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Jerry Ruess pitched only two years with the Astros, but holds quite possibly the most unbreakable record in franchise history. Coinciding with game 40 on the season, Ruess in 1973 made 40 starts for the Astros. Something that was common place several decades now might be almost impossible to replicate.
In the two years Ruess pitched with the Astros he posted a 3.91 ERA and a 90 ERA+ in 471.1 innings, which resulted in a 25-26 record. Over 22 years in the big leagues Ruess would produce a 100 ERA+, the very definition of an average big league pitcher.
He would have his most success in Los Angeles, but before he got there he would be drafted by the St. Louis Cardianls and then traded to the Houston Astros.
His 1973 season with the Astros wasn't anything spectacular, he led the league in games started, with 40, and base on balls, with 117. Well of course you'll lead the league in walks when you have 40 starts, 279.1 innings pitched and a 96 ERA+. Along with average I guess you could say Reuss was a work horse for the Astros that season. Reuss finished the season with a 16-13 record, a franchise games started record and then was shipped off to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Milt May.