2005 Houston Astros season

Offseason

Summar

In February 2005, longtime Astros players Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio were jointly inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Transactions

• January 7, 2005: Adam Riggs was signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.
• January 7, 2005: Turk Wendell was signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.
• January 23, 2005: John Franco signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.
• February 11, 2005: Trenidad Hubbard was signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.

Regular season

Summary

April—May

;Opening Day starting lineup

The Astros hosted the Chicago Cubs on April 29, which featured a matchup between aces Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux, both already 300-game winners. Clemens worked 7 innings with three runs allowed and four strikeouts, while Maddux surrendered two runs over six innings, striking out three. First baseman Jeff Bagwell, who was playing through injury, hit his final major league home run against Maddux on April 29, tying him for the most against any pitcher with seven. With the contest tied 2–2, Conroe native Jeromy Burnitz led off the seventh with a home run, allowing Maddux to get the win as the Cubs won, 3–2. The 306th win of Maddux' career, Clemens entered the game with 329. The Clemens–Maddux duel was the first time in the major leagues that two pitchers who had already attained 300 or more career wins faced each other since Don Sutton of the California Angels and Steve Carlton of the Minnesota Twins on August 4, 1987. It was the first such matchup in the National League (NL) since July 21, 1892, when Tim Keefe of the Philadelphia Phillies pitched against Jim "Pud" Galvin of the St. Louis Browns.

Having announced season-ending shoulder surgery, on May 15, Bagwell's club routed the San Francisco Giants, 9–0. Filling in for the injured star, Morgan Ensberg launched a career day, blasting three home runs with 5 RBI to lead the way for the Astros.

Retirement of Jim Wynn's uniform number 24

During a pre-game ceremony on June 25, the club officially retired uniform number 24, donned by former outfielder Jimmy Wynn. Dubbed "The Toy Cannon," the 5 ft Wynn embodied the Colt.45s/Astros' original slugger, slamming 291 home runs during his 15-year career, including 223 with Houston—a franchise record that remained until Bagwell surpassed him in 1999. A native of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, Wynn signed out of high school with the Reds in 1962. Later that year, Houston selected him in the first-year player draft.

An excellent blend of power, speed, and patience, some of Wynn's distinctions included becoming the first Astros player to connect for three home runs in one game (June 15, 1967), the first to hit 30 home runs in a season (August 23, 1967), their first 40-stolen base bandit (43 in 1965), and, in 1969, a then-NL record tying 148 bases on balls fortified with an on-base streak of 52 games which tied for sixth in NL history. Following the 1973 campaign, Wynn departed Houston ranked among club leaders in hits (1,291), home runs and runs batted in (719 RBI).

MLB All-Star Game

For the second consecutive year, four Astros were selected to the MLB All-Star Game, hosted at Comerica Park in Detroit. The Astros' corps included pitchers Roger Clemens, Brad Lidge, and Roy Oswalt, and third baseman Morgan Ensberg. This was the sixth time that the Astros had sent at least four players to Midsummer Classic, succeeding the 1979, 1986, 1994, 1999, and 2004 editions.

The American League defeated the NL squad, 7–5. All Astros selectees appeared in the contest. Owalt was charged win two runs in his inning, Clemens pitched a clean inning while Lidge struck out the side. Ensberg was substituted in at first base for Derrek Lee in the seventh inning.

September—October

On September 7, Craig Biggio hit his 20th home run of the season off former Astros closer Billy Wagner (4–3) in the top of the ninth inning, a three-run shot that decided an Astros 8–6 final, and sealed 6–0 sweep of the season series over the Philadelphia Phillies. In the ninth, the Astros' José Vizcaíno reached on a fielding error and Willy Taveras beat out an infield single to set up Biggio. Another former Astro Bobby Abreu hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning and a Shane Victorino RBI single temporarily gave the Phillies the lead against Dan Wheeler, but Chad Qualls (5–4) got the final two outs of the eighth before Brad Lidge locked down the bottom of the ninth for his 35th save. It was the Astros' 12th consecutive win over Philadelphia, allowing them to hold a one-game lead over the Florida Marlins in the NL Wild Card race.

Bagwell was activated on September 9 after having missed most of the season following shoulder surgery on June 7. Rendered unable to throw, he was limited to pinch hitting opportunities for the rest of the year. Were the Astros able to make the playoffs, he'd be placed on the roster.

Closer Brad Lidge converted his 25th consecutive save on September 28, breaking a club record. The streak had started June 21, surpassing former bullpen-mate Wagner (July 8–September 24, 2003). Lidge's feat remained the franchise longest until Roberto Osuna converted 25 consecutive from August 22, 2018, to May 24, 2019. It was Lidge's 40th save of the season. also joining Wagner in 2003 as the second pitcher to achieve 40 saves in one season for the Astros.

Lidge saved the final two games of the season, both against the Cubs on October 1 and 2, to conclude with 42.

After having starting the season with a 15–30 won–loss record, the Astros reversed the momentum to post a 74–43 record over their final 117 games and capture the NL Wild Card title.

Performance overview

With a regular-season conclusion that largely resembled 2004, Houston produced an 89–73 showing, while capturing their second-successive National League Wild Card title. First, Houston wound up second to another NL Central division champion St. Louis Cardinals powerhouse who had claimed upward of 100 wins, 11 games ahead of Houston. Moreover, the Astros finished just one game ahead in the Wild Card race, this time outlasting the Philadelphia Phillies. Hence, the club actualized the third era in franchise history featuring sequential playoff entrances, succeeding the 1980, 1981, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2004 squads.

For the eighth time in franchise history, Houston reached the 89-win threshold, while qualifying for their ninth playoff appearance, the second via the Wild Card position. Since the inception of the NL Central division in 1994, Houston had concluded the regular season in either first or second place eleven times in 12 seasons, excluding the 2000 campaign. Furthermore, during a span of 17 seasons commencing in 1992, the 2005 campaign signified the thirteenth of 15 having completed with a .500 winning percentage or above.

As such, manager Phil Garner joined Bill Virdon, Hal Lanier, and Larry Dierker as those who distinguished themselves by guiding Astros clubs to the playoffs.

Clemens won the NL earned run average title (1.87 ERA)—also leading the major leagues—to become the first Astro to lead the league since Danny Darwin in 1990 (2.21), the fifth Astro and sixth time overall in franchise history. Clemens was preceded by J. R. Richard (2.71 in 1979), Nolan Ryan (twice, 1.69 in 1981, and 2.76 in 1987), and Mike Scott (2.22 in 1986).

Meanwhile, Pettitte ranked second in the NL in ERA (2.39), which also ranked third in club history among left-handed pitchers, trailing only Bob Knepper (2.18 in 1981) and Mike Cuellar (2.22 in 1966).

Oswalt, having won 20 games, repeated this feat in consecutive seasons, the first Astro to do so since Joe Niekro in 1979 (21) and 1980 (20).

Third baseman Morgan Ensberg was honored with his first career Silver Slugger Award, also becoming the first player in club history to win the award at his position. Ensberg became the first Astro to win the award win since Bagwell and Mike Hampton in 1999.

