Wagner (5) || 21,563 || 53–48 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 102 || July 23 || Padres || 4–7 || Sanders || Hampton (6–7) || Hoffman || 19,620 || 53–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 103 || July 24 || Padres || 6–4 (10) || Hernandez (3–4) || Villone || — || 19,168 || 54–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 104 || July 26 || Dodgers || 4–3 || Darwin (1–0) || Guthrie || Wagner (6) || 27,089 || 55–49 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 105 || July 27 || Dodgers || 5–6 (11) || Osuna || Clark (0–1) || Worrell || 36,841 || 55–50 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 106 || July 28 || Dodgers || 3–2 || Darwin (2–0) || Eischen || — || 32,912 || 56–50 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 107 || July 29 || @ Reds || 2–1 || Hampton (7–7) || Portugal || Wagner (7) || 22,163 || 57–50 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 108 || July 30 || @ Reds || 4–5 (10) || Shaw || Clark (0–2) || — || 27,015 || 57–51 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 109 || July 31 || @ Reds || 0–10 || Smiley || Wall (6–3) || — || 26,082 || 57–52 |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 110 || August 2 || Giants || 5–1 || Drabek (5–7) || Gardner || Hernandez (2) || 22,682 || 58–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 111 || August 3 || Giants || 4–1 || Reynolds (13–6) || Estes || — || 35,930 || 59–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 112 || August 4 || Giants || 7–6 || Hampton (8–7) || Fernandez || Wagner (8) || 33,646 || 60–52 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 113 || August 6 || Expos || 5–7 || Fassero || Kile (9–6) || Rojas || 17,658 || 60–53 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 114 || August 7 || Expos || 5–13 || Leiter || Wall (6–4) || — || 19,703 || 60–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 115 || August 8 || Expos || 6–2 || Drabek (6–7) || Martinez || — || 26,632 || 61–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 116 || August 9 || @ Phillies || 5–1 || Reynolds (14–6) || West || — || 21,780 || 62–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 117 || August 10 || @ Phillies || 3–1 || Hampton (9–7) || Schilling || Wagner (9) || 18,486 || 63–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 118 || August 11 || @ Phillies || 10–5 || Kile (10–6) || Williams || — || 24,150 || 64–54 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 119 || August 12 || @ Expos || 1–8 || Leiter || Darwin (2–1) || — || 35,458 || 64–55 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 120 || August 13 || @ Expos || 4–7 || Martinez || Drabek (6–8) || Rojas || 17,103 || 64–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 121 || August 14 || @ Expos || 8–3 || Reynolds (15–6) || Cormier || — || 19,136 || 65–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 122 || August 16 || @ Cubs || 8–3 || Hampton (10–7) || Castillo || — || 37,139 || 66–56 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 123 || August 17 || @ Cubs || 3–12 || Trachsel || Kile (10–7) || — || 39,775 || 66–57 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 124 || August 18 || @ Cubs || 8–10 || Navarro || Brocail (1–4) || Wendell || 37,210 || 66–58 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 125 || August 19 || Pirates || 2–1 (13) || Morman (2–1) || Morel || — || 15,067 || 67–58 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 126 || August 20 || Pirates || 9–4 || Wall (7–4) || Miceli || Hernandez (3) || 19,866 || 68–58 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 127 || August 21 || Pirates || 2–5 || Neagle || Hampton (10–8) || Ericks || 13,357 || 68–59 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 128 || August 22 || Pirates || 6–8 || Wilkins || Wagner (2–1) || Ericks || 14,899 || 68–60 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 129 || August 23 || Cardinals || 0–1 || Osborne || Kile (10–8) || Eckersley || 35,554 || 68–61 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 130 || August 24 || Cardinals || 3–1 || Reynolds (16–6) || Stottlemyre || — || 43,258 || 69–61 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 131 || August 25 || Cardinals || 4–1 || Wall (8–4) || Benes || Hernandez (4) || 31,609 || 70–61 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 132 || August 26 || Cardinals || 2–3 || Benes || Hampton (10–9) || Eckersley || 21,624 || 70–62 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 133 || August 27 || Cubs || 6–5 || Morman (3–1) || Adams || Hernandez (5) || 15,374 || 71–62 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 134 || August 28 || Cubs || 5–4 || Olson (1–0) || Bottenfield || — || 18,026 || 72–62 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 135 || August 29 || Cubs || 3–4 || Navarro || Reynolds (16–7) || Wendell || 16,151 || 72–63 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 136 || August 30 || @ Pirates || 10–0 || Wall (9–4) || Peters || — || 24,619 || 73–63 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 137 || August 31 || @ Pirates || 5–4 || Hernandez (4–4) || Ericks || Hudek (1) || 27,559 || 74–63 |- |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 138 || September 1 || @ Pirates || 5–9 || Wainhouse || Darwin (2–2) || — || 14,144 || 74–64 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 139 || September 2 || @ Cardinals || 7–8 (10) || Benes || Brocail (1–5) || — || 32,955 || 74–65 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 140 || September 3 || @ Cardinals || 3–12 || Stottlemyre || Reynolds (16–8) || — || 23,955 || 74–66 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 141 || September 4 || @ Cardinals || 4–6 || Benes || Wall (9–5) || Eckersley || 34,891 || 74–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 142 || September 6 || Rockies || 2–1 || Hernandez (5–4) || Leskanic || — || 20,932 || 75–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 143 || September 7 || Rockies || 5–4 || Kile (11–8) || Holmes || Hudek (2) || 37,213 || 76–67 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 144 || September 8 || Rockies || 2–5 || Reed || Reynolds (16–9) || Ruffin || 31,316 || 76–68 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 145 || September 9 || Rockies || 2–4 || Ritz || Wall (9–6) || Ruffin || 13,833 || 76–69 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 146 || September 10 || Phillies || 4–3 || Morman (4–1) || Schilling || Hernandez (6) || 12,700 || 77–69 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 11 || Phillies || 8–10 || Parrett || Holt (0–1) || Bottalico || 17,300 || 77–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 148 || September 12 || Phillies || 4–1 || Kile (12–8) || Williams || — || 16,103 || 78–70 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 149 || September 13 || @ Rockies || 3–6 || Holmes || Hernandez (5–5) || Ruffin || 48,049 || 78–71 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 150 || September 14 || @ Rockies || 3–7 || Ritz || Wall (9–7) || — || 48,132 || 78–72 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 151 || September 15 || @ Rockies || 4–11 || Thompson || Drabek (6–9) || — || 48,038 || 78–73 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 152 || September 17 || @ Braves || 4–5 || Smoltz || Kile (12–9) || Wohlers || 32,109 || 78–74 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 153 || September 18 || @ Braves || 2–6 || Maddux || Hampton (10–10) || — || 29,885 || 78–75 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 154 || September 20 || @ Marlins || 1–3 || Brown || Reynolds (16–10) || Nen || 21,518 || 78–76 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || September 21 || @ Marlins || 1–2 || Heredia || Wagner (2–2) || — || 31,023 || 78–77 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 156 || September 22 || @ Marlins || 0–6 || Helling || Kile (12–10) || — || 17,461 || 78–78 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 157 || September 24 || Mets || 0–4 || Jones || Wall (9–8) || — || 39,511 || 78–79 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 158 || September 25 || Mets || 5–4 (10) || Hudek (1–0) || Wallace || — || 15,760 || 79–79 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 159 || September 26 || Mets || 6–2 || Drabek (7–9) || Trlicek || — || 13,751 || 80–79 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 160 || September 27 || Marlins || 2–3 || Hutton || Kile (12–11) || Nen || 21,725 || 80–80 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 161 || September 28 || Marlins || 5–1 || Darwin (3–2) || Heredia || — || 21,832 || 81–80 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 162 || September 29 || Marlins || 5–4 (10) || Hudek (2–0) || Hammond || — || 42,658 || 82–80

