Mobile Site You Are Here > Home > Box Scores > 1978 > Jun 17, 1978, Cubs at Astros Box Score and Play by Play

View a short video showing advanced box score features / click orange/red text for additional info

Scores
Standings
OAK
@BAL
4
5
SEA
@BOS
4
5
KCR
@CHW
1
6
MIL
@CLE
4
3
 
(12)
DET
@MIN
1
3
CAL
@NYY
0
4
TOR
@TEX
2
13
PIT
@ATL
5
3
STL
@CIN
5
6
CHC
@HOU
4
5
MON
@LAD
6
3
PHI
@SDP
0
7
NYM
@SFG
5
4
Saturday, June 17, 1978
, Astrodome
Attendance: 28,091, Time of Game: 2:20
Cubs
4
34-25
 Lost 1 
1st
at Astros
5
27-32
 Won 1 
4th, 11 GB
W: Joe Niekro (3-4)
                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Cubs            0  0  2   2  0  0   0  0  0    4  7  0
Astros          0  2  0   0  0  1   0  2  X    5  7  0

Chicago Cubs

Batting AB R H RBI BB SO BA OPS WPA aLI WPA+ WPA- RE24 PO A
Ivan de Jesus SS 4 1 1 0 0 2 .269 .722 0.006 0.72 0.044 -0.038 0.0 0 2
Greg Gross CF 4 0 1 2 0 0 .297 .806 0.093 1.00 0.139 -0.047 0.6 1 0
Bill Buckner 1B 4 0 1 0 0 0 .307 .711 0.010 0.68 0.042 -0.032 0.0 8 0
Bobby Murcer RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 .237 .673 -0.088 0.98 0.000 -0.088 -0.8 3 0
Larry Biittner LF 4 0 1 0 0 0 .304 .805 -0.100 1.47 0.026 -0.126 -0.5 2 0
Steve Ontiveros 3B 4 0 1 0 0 1 .201 .551 0.167 1.16 0.204 -0.038 0.8 0 4 3B
Manny Trillo 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 .264 .697 -0.135 1.56 0.000 -0.135 -0.9 3 4
Dave Rader C 3 2 1 0 0 0 .234 .619 -0.019 1.54 0.100 -0.119 -0.0 6 0
   Dave Kingman PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 .229 .819 -0.104 3.89 0.000 -0.104 -0.3
Dave Geisel P 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 -0.038 1.76 0.000 -0.038 -0.3 0 0
   Rudy Meoli PH 1 1 1 1 0 0 .133 .544 0.263 1.22 0.263 0.000 1.9 3B
   Donnie Moore P 1 0 0 0 0 1 .333 .667 -0.014 0.61 0.000 -0.014 -0.1 1 0
   Willie Hernandez P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000 0.00 0.000 0.000 0.0 0 0
   Bruce Sutter P 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 0.000 0.00 0.000 0.000 0.0 0 0
Team Totals 35 4 7 3 0 7 .200 .514 0.041 1.22 0.818 -0.779 0.3 24 10
3B: S Ontiveros (3, off J Niekro); R Meoli (1, off J Niekro).
TB: R Meoli 3; S Ontiveros 3; L Biittner; I de Jesus; G Gross; D Rader; B Buckner.
RBI: G Gross 2 (23); R Meoli (2).
2-out RBI: R Meoli.
Team LOB: 4.
With RISP: 1 for 6.
Fielding
DP: 1. M Trillo-B Buckner.

Houston Astros

Batting AB R H RBI BB SO BA OPS WPA aLI WPA+ WPA- RE24 PO A
Wilbur Howard LF 4 0 0 0 0 3 .255 .647 -0.134 1.35 0.000 -0.134 -1.1 1 0
Denny Walling CF 3 0 0 0 1 0 .262 .683 -0.024 0.95 0.041 -0.065 0.0 3 0
Enos Cabell 3B 4 2 2 0 0 0 .296 .701 0.120 2.02 0.211 -0.091 0.2 1 1 3·SB
Jose Cruz RF 3 1 1 0 1 0 .286 .764 -0.016 1.75 0.035 -0.051 -0.1 4 0 SB
Bob Watson 1B 4 1 2 3 0 0 .267 .791 0.586 2.41 0.610 -0.024 2.0 7 1 2B
   Dave Bergman PR-1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 .103 .353 0.000 0.00 0.000 0.000 0.0 2 0
Art Howe 2B 4 1 1 0 0 0 .278 .771 0.033 0.94 0.096 -0.062 0.3 1 7 2B
Joe Ferguson C 2 0 0 0 1 1 .222 .732 -0.054 1.47 0.009 -0.063 -0.2 7 0 IW
Mike Fischlin SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 -0.122 1.56 0.000 -0.122 -1.0 0 0
Joaquin Andujar P 1 0 1 2 0 0 .130 .341 0.201 3.21 0.201 0.000 1.8 1 1 2B
   Joe Niekro P 2 0 0 0 0 2 .231 .462 -0.050 1.04 0.000 -0.050 -0.3 0 0
Team Totals 30 5 7 5 3 6 .233 .636 0.540 1.61 1.203 -0.662 1.7 27 10
2B: B Watson (9, off B Sutter); A Howe (17, off D Geisel); J Andujar (1, off D Geisel).
IBB: J Ferguson (2, by D Geisel).
TB: B Watson 3; A Howe 2; E Cabell 2; J Andujar 2; J Cruz.
RBI: B Watson 3 (38); J Andujar 2 (3).
2-out RBI: J Andujar 2; B Watson 2.
Team LOB: 4.
With RISP: 2 for 7.
Fielding
PB: J Ferguson (5).
Baserunning
SB: E Cabell 3 (11, 2nd base off D Moore/D Rader, 2nd base off W Hernandez/D Rader, 3rd base off B Sutter/D Rader); J Cruz (10, 2nd base off B Sutter/D Rader).