Willy Taveras was selected as the Players Choice Award winner for NL Outstanding Rookie, the first Houston Asto selected for this award. He also won The Sporting News (TSN) NL Rookie of the Year to became the eighth Astro to win TSN Rookie of the Year Award, and first since Oswalt in 2001,

Standings

National League Central

Record vs. opponents

Lone Star series

Known as the Lone Star Series, the annual interleague games between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers were played in June and July.

Transactions

• April 9, 2005: Brooks Kieschnick was signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.
• April 27, 2005: Trenidad Hubbard was released by the Houston Astros.

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; SLG = Slugging average

Source:https://baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2005-batting.shtml

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

Source:https://baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2005-pitching.shtml

Game log

Regular season

|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1 || April 5 || Cardinals || 3–7 || Carpenter (1–0) || Oswalt (0–1) || Isringhausen (1) || Minute Maid Park || 43,567 || 0–1 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 2 || April 6 || Cardinals || 4–1 || Qualls (1–0) || Tavárez (0–1) || Lidge (1) || Minute Maid Park || 28,496 || 1–1 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 3 || April 8 || Reds || 3–2 || Clemens (1–0) || Belisle (0–1) || Lidge (2) || Minute Maid Park || 36,328 || 2–1 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 4 || April 9 || Reds || 4–3 || Lidge (1–0) || Wagner (0–1) || — || Minute Maid Park || 34,502 || 3–1 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 5 || April 10 || Reds || 5–2 || Oswalt (1–1) || Milton (1–1) || Lidge (3) || Minute Maid Park || 31,832 || 4–1 || W4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 6 || April 11 || @ Mets || 4–8 || Hernández (1–0) || Springer (0–1) || — || Shea Stadium || 53,663 || 4–2 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 7 || April 13 || @ Mets || 0–1 (11) || DeJean (1–0) || Wheeler (0–1) || — || Shea Stadium || 22,431 || 4–3 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 8 || April 14 || @ Mets || 3–4 || Matthews (1–0) || Franco (0–1) || Looper (1) || Shea Stadium || 17,214 || 4–4 || L3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 9 || April 15 || @ Reds || 11–2 || Oswalt (2–1) || Wilson (0–1) || — || Great American Ball Park || 31,740 || 5–4 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 10 || April 16 || @ Reds || 2–3 || Milton (2–1) || Pettitte (0–1) || Graves (3) || Great American Ball Park || 26,926 || 5–5 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 11 || April 17 || @ Reds || 5–6 || Wagner (1–1) || Qualls (1–1) || Graves (4) || Great American Ball Park || 25,762 || 5–6 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 12 || April 18 || Braves || 0–1 (12) || Sosa (1–0) || Wheeler (0–2) || Kolb (4) || Minute Maid Park || 31,672 || 5–7 || L3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 13 || April 19 || Braves || 5–3 || Backe (1–0) || Thomson (1–2) || Lidge (4) || Minute Maid Park || 32,146 || 6–7 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 14 || April 20 || Brewers || 6–1 || Oswalt (3–1) || Sheets (1–3) || — || Minute Maid Park || 26,119 || 7–7 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 15 || April 21 || Brewers || 8–7 || Pettitte (1–1) || Davis (2–2) || Lidge (5) || Minute Maid Park || 32,173 || 8–7 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 16 || April 22 || @ Cardinals || 7–8 || Marquis (3–0) || Duckworth (0–1) || Isringhausen (6) || Busch Memorial Stadium || 44,805 || 8–8 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 17 || April 23 || @ Cardinals || 0–1 (10) || Mulder (2–1) || Qualls (1–2) || — || Busch Memorial Stadium || 40,058 || 8–9 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 18 || April 24 || @ Cardinals || 5–8 || Morris (2–0 || Backe (1–1) || Isringhausen (7) || Busch Memorial Stadium || 39,020 || 8–10 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 19 || April 25 || @ Pirates || 0–2 || Pérez (1–2) || Oswalt (3–2) || Mesa (7) || PNC Park || 8,413 || 8–11 || L4 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || April 26 || @ Pirates || colspan=8| Postponed (rain); Rescheduled to July 19 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 20 || April 27 || @ Pirates || 0–2 || Wells (2–3) || Pettitte (1–2) || Mesa (8) || PNC Park || 13,426 || 8–12 || L5 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 21 || April 29 || Cubs || 2–3 || Maddux (1–1) || Clemens (1–1) || Hawkins (4) || Minute Maid Park || 41,232 || 8–13 || L6 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 22 || April 30 || Cubs || 7–5 || Backe (2–1) || Bartosh (0–1) || — || Minute Maid Park || 41,615 || 9–13 || W1 |- |- style="background:#bfb;" | 23 || May 1 || Cubs || 9–3 || Oswalt (4–2) || Prior (3–1) || — || Minute Maid Park || 38,014 || 10–13 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 24 || May 2 || Pirates || 11–4 || Pettitte (2–2) || Fogg (1–2) || — || Minute Maid Park || 23,882 || 11–13 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 25 || May 3 || Pirates || 4–7 || White (1–2) || Qualls (1–3) || Mesa (9) || Minute Maid Park || 27,809 || 11–14 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 26 || May 4 || Pirates || 4–6 || Torres (2–1) || Lidge (1–1) || Mesa (10) || Minute Maid Park || 29,299 || 11–15 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 27 || May 5 || @ Braves || 3–9 || Thomson (3–2) || Backe (2–2) || — || Turner Field || 20,553 || 11–16 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 28 || May 6 || @ Braves || 4–9 || Smoltz (3–3) || Oswalt (4–3) || — || Turner Field || 26,987 || 11–17 || L4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 29 || May 7 || @ Braves || 1–4 || Ramírez (2–2) || Pettitte (2–3) || Kolb (9) || Turner Field || 36,452 || 11–18 || L5 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 30 || May 8 || @ Braves || 0–16 || Hampton (4–1) || Astacio (0–1) || — || Turner Field || 32,498 || 11–19 || L6 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 31 || May 9 || @ Marlins || 2–1 || Clemens (2–1) || Burnett (3–3) || Lidge (6) || Dolphin Stadium || 20,539 || 12–19 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 32 || May 10 || @ Marlins || 2–6 || Mecir (1–0) || Springer (0–2) || — || Dolphin Stadium || 11,687 || 12–20 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 33 || May 11 || @ Marlins || 1–2 || Willis (7–0) || Oswalt (4–4) || Jones (3) || Dolphin Stadium || 21,789 || 12–21 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 34 || May 12 || Giants || 3–6 || Hennessey (2–0) || Pettitte (2–4) || Walker (2) || Minute Maid Park || 29,126 || 12–22 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 35 || May 13 || Giants || 2–4 || Rueter (2–2) || Astacio (0–2) || Walker (3) || Minute Maid Park || 31,365 || 12–23 || L4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 36 || May 14 || Giants || 4–1 || Clemens (3–1) || Tomko (3–5) || Lidge (7) || Minute Maid Park || 41,323 || 13–23 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 37 || May 15 || Giants || 9–0 || Backe (3–2) || Fassero (0–1) || — || Minute Maid Park || 33,633 || 14–23 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 38 || May 17 || Diamondbacks || 3–0 || Oswalt (5–4) || Vázquez (4–3) || Lidge (8) || Minute Maid Park || 27,156 || 15–23 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 39 || May 18 || Diamondbacks || 6–7 || Ortiz (4–2) || Pettitte (2–5) || Bruney (3) || Minute Maid Park || 27,790 || 15–24 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 40 || May 19 || Diamondbacks || 1–6 || Halsey (3–2) || Clemens (3–2) || Valverde (1) || Minute Maid Park || 32,132 || 15–25 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 41 || May 20 || @ Rangers || 3–7 || Rogers (5–2) || Backe (3–3) || — || Ameriquest Field in Arlington || 38,109 || 15–26 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 42 || May 21 || @ Rangers || 3–18 || Young (4–2) || Astacio (0–3) || — || Ameriquest Field in Arlington || 35,781 || 15–27 || L4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 43 || May 22 || @ Rangers || 0–2 || Park (4–1) || Oswalt (5–5) || Cordero (14) || Ameriquest Field in Arlington || 40,583 || 15–28 || L5 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 44 || May 23 || @ Cubs || 1–4 || Rusch (3–1) || Rodríguez (0–1) || Dempster (3) || Wrigley Field || 38,232 || 15–29 || L6 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 45 || May 24 || @ Cubs || 2–4 || Wuertz (3–2) || Lidge (1–2) || Dempster (4) || Wrigley Field || 38,805 || 15–30 || L7 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 46 || May 25 || @ Cubs || 5–1 || Backe (4–3) || Maddux (2–3) || — || Wrigley Field || 38,118 || 16–30 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 47 || May 27 || @ Brewers || 0–3 || Davis (6–5) || Oswalt (5–6) || Turnbow (7) || Miller Park || 22,173 || 16–31 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 48 || May 28 || @ Brewers || 9–6 || Rodríguez (1–1) || Sheets (1–4) || Lidge (9) || Miller Park || 37,845 || 17–31 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 49 || May 29 || @ Brewers || 2–1 || Pettitte (3–5) || Capuano (4–4) || Lidge (10) || Miller Park || 34,402 || 18–31 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 50 || May 30 || Reds || 0–9 || Harang (4–2) || Clemens (3–3) || — || Minute Maid Park || 42,097 || 18–32 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 51 || May 31 || Reds || 4–3 || Backe (5–3) || Belisle (2–5) || Lidge (11) || Minute Maid Park || 28,535 || 19–32 || W1 |- |- style="background:#bfb;" | 52 || June 1 || Reds || 4–1 || Oswalt (6–6) || Ortiz (1–4) || Lidge (12) || Minute Maid Park || 31,571 || 20–32 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 53 || June 3 || Cardinals || 0–2 || Carpenter (8–3) || Pettitte (3–6) || Tavárez (3) || Minute Maid Park || 34,092 || 20–33 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 54 || June 4 || Cardinals || 9–11 || Marquis (7–3) || Rodríguez (1–2) || Isringhausen (17) || Minute Maid Park || 39,288 || 20–34 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 55 || June 5 || Cardinals || 6–4 || Clemens (4–3) || Mulder (7–3) || Lidge (13) || Minute Maid Park || 34,009 || 21–34 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 56 || June 7 || @ Mets || 1–3 || Martínez (7–1) || Oswalt (6–7) || — || Shea Stadium || 39,953 || 21–35 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 57 || June 8 || @ Mets || 4–1 || Backe (6–3) || Zambrano (3–6) || Lidge (14) || Shea Stadium || 23,635 || 22–35 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 58 || June 9 || @ Mets || 6–3 (11) || Springer (1–2) || Bell (0–3) || Lidge (15) || Shea Stadium || 30,737 || 23–35 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 59 || June 10 || Blue Jays || 4–2 || Rodríguez (2–2) || Lilly (3–7) || Lidge (16) || Minute Maid Park || 28,607 || 24–35 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 60 || June 11 || Blue Jays || 6–3 || Lidge (2–2) || Schoeneweis (2–2) || — || Minute Maid Park || 34,925 || 25–35 || W4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 61 || June 12 || Blue Jays || 3–0 || Oswalt (7–7) || Towers (5–5) || — || Minute Maid Park || 30,584 || 26–35 || W5 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 62 || June 13 || @ Orioles || 5–8 || Penn (1–0) || Backe (6–4) || Ryan (17) || Camden Yards || 23,297 || 26–36 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 63 || June 14 || @ Orioles || 1–6 || Chen (6–4) || Pettitte (3–7) || — || Camden Yards || 24,659 || 26–37 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 64 || June 15 || @ Orioles || 1–5 || López (6–4) || Rodríguez (2–3) || — || Camden Yards || 31,547 || 26–38 || L3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 65 || June 17 || @ Royals || 7–0 || Clemens (5–3) || Howell (1–1) || — || Kauffman Stadium || 27,385 || 27–38 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 66 || June 18 || @ Royals || 6–2 || Oswalt (8–7) || Carrasco (2–2) || — || Kauffman Stadium || 26,523 || 28–38 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 67 || June 19 || @ Royals || 1–7 || Hernández (5–7) || Backe (6–5) || — || Kauffman Stadium || 20,214 || 28–39 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 68 || June 20 || Rockies || 7–0 || Pettitte (4–7) || Kennedy (3–7) || — || Minute Maid Park || 28,237 || 29–39 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 69 || June 21 || Rockies || 6–5 || Qualls (2–3) || Wright (4–7 || Lidge (17) || Minute Maid Park || 28,788 || 30–39 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 70 || June 22 || Rockies || 6–2 || Clemens (6–3) || Jennings (4–8) || — || Minute Maid Park || 39,415 || 31–39 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 71 || June 24 || Rangers || 5–2 || Oswalt (9–7) || Rodríguez (2–1) || Lidge (18) || Minute Maid Park || 36,199 || 32–39 || W4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 72 || June 25 || Rangers || 5–6 || Young (7–4) || Backe (6–6) || Cordero (18) || Minute Maid Park || 41,868 || 32–40 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 73 || June 26 || Rangers || 3–2 (10) || Qualls (3–3) || Dominguez (0–2) || — || Minute Maid Park || 35,331 || 33–40 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 74 || June 27 || @ Rockies || 11–5 || Rodríguez (3–3) || Wright (4–8) || — || Coors Field || 21,877 || 34–40 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 75 || June 28 || @ Rockies || 5–6 || Cortés (1–0 || Springer (1–3) || Fuentes (9) || Coors Field || 28,726 || 34–41 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 76 || June 29 || @ Rockies || 7–1 || Oswalt (10–7) || Kim (2–7) || — || Coors Field || 23,494 || 35–41 || W1 |- style="background:#bbb;" | 77 || June 30 || @ Reds || 2–2 || — || — || — || Great American Ball Park || 19,903 || 35–41 || — |- |- style="background:#bfb;" | 78 || July 1 || @ Reds || 10–7 || Pettitte (5–7) || Hudson (1–3) || Wheeler (1) || Great American Ball Park || 24,923 || 36–41 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 79 || July 2 (1) || @ Reds || 4–3 || Rodríguez (4–3) || Harang (4–7) || Wheeler (2) || Great American Ball Park || see 2nd game || 37–41 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 80 || July 2 (2) || @ Reds || 6–11 || Ortiz (4–6) || Astacio (0–4) || — || Great American Ball Park || 28,236 || 37–42 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 81 || July 3 || @ Reds || 9–0 || Clemens (7–3) || Claussen (4–6) || — || Great American Ball Park || 27,506 || 38–42 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 82 || July 4 || Padres || 4–1 || Oswalt (11–7) || Lawrence (5–7) || — || Minute Maid Park || 40,550 || 39–42 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 83 || July 5 || Padres || 6–2 || Backe (7–6) || Reyes (3–2) || — || Minute Maid Park || 27,307 || 40–42 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 84 || July 6 || Padres || 5–4 || Pettitte (6–7) || Peavy (7–3) || Wheeler (3) || Minute Maid Park || 29,774 || 41–42 || W4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 85 || July 7 || Padres || 5–7 || Williams (5–5) || Rodríguez (4–4) || Hoffman (24) || Minute Maid Park || 28,810 || 41–43 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 86 || July 8 || Dodgers || 3–2 || Lidge (3–2) || Brazobán (2–3) || — || Minute Maid Park || 36,176 || 42–43 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 87 || July 9 || Dodgers || 4–2 || Oswalt (12–7) || Weaver (7–8) || Lidge (19) || Minute Maid Park || 37,196 || 43–43 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 88 || July 10 || Dodgers || 6–5 || Springer (2–3) || Sánchez (2–4) || Lidge (20) || Minute Maid Park || 39,177 || 44–43 || W3 |-style=background:#bbbfff |- style="background:#fbb;" | 89 || July 15 || @ Cardinals || 3–4 (13) || Thompson (1–0) || Harville (0–1) || — || Busch Memorial Stadium || 48,420 || 44–44 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 90 || July 16 || @ Cardinals || 2–4 || Marquis (9–6) || Oswalt (12–8) || Isringhausen (26) || Busch Memorial Stadium || 48,034 || 44–45 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 91 || July 17 || @ Cardinals || 0–3 || Carpenter (14–4) || Clemens (7–4) || — || Busch Memorial Stadium || 46,584 || 44–46 || L3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 92 || July 18 || @ Pirates || 11–1 || Backe (8–6) || Williams (7–7) || — || PNC Park || 17,590 || 45–46 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 93 || July 19 (1) || @ Pirates || 9–3 || Astacio (1–4) || Snell (0–1) || — || PNC Park || see 2nd game || 46–46 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 94 || July 19 (2) || @ Pirates || 6–4 || Rodríguez (5–4) || Redman (4–10) || Lidge (21) || PNC Park || 20,552 || 47–46 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 95 || July 20 || @ Pirates || 8–0 || Pettitte (7–7) || Fogg (4–6) || — || PNC Park || 19,769 || 48–46 || W4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 96 || July 21 || @ Nationals || 3–2 || Oswalt (13–8) || Loaiza (6–6) || Lidge (22) || Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium || 36,840 || 49–46 || W5 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 97 || July 22 || @ Nationals || 14–1 || Clemens (8–4) || Drese (7–9) || — || Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium || 38,019 || 50–46 || W6 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 98 || July 23 || @ Nationals || 2–4 || Armas Jr. (5–4) || Backe (8–7) || Cordero (34) || Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium || 42,680 || 50–47 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 99 || July 24 || @ Nationals || 4–1 (14) || Springer (3–3) || Carrasco (3–3) || Lidge (23) || Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium || 39,203 || 51–47 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 100 || July 25 || Phillies || 7–1 || Pettitte (8–7) || Lidle (8–9) || — || Minute Maid Park || 36,029 || 52–47 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 101 || July 26 || Phillies || 2–1 || Oswalt (14–8) || Madson (4–4) || — || Minute Maid Park || 33,867 || 53–47 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 102 || July 27 || Phillies || 3–2 || Clemens (9–4) || Padilla (5–9) || Lidge (24) || Minute Maid Park || 38,071 || 54–47 || W4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 103 || July 28 || Mets || 3–2 || Wheeler (1–2) || Hernández (1–0) || — || Minute Maid Park || 43,552 || 55–47 || W5 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 104 || July 29 || Mets || 5–2 || Rodríguez (6–4) || Benson (7–4) || Lidge (25) || Minute Maid Park || 42,659 || 56–47 || W6 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 105 || July 30 || Mets || 2–0 || Pettitte (9–7) || Glavine (7–9) || Lidge (26) || Minute Maid Park || 43,596 || 57–47 || W7 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 106 || July 31 || Mets || 4–9 || Heilman (4–3) || Wheeler (1–3) || — || Minute Maid Park || 43,028 || 57–48 || L1 |- |- style="background:#bfb;" | 107 || August 2 || @ Diamondbacks || 3–1 || Clemens (10–4) || Vargas (4–6) || Lidge (27) || Bank One Ballpark || 31,696 || 58–48 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 108 || August 3 || @ Diamondbacks || 7–0 || Astacio (2–4) || Vázquez (9–10) || — || Bank One Ballpark || 22,283 || 59–48 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 109 || August 4 || @ Diamondbacks || 3–7 || Halsey (8–7) || Rodríguez (6–5) || Valverde (3) || Bank One Ballpark || 23,217 || 59–49 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 110 || August 5 || @ Giants || 0–4 || Schmidt (8–6) || Pettitte (9–8) || — || SBC Park || 39,686 || 59–50 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 111 || August 6 || @ Giants || 2–5 || Lowry (7–11) || Oswalt (14–10) || — || SBC Park || 41,959 || 59–51 || L3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 112 || August 7 || @ Giants || 8–1 || Clemens (11–4) || Eyre (2–2) || — || SBC Park || 42,947 || 60–51 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 113 || August 9 || Nationals || 5–6 || Patterson (6–3) || Astacio (2–5) || Cordero (37) || Minute Maid Park || 34,255 || 60–52 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 114 || August 10 || Nationals || 7–6 || Rodríguez (7–5) || Hernández (13–5) || Lidge (28) || Minute Maid Park || 34,309 || 61–52 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 115 || August 11 || Nationals || 6–3 || Pettitte (10–8) || Drese (7–12) || — || Minute Maid Park || 35,036 || 62–52 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 116 || August 12 || Pirates || 6–5 || Wheeler (2–3) || White (3–5) || Lidge (29) || Minute Maid Park || 37,524 || 63–52 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 117 || August 13 || Pirates || 0–1 || Torres (3–4) || Lidge (3–3) || Mesa (27) || Minute Maid Park || 43,286 || 63–53 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 118 || August 14 || Pirates || 0–8 || Williams (10–8) || Astacio (2–6) || — || Minute Maid Park || 36,872 || 63–54 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 119 || August 15 || Cubs || 12–4 || Rodríguez (8–5) || Rusch (5–5) || — || Minute Maid Park || 26,992 || 64–54 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 120 || August 16 || Cubs || 1–4 || Maddux (10–9) || Pettitte (10–9) || Dempster (17) || Minute Maid Park || 31,963 || 64–55 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 121 || August 17 || Cubs || 2–4 || Zambrano (10–5) || Oswalt (14–10) || Dempster (18) || Minute Maid Park || 29,978 || 64–56 