This Day In Astros History: Aug. 16, 1998

On this day, 13 years ago, the Astros played their second-straight, 1-run game in 11 innings. Unfortunately, this time they lost 2-1 to the Cubs at the Astrodome. 

Kerry Wood faced off with Sean Bergman in this one. This was Wood's rookie season, when he won the Rookie of the Year award, striking out 233 in 166 2/3 innings. He K'd 11 Astros in this one, giving up three hits, one run and a walk in eight innings. Similarly, Bergman pitched eight innings, gave up four hits and one run while striking out nine. That lowered Bergman's ERA to 3.47 for the season. 

In the 11th, the Cubs pushed a run across with a bunch of singles. The run that scored belonged to Jay Powell, who got the loss, but it was Trever Miller who was the final pitcher for Houston and allowed the run to score. After Powell came out with two outs and Micky Morandini on third and Mark Grace on second, Miller intentionally walked Glenallen Hill. That set up Manny Alexander to drive in the the winning run with a ground ball in the hole on the right side.

Craig Biggio was one of the leading offensive players. He only went 1 for 5 in this one, but hit a double and stole two bases. Carl Everett scored Houston's only run, with Ricky Gutierrez driving him in during the bottom of the fifth. One of the big problems with Houston's offense was the middle of the order. The 3-4-5 hitters (Derek Bell, Jeff Bagwell and Moises Alou) were a combined 0-for-14 with five strikeouts.

Here's the graphic replay of the game, thanks to Back to Baseball.