This Day In Astros History: April 4, 1994

In our second installment, we venture back to Opening Day '94, long before the labor strife would end the season. On this day, the Astros bested the Montreal Expos 6-5 under the helm of manager Terry Collins. 

The game went into extra innings, with neither team scoring after the fifth inning, but both the Expos and the Astros scored in the 13th. Montreal took a 5-3 lead when Mitch Williams walked in Wil Cordero and Jeff Gardner on consecutive bases-loaded walks to Randy Milligan and Marquis Grissom. Tom Edens relieved Wild Thang, striking out Rondell White to end the frame.

Houston responded in the bottom of the 13th, as Jeff Bagwell hit an RBI single off Jeff Shaw to score James Mouton. Ken Caminiti followed up with a two-run double off Denis Boucher that scored Bagwell and Steve Finley to win the game. Edens picked up one of four victories that season for Houston before he was traded to Philadelphia on July 31 for Milt Thompson.

Mouton and Bagwell each had three hits in the game. Mouton doubled twice while Bagwell hit the first home run of his MVP campaign. Finley, Craig Biggio and Andujar Cedeno each had two hits while Andy Stankiewicz and Mouton each had a stolen base.

Pete Harnisch started for Houston opposite Jeff Fassero. Harnish threw seven innings, giving up three hits, three runs and a walk while striking out three. Fassero lasted six innings, giving up six hits, three runs (two earned) and one walk while striking out five. The unearned run came in the fourth on a throwing error by Wil Cordero.

Interestingly enough, one of the three hits Harnisch gave up was a two-run homer to future Astros third baseman and hitting coach Sean Berry. It was the second Opening Day start for Harnsich. The right-hander started the '92 opener, but was bumped for Doug Drabek in '93. Also interesting? Two future stud starting pitchers followed Harnisch in relief in this game. Shane Reynolds threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out two before giving way to lefty Mike Hampton in the top of the ninth. Hampy struck out the only batter he faced (Larry Walker).