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 122 || August 18 || Brewers || 2–5 || Ohka (8–7) || Clemens (11–5) || Turnbow (27) || Minute Maid Park || 29,844 || 64–57 || L3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 123 || August 19 || Brewers || 5–3 || Springer (4–3) || Davis (9–9) || Lidge (30) || Minute Maid Park || 31,651 || 65–57 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 124 || August 20 || Brewers || 2–3 || Sheets (9–9) || Harville (0–2) || — || Minute Maid Park || 41,101 || 65–58 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 125 || August 21 || Brewers || 8–3 || Pettitte (11–9) || Santos (4–12) || — || Minute Maid Park || 35,712 || 66–58 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 126 || August 22 || @ Padres || 6–2 || Oswalt (15–10 || Williams (6–10) || — || Petco Park || 33,991 || 67–58 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 127 || August 23 || @ Padres || 0–2 || Peavy (11–6) || Clemens (11–6) || — || Petco Park || 37,985 || 67–59 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 128 || August 24 || @ Padres || 4–7 || Park (11–6) || Rodríguez (8–6) || Hoffman (32) || Petco Park || 30,928 || 67–60 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 129 || August 26 || @ Dodgers || 2–1 || Pettitte (12–9) || Lowe (8–13) || Lidge (31) || Dodger Stadium || 41,638 || 68–60 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 130 || August 27 || @ Dodgers || 3–8 || Jackson (1–1) || Oswalt (15–11) || — || Dodger Stadium || 51,738 || 68–61 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 131 || August 28 || @ Dodgers || 0–1 || Weaver (13–8) || Qualls (3–4) || Sánchez (4) || Dodger Stadium || 47,541 || 68–62 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 132 || August 30 || Reds || 5–2 || Rodríguez (9–6) || Ortiz (8–10) || — || Minute Maid Park || 29,971 || 69–62 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 133 || August 31 || Reds || 10–0 || Pettitte (13–9) || Claussen (9–9) || — || Minute Maid Park || 28,639 || 70–62 || W2 |- |- style="background:#bfb;" | 134 || September 1 || Reds || 3–1 || Oswalt (16–11) || Harang (9–12) || Lidge (32) || Minute Maid Park || 27,490 || 71–62 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 135 || September 2 || Cardinals || 6–5 (13) || Qualls (4–4) || Tavárez (2–3) || — || Minute Maid Park || 38,511 || 72–62 || W4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 136 || September 3 || Cardinals || 2–4 || Carpenter (20–4) || Springer (4–4) || — || Minute Maid Park || 42,817 || 72–63 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 137 || September 4 || Cardinals || 1–4 || Marquis (11–13) || Rodríguez (9–7) || — || Minute Maid Park || 38,277 || 72–64 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 138 || September 5 || @ Phillies || 4–3 || Pettitte (14–9) || Myers (12–7) || Lidge (33) || Citizens Bank Park || 36,144 || 73–64 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 139 || September 6 || @ Phillies || 2–1 || Oswalt (17–11) || Wagner (4–2) || Lidge (34) || Citizens Bank Park || 30,600 || 74–64 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 140 || September 7 || @ Phillies || 8–6 || Qualls (5–4) || Wagner (4–3) || Lidge (35) || Citizens Bank Park || 29,026 || 75–64 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 141 || September 9 || @ Brewers || 4–7 || Davis (10–10) || Clemens (11–7) || Turnbow (30) || Miller Park || 18,130 || 75–65 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 142 || September 10 || @ Brewers || 7–5 || Pettitte (15–9) || Ohka (10–8) || Lidge (36) || Miller Park || 24,437 || 76–65 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 143 || September 11 || @ Brewers || 2–4 || Helling (2–0) || Oswalt (17–12) || Turnbow (31) || Miller Park || 17,392 || 76–66 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 144 || September 12 || Marlins || 2–8 || Willis (21–8) || Backe (8–8) || — || Minute Maid Park || 27,538 || 76–67 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 145 || September 13 || Marlins || 2–4 || Beckett (14–8) || Rodríguez (9–8) || Jones (37) || Minute Maid Park || 31,512 || 76–68 || L3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 146 || September 14 || Marlins || 10–2 || Clemens (12–7) || Burnett (12–11) || — || Minute Maid Park || 30,911 || 77–68 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 147 || September 15 || Marlins || 4–1 || Pettitte (16–9) || Vargas (5–4) || Lidge (37) || Minute Maid Park || 35,960 || 78–68 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 148 || September 16 || Brewers || 2–1 || Lidge (4–3) || Eveland (1–1) || — || Minute Maid Park || 33,767 || 79–68 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 149 || September 17 || Brewers || 7–0 || Backe (9–8) || Obermueller (1–4) || — || Minute Maid Park || 37,756 || 80–68 || W4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 150 || September 18 || Brewers || 6–1 || Rodríguez (10–8) || Capuano (17–10) || — || Minute Maid Park || 35,052 || 81–68 || W5 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 151 || September 19 || @ Pirates || 0–7 || Snell (1–2) || Clemens (12–8) || — || PNC Park || 13,865 || 81–69 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 152 || September 20 || @ Pirates || 7–4 || Pettitte (17–9) || Gorzelanny (0–1) || — || PNC Park || 12,927 || 82–69 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 153 || September 21 || @ Pirates || 12–8 || Oswalt (18–12) || Wells (7–17) || — || PNC Park || 16,266 || 83–69 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 154 || September 22 || @ Pirates || 2–1 || Backe (10–8) || Duke (6–2) || Lidge (38) || PNC Park || 12,587 || 84–69 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 155 || September 23 || @ Cubs || 4–5 || Rusch (8–8) || Rodríguez (10–9) || Dempster (30) || Wrigley Field || 38,622 || 84–70 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 156 || September 24 || @ Cubs || 8–3 || Astacio (3–6) || Zambrano (14–6) || — || Wrigley Field || 39,263 || 85–70 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 157 || September 25 || @ Cubs || 2–3 || Williams (6–9) || Gallo (0–1) || Dempster (31) || Wrigley Field || 38,121 || 85–71 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 158 || September 27 || @ Cardinals || 3–1 || Oswalt (19–12) || Morris (14–10) || Lidge (39) || Busch Memorial Stadium || 40,260 || 86–71 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 159 || September 28 || @ Cardinals || 7–6 || Qualls (6–4) || Isringhausen (1–2) || Lidge (40) || Busch Memorial Stadium || 40,616 || 87–71 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 160 || September 29 || Cubs || 2–3 || Rusch (9–8) || Rodríguez (10–10) || Dempster (32) || Minute Maid Park || 37,820 || 87–72 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 161 || September 30 || Cubs || 3–4 || Novoa (4–5) || Lidge (4–4) || Dempster (33) || Minute Maid Park || 41,304 || 87–73 || L2 |- |- style="background:#bfb;" | 162 || October 1 || Cubs || 3–1 || Clemens (13–8) || Williams (6–10) || Lidge (41) || Minute Maid Park || 42,021 || 88–73 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 163 || October 2 || Cubs || 6–4 || Oswalt (20–12) || Maddux (13–15) || Lidge (42) || Minute Maid Park || 42,288 || 89–73 || W2 |-

