In Game 2 of a double-header against the Atlanta Braves, the Houston Astros set a franchise record for the most hits in a game with 25, beating the Braves 16-5 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Eight different Astros had multi-hit games, including right fielder Wilbur Howard, second baseman Rob Andrews, center fielder Cesar Cedeno, first baseman Bob Watson, left fielder Leon Roberts, catcher Cliff Johnson, third baseman Enos Cabell and shortstop Jerry DaVanon.
Johnson led the team with four hits, going 4 for 6 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. DaVanon was the big producer, going 3 for 5 with a triple, 5 RBIs and a run scored. His triple came with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, scoring Roberts, Cabell and pinch hitter Skip Jutze.
Surprisingly, of those 25 hits, only two were for extra bases. The Astros also only had one sacrifice fly and one sacrifice hit, so most of their damage came on good, old fashioned singles. With that much base traffic, they also didn't need to steal any bases, going 13 for 24 with runners in scoring position.
Both teams must've been worn out by the first game of the double dip, since the Braves managed 14 hits themselves, but only scored five runs. First baseman Darrell Evans led the way for them, going 3 for 4 with two RBIs.
Because it was the second game in a double-header, neither team used a starting pitcher per se. The Braves started Roger Moret, who was their long man in the bullpen, starting 12 of the 27 games he appeared in that season. He didn't even make it out of the first inning, though, before giving way to a succession of four more relievers who finished the game.
Houston only needed two pitchers in starter Gil Rondon, who won the first of his two career victories in this one. Rondon only started seven games in his career and only appeared in 19 games with the Astros. Gene Pentz got the save for Houston, pitching the final four innings and allowing three runs and seven hits. Pentz had his most successful season in 1976, going 3-3 with five saves, pitching 63 2/3 innings with a 2.97 ERA.
Here is the graphic replay of the game, thanks to Back to Baseball.