Detailed records

Notable transactions

• June 3, 1996: Greg Swindell was released by the Astros.
• June 4, 1996: Roy Oswalt was drafted by the Astros in the 23rd round of the 1996 Major League Baseball draft. Player signed May 18, 1997.
• July 23, 1996: Rich Loiselle was traded by the Astros to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Danny Darwin.
• July 27, 1996: Rick Wilkins and cash were traded by the Astros to the San Francisco Giants for Kirt Manwaring.

Roster

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

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; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and achievements

;Career honors

• Houston Astros uniform number retired—No. 34 : Nolan Ryan, Pitcher • In Houston 1980–1988 • 282 games • 2× MLB All-Star

;Awards

• Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball: Bob Watson
• Gold Glove Award—Second baseman: Craig Biggio
• Houston-Area Major League Player of the Year: Andy Pettitte (NYY)
• Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award: Jeff Bagwell
• Houston Astros Rookie of the Year: Billy Wagner
• MLB All-Star Game
  • Reserve first baseman / Home Run Derby contestant—Jeff Bagwell
  • Starting second baseman—Craig Biggio
• NL Player of the Month—May: Jeff Bagwell
• Silver Slugger Award—Second baseman: Craig Biggio
• The Sporting News NL All-Star—First baseman: Jeff Bagwell
• Topps All-Star Rookie Team—left-handed pitcher: Billy Wagner

;NL batting leaders

• Doubles: Jeff Bagwell (46)
• Games played: Jeff Bagwell & Craig Biggio (162)
• Hit by pitch: Craig Biggio (27—led MLB)

;NL fielding leaders

• Assists as RF: Derek Bell (16)

Minor league system

;Championships

• Texas League champions: Jackson

;Awards

• Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year: Bobby Abreu

References

;Footnotes

;Sources

References

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8. Schwartzberg, Seth. (May 12, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 12". [[SB Nation]].
9. Schwartzberg, Seth. (May 24, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 24". [[SB Nation]].
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