Postseason log

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 1 || October 5 || @ Braves || 10–5 || Pettitte (1–0) || Hudson (0–1) || — || Turner Field || 40,590 || 1–0 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 2 || October 6 || @ Braves || 1–7 || Smoltz (1–0) || Clemens (0–1) || — || Turner Field || 46,181 || 1–1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 3 || October 8 || Braves || 7–3 || Oswalt (1–0) || Sosa (0–1) || — || Minute Maid Park || 43,759 || 2–1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 4 || October 9 || Braves || 7–6 (18) || Clemens (1–1) || Devine (0–1) || — || Minute Maid Park || 43,413 || 3–1 |- |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 1 || October 12 || @ Cardinals || 3–5 || Carpenter (2–0) || Pettitte (1–1) || Isringhausen (2) || Busch Memorial Stadium || 52,332 || 0–1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 2 || October 13 || @ Cardinals || 4–1 || Oswalt (2–0) || Mulder (1–1) || Lidge (1) || Busch Memorial Stadium || 52,358 || 1–1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 3 || October 15 || Cardinals || 4–3 || Clemens (2–1) || Morris (1–1) || Lidge (2) || Minute Maid Park || 42,823 || 2–1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 4 || October 16 || Cardinals || 2–1 || Qualls (1–0) || Marquis (0–1) || Lidge (3) || Minute Maid Park || 43,010 || 3–1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 5 || October 17 || Cardinals || 4–5 || Isringhausen (1–0) || Lidge (0–1) || — || Minute Maid Park || 43,470 || 3–2 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 6 || October 19 || @ Cardinals || 7–1 || Oswalt (3–0) || Mulder (1–2) || — || Busch Memorial Stadium || 52,438 || 4–2 |- |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb" | 1 || October 22 || @ White Sox || 3–5 || Contreras (3–1) || Rodríguez (0–1) || Jenks (3) || U. S. Cellular Field || 41,206 || 0–1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb" | 2 || October 23 || @ White Sox || 6–7 || Cotts (1–0) || Lidge (0–2) || — || U. S. Cellular Field || 41,432 || 0–2 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb" | 3 || October 25 || White Sox || 5–7 (14) || Marte (1–0) || Astacio (0–1) || Buehrle (1) || Minute Maid Park || 42,848 || 0–3 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb" | 4 || October 26 || White Sox || 0–1 || Garcia (1–0) || Lidge (0–3) || Jenks (4) || Minute Maid Park || 42,936 || 0–4 |-

Postseason

National League Divisional Playoffs

The Astros faced a rematch in the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series. This was the fifth time the two teams had met in the postseason (1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005), and the Astros were looking to add on reaching the second round of the postseason in back-to-back years; the two teams had met for six games in the regular season, for which Houston won only once.

In Game 1 in Atlanta, the Astros struck first on a Morgan Ensberg RBI single, but Chipper Jones tied the game as the first inning ended. Ensberg gave the Astros the lead again on a bases-loaded single made it 3–1. Craig Biggio hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Brad Ausmus to make it 4–1 in the fourth, but Andruw Jones cut into the lead with a two-run shot to make it 4–3. Enberg struck again in the seventh with a RBI hit to drive in Andy Pettitte after he had hit a double. The Astros finally broke the game all the way through in the eighth, scoring five runs on the bases of four hits, three walks, and a wild pitch. The Astros prevailed in Game 1 by a score of 10–5.

Despite having Roger Clemens on the mound for Game 2, he was outmatched by John Smoltz, who allowed just one run while the Braves used the efforts of rookie Brian McCann (who hit a three-run shot in the second) to win 7–1.

Back in Houston for Game 3, the Astros struck first again by the efforts of Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane, who made it 2-0 after one inning. McCann and pitcher Jorge Sosa tied the game on hits with two out in the next inning, but Mike Lamb would hit a home run in the third inning to make it 3–2. In the seventh, the Astros took advantage of Chris Reitsma (and others) on the mound, scoring four runs in the inning after hits by Lance Berkman, Ensberg and Lane went with a sacrifice fly by Adam Everett; the Astros prevailed 7–3.

Game 4 proved to be a classic for the ages despite its initial misgivings for Houston, featuring a grand slam that began a rally, a ninth-inning game-tying blast, and finally, an extra-innings, series-ending, walk-off drive. Adam LaRoche hit a grand slam off Brandon Backe to make it 4–0 in the third inning. The Braves added another run in the fifth that was matched by Houston, but the Braves scored in the top of the eighth inning with a McCann home run off Wandy Rodríguez to make it 6–1. However, the Astros struck back, punctuated by first-time home run achievements in the playoffs for the club. First, in the bottom of the eighth, Lance Berkman answered LaRoche's grand slam with his own blast off Kyle Farnsworth to shrink Atlanta's lead to 6–5. Berkman's grand slam represented the first-ever in the postseason by a Houston Astro. One inning later, with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Brad Ausmus stepped up to the plate against Farnsworth and proceeded to hit a home run, tying the game at six to send it to extra innings. The two teams traded zeroes for the next eight innings while setting a record for the longest postseason game in MLB history; Roger Clemens pitched three innings of relief. In the bottom of the 18th, with Joey Devine on the mound for Atlanta, Chris Burke lined a shot to left field that cleared the scoreboard for the series-ending, walk-off home run. Burke's drive was Houston's first-ever playoff series-ending home run, and just their second-ever walk-off home run in the playoffs. In Game 1 of the 1981 NLDS, Alan Ashby ended the contest from a Dave Stewart offering for a 3–1 decision over Los Angeles.

This was also the second postseason series victory for the Astros, sequentially—with both having occurred against Atlanta—sending them back to the National League Championship Series.

National League Championship Series

Main article: 2005 National League Championship Series

The opponent for the Astros in the Championship Series was a familiar foe: the St. Louis Cardinals, their rival in the National League Central. They had previously matched up against each other in the previous NLCS, which saw the Astros lose in seven games, needing only one more win to reach the Series. The Cardinals had won 100 games and had beaten Houston in eleven of sixteen games this season (worst among their division foes) Game 1 was controlled by St. Louis from the jump. Reggie Sanders hit a two-out homerun with David Eckstein on base to make it 2–0. A sacrifice bunt by the pitcher drove in a third run in the second inning. Eckstein drove a run in with a single while Albert Pujols capped the scoring for the Cardinals with a single. The only scoring for Houston came late, as Chris Burke hit a two-run shot off the bullpen to make it 5–2 in the seventh before Brad Ausmus hit a sacrifice fly to make it 5–3, but reliever Jason Isringhausen finished the Astros off with no further damage. This was the fifth straight loss for the Astros in a postseason game played in St. Louis. Game 2 proved a different story. Burke lined a tripe with one out and then scored later when Cardinals pitcher Mark Mulder threw a ball past the catcher. Brad Ausmus lined a double in the fifth inning and then was driven home on a bunt and ground out to make it 2–0. Albert Pujols lined a home run to start the sixth inning, but the Cardinals were out-hit 11-6 and scored no more; Burke and Adam Everett would lend a hand with RBI hits to even the series at one.

In Game 3 back in Houston, Mike Lamb hit a two-run shot off Matt Morris to give them a 2–0 lead in the fourth inning. Roger Clemens would allow back-to-back hits in the fifth and sixth inning that saw the Cardinals score a run each to tie the game. However, in the sixth inning, Lamb hit a double that set him up to score when Jason Lane hit a single. A further single lead to Adam Everett at the plate, who hit into a fielder's choice that made it 4–2. While the Cardinals scored a run in the ninth inning on an RBI double, they could not crack Brad Lidge (who until this game had allowed no runs against St. Louis since May 2003) as Houston now led the Series. Game 4 was a tight affair that saw the bullpens flicker more than the offense, which saw eleven combined hits lead to three runs. Pujols gave the Cardinals the lead on a sacrifice fly in the 4th, but Jason Lane hit a home run off Jeff Suppan to tie it. In the seventh inning, the Astros had the bases loaded with less than two outs. With Morgan Ensberg at the plate, he hit a flyout that gave enough room to score a run from the third base. The Cardinals had a prime chance in the ninth inning when Lidge allowed back-to-back singles, but this would be followed by a groundball that led to a play at the plate that saw Pujols out at home for one out. John Mabry then grounded into a double play to give Houston a 3–1 lead. In Game 5, the Astros were one away from history. Craig Biggio started the scoring with an RBI single in the second, but St. Louis responded by hitting a single with the bases loaded to drive in two runs. In the seventh inning, with two on base and starter Chris Carpenter trying to go through the inning clean, Lance Berkman hit a home run to give the Astros a 4–2 lead. It set the stage for a pivotal ninth inning with Lidge set to close the inning. He got two easy outs before Eckstein lined a single with two strikes; this was followed by Jim Edmonds drawing a walk. Lidge now faced Albert Pujols at the plate; he hit a shot to left field that would give St. Louis a 5–4 lead that proved the difference in making the series now 3–2 in favor of Houston. Game 6, played at Busch Stadium, was a rematch between Game 2 starters Roy Oswalt and Mark Mulder. Houston set up the scoring with getting runners on second and third base in the third inning before Mulder threw a wild pitch that scored a run; Biggio then hit a single to drive in the other runner to make it 2–0. Jason Lane hit his second home run of the series in the fourth inning to make it 3–0. Roy Oswalt would dominate the Cardinals for seven innings, allowing only a run on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning as the bullpen took control from there while adding two insurance runs in the sixth and seventh. With Dan Wheeler on the mound, Yadier Molina hit a flyball to right field that was caught by Jason Lane for the final out, clinching the first ever pennant for the Astros in history. Oswalt, who went 2–0 with a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings, was named NLCS MVP, the second time an Astro had won the award and first since Mike Scott in 1986.

World Series

Main article: 2005 World Series

After having played 4,714 games and their entire major league careers together in Houston, Bagwell and Biggio appeared in their first World Series in 2005.

Game 1

October 22, 2005 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago

Playing in their first World Series home game since 1959, the White Sox took an early lead with a home run from Jermaine Dye in the first inning. The Sox scored two more in the second when Juan Uribe doubled in A. J. Pierzynski after Carl Everett had already scored on a groundout earlier in the inning. The Astros responded again in the next inning when Lance Berkman hit a double, driving in Adam Everett and Craig Biggio. In the White Sox half of the fourth, Joe Crede hit what turned out to be the game-winning home run. In the bottom of the eighth, Scott Podsednik hit a triple with Pierzynski on second. Roger Clemens recorded his shortest World Series start, leaving after the second inning with 53 pitches including 35 for strikes, due to a sore hamstring that he had previously injured (and caused him to miss his last regular season start) as the loss went to Wandy Rodríguez. José Contreras pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits for the win, and Bobby Jenks earned the save to give the White Sox a 1–0 lead in the series. When Neal Cotts entered the game in the top of the 8th it marked the first time in 5 games that the White Sox had gone to their bullpen.

Game 2

October 23, 2005 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago

On a miserably cold (51 degrees) and rainy evening, Morgan Ensberg's first-pitch home run off starter Mark Buehrle put the Astros on top in the second inning. The White Sox answered in the bottom of the second with two runs of their own off Andy Pettitte. Lance Berkman drove in three runs in the game, two of them on a go-ahead double in the top of the fifth. In the seventh inning, Dan Wheeler loaded the bases with a double to Juan Uribe, a walk to Tadahito Iguchi, and home plate umpire Jeff Nelson's ruling that Jermaine Dye was hit by a pitched ball. The ruling was considered questionable, as television replays showed that the ball hit Dye's bat (which would have made the pitch a foul ball rather than a HBP). The Astros brought in Chad Qualls, who promptly served up a grand slam to Paul Konerko on the very first pitch he threw, the eighteenth grand slam in the annals of the Fall Classic. In the top of the ninth, White Sox closer Bobby Jenks blew the save when he gave up a two-run game-tying pinch hit single to José Vizcaíno. In the bottom half of the ninth, Astros closer Brad Lidge gave up a one-out, walk-off home run — the fourteenth in Series history — to Scott Podsednik, giving Lidge his second loss in as many post-season appearances (his previous appearance was in Game 5 of 2005 National League Championship Series). Podsednik had not hit a single homer in the regular season, and this was his second of the postseason. The Series moved to Houston with the White Sox leading 2–0.

Game 3

October 25, 2005 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas

Game 3 was the first ever World Series game played in the state of Texas. Before the game, it was ruled by Commissioner Bud Selig that the retractable roof would be open at Minute Maid Park, weather permitting. The Astros objected, citing that their record in games with the roof closed was better than with the retractable roof open. Selig's office claimed that the ruling was based on the rules established by Houston and were consistent with how the Astros organization treated the situation all year long, as well as the weather forecasts for that period of time.

In the game – the longest World Series game in length of time (five hours and forty-one minutes) and tied for the longest in number of innings (fourteen, tied with Game 2 of the 1916 World Series) – Lance Berkman singled with one out after a Craig Biggio lead-off double in the bottom of the first as the Astros struck early. The White Sox had a rally snuffed in the top of the second inning; after Paul Konerko hit a lead-off double and A. J. Pierzynski walked, Aaron Rowand hit into a line-drive double play. Adam Everett caught the ball and then doubled Konerko off second by flipping the ball to Biggio, who stepped on the bag. Houston scored in the bottom of the third when Everett led off with a walk. Everett got caught in a rundown and got hit by the ball on a Juan Uribe throwing error that hit Everett. A Roy Oswalt sacrifice bunt and a Biggio single sent Everett home. Berkman singled again with two out, sending Biggio to third. Then Morgan Ensberg singled Biggio home for the third run of the game. Jason Lane led off the Astros' fourth with a home run to left-center field. It was later shown in replays that the ball should not have been ruled a home run, hitting the left side of the yellow line on the unusual wall in left-center field.

The White Sox rallied in the top of the fifth, true to their "Win Or Die Trying" mantra of 2005, starting with a Joe Crede lead-off homer. Uribe, on first after hitting a single, scored on a Tadahito Iguchi base hit with one out, followed by Scott Podsednik coming home on a duck-snort single by Jermaine Dye. Pierzynski hit a two-out double to Tal's Hill, driving in two runs, scoring Iguchi and Dye giving the White Sox the lead. The Astros rallied in the last of the eighth with two outs when Lane's double scored Ensberg with the tying run after back-to-back walks by Ensberg and Mike Lamb, giving Dustin Hermanson a blown save. Houston tried to rally to win in the ninth, but stranded Chris Burke at third, after he had walked, reached second on an error and stolen third.

The Astros tried again in the tenth as well as in the eleventh, but failed each time. In the top of the fourteenth, after the Sox hit into a spectacular double play started by Ensberg, Geoff Blum (a former Astro) homered to right with two outs off Ezequiel Astacio. After two infield singles by Rowand and Crede that went a total of 150 feet according to McCarver, Uribe walked, and then Chris Widger walked thanks to Astacio's sudden wildness. The Astros tried to rally with the tying runs on first and third and two outs after a Uribe error, but Game 2 starter Mark Buehrle earned the save for winning pitcher Dámaso Marte when Everett popped out, bringing the White Sox one game closer to their first World Championship in eighty-eight years. Buehrle became the first pitcher ever to start a game in the Series, and save the next one.

Many records were set or tied in the game besides time and innings: The teams combined to use seventeen pitchers (nine for the White Sox, eight for the Astros), throwing a total of 482 pitches, and walking twenty-one batters combined (a dozen by Chicago, nine by Houston); forty-three players were used (the White Sox used twenty-two and the Astros used twenty-one), and thirty men were left on base (fifteen for each team), all new high-water marks in their categories in Fall Classic history. Scott Podsednik set a new all-time record with eight official-at-bats in this game. One record that was tied was most double plays turned, with six (four by the Astros, two by the White Sox).

Game 4

October 26, 2005 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas

Before the game, Major League Baseball unveiled its Latino Legends Team.

The fourth game was the pitchers' duel that had been promised throughout the series. Both Houston starter Brandon Backe and Chicago starter Freddy García put zeros on the scoreboard through seven innings, the longest since Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Scott Podsednik had a two-out triple in the top of the third, but Tadahito Iguchi grounded out to second, thus snuffing that threat. The Astros had the best chance of scoring in the sixth, but Jason Lane struck out with the bases loaded to end that rally. The White Sox had a chance in the top of the seventh with runners at second and third and two out, but shortstop Juan Uribe struck out to snuff the rally. The White Sox were able to break through in the next inning against embattled Houston closer Brad Lidge. Willie Harris hit a pinch-hit single. Podsednik moved Harris to second with a sacrifice bunt. Carl Everett pinch-hit for Iguchi and grounded out to the right side to allow Harris to move over to third. Jermaine Dye, the Most Valuable Player of the series, had the game-winning single, driving in Harris.

Things got a little sticky for the Sox in the Astros half of the eighth when reliever Cliff Politte hit Willy Taveras, threw a wild pitch, sending Taveras to second, and walked Lance Berkman. After Morgan Ensberg flew out to center, ChiSox manager Ozzie Guillén brought in Neal Cotts to finish the inning. Cotts induced pinch-hitter José Vizcaíno into a ground out to Uribe. Bobby Jenks, the 24-year-old fireballer, started the ninth inning. He allowed a single to Jason Lane and a sacrifice bunt to Brad Ausmus. Chris Burke came in to pinch-hit; he fouled one off to the left side, but Uribe made an amazing catch in the stands to retire Burke.

The game ended when Orlando Palmeiro grounded to Uribe. It was a bang-bang play as Paul Konerko caught the ball from Uribe at 11:01 p.m. CDT to begin the biggest celebration in Chicago since the sixth NBA championship by the Bulls in 1998, and end the second-longest period without a World Series title (the cross-town Chicago Cubs owned the longest such streak at the time, as they had not won since 1908, until winning in 2016). The 1–0 shutout was the first 1-run game to end a World Series since the 1995 World Series, in which Game 6 was won by the Atlanta Braves over the Cleveland Indians, and the first 1–0 game in any Series game since Game 5 of the 1996 World Series when the New York Yankees shut out the Braves in the last game ever played at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium.

Composite box

2005 World Series (4-0): Chicago White Sox (A.L.) over Houston Astros (N.L.)

Awards and achievements

Grand slams

Career honors

• Houston Astros uniform numbers retired:
  • Jimmy Wynn, outfielder: No. 24 • In Houston 1963–1973 • 1,426 games • 1× MLB All-Star
• Texas Sports Hall of Fame inductees:
  • Jeff Bagwell
  • Craig Biggio

Annual awards

• Baseball Digest Rookie All-Star—Outfielder: Willy Taveras
• Darryl Kile Good Guy Award: Morgan Ensberg
• Delivery Man of the Month—July: Brad Lidge
• Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball: Gene Coleman
• Houston-Area Major League Player of the Year: Adam Dunn (CIN)
• Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award: Morgan Ensberg
• Houston Astros Pitcher of the Year: Roger Clemens
• Houston Astros Rookie of the Year: Willy Taveras
• Hutch Award: Craig Biggio
• MLB All-Star Game
  • Roger Clemens—Reserve pitcher
  • Morgan Ensberg—Reserve infielder
  • Brad Lidge—Reserve pitcher
  • Roy Oswalt—Reserve pitcher
• National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player (NLCS MVP): Roy Oswalt
• National League (NL) Pitcher of the Month
  • July: Andy Pettitte
  • September: Andy Pettitte
• NL Player of the Week:—July 3: Morgan Ensberg
• Players Choice Award winner for NL Outstanding Rookie: Willy Taveras
• Silver Slugger Award at third base: Morgan Ensberg
• The Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year: Willy Taveras
• Topps All-Star Rookie Team—Outfielder: Willy Taveras

League leaders

;NL batting leaders

• Singles: Willy Taveras (152)

;NL pitching leaders:

• Earned run average (ERA): Roger Clemens (1.87—led MLB)
• Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP): Roger Clemens (2.87)
• Games started: Roy Oswalt (35—tied, led MLB)
• Hits per nine innings pitched (H/9): Roger Clemens (6.4—led MLB)

Minor league system

;Awards

• Texas League Pitcher of the Year: Jason Hirsh, RHP
• Texas League All-Star: Jason Hirsh, RHP

Notes

References

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