Chicago Cubs

Pitching IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BF GSc IR IS WPA aLI RE24
Dave Geisel 3 4 2 2 2 2 0 4.50 14 43 -0.099 1.28 -0.8
Donnie Moore 4 1 1 1 0 4 0 4.36 13 0 0 0.152 1.25 0.6
Willie Hernandez, H (3), L (5-2) 0.2 1 2 2 1 0 0 3.82 4 0 0 0.010 2.22 0.0
Bruce Sutter, BS (7) 0.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.63 2 2 2 -0.604 3.84 -1.6
Team Totals 8 7 5 5 3 6 0 5.62 33 43 2 2 -0.541 1.22 -1.7

Houston Astros

Pitching IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BF GSc IR IS WPA aLI RE24
Joaquin Andujar 2.1 5 2 2 0 2 0 3.07 12 41 -0.196 1.18 -1.6
Joe Niekro, W (3-4) 6.2 2 2 1 0 5 0 6.84 23 2 0 0.156 1.24 1.3
Team Totals 9 7 4 3 0 7 0 3.00 35 41 2 0 -0.040 1.61 -0.3
Balks: J Andujar (3).
WP: J Niekro (2).
HBP: None.
IBB: D Geisel (1; J Ferguson).
Pickoffs: None.

Other Info

Umpires: HP - Eric Gregg, 1B - Bill Williams, 2B - Dick Stello, 3B - Bruce Froemming.
Time of Game: 2:20.
Attendance: 28,091.
Start Time Weather: In Dome.

Starting Lineups

Chicago Cubs         Houston Astros
1 Ivan de Jesus SS 1 Wilbur Howard LF
2 Greg Gross CF 2 Denny Walling CF
3 Bill Buckner 1B 3 Enos Cabell 3B
4 Bobby Murcer RF 4 Jose Cruz RF
5 Larry Biittner LF 5 Bob Watson 1B
6 Steve Ontiveros 3B 6 Art Howe 2B
7 Manny Trillo 2B 7 Joe Ferguson C
8 Dave Rader C 8 Mike Fischlin SS
9 Dave Geisel P 9 Joaquin Andujar P

Win Probability Chart

Explanation of WPA  · Mouse over chart for play descriptions  · See below chart for tools  · Direct Link in URL Bar

Clear Chart
Big Plays
Scoring Plays
Fix Chart in View While Scrolling

Hold mouse over play on chart to see description of play.
Leverage is shown below the chart Low to High.

Top 5 Plays

View Pitches · wWE and wWPA Explanation
Inn Score Out RoB Pit(cnt) R/O @Bat Batter Pitcher wWPA wWE Play Description
b8 3-4 2 -23 RR HOU B. Watson B. Sutter 57% 88% Double; Cabell Scores; Cruz Scores
b2 0-0 2 123 RR HOU J. Andujar D. Geisel 20% 78% Double; Watson Scores; Howe Scores; Ferguson to 3B
t4 2-2 2 1-- R CHC R. Meoli J. Niekro -17% 36% Triple; Rader Scores
t3 0-2 1 -23 RR CHC G. Gross J. Andujar -14% 50% Single; Rader Scores; de Jesus Scores
t4 2-2 0 --- CHC S. Ontiveros J. Niekro -13% 37% Triple

Play By Play

Inn Score Out RoB Pit(cnt) R/O @Bat Batter Pitcher wWPA wWE Play Description
Top of the 1st, Cubs Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Joaquin Andujar facing 1-2-3
t1 0-0 0 --- O CHC I. de Jesus J. Andujar 2% 52% Strikeout
t1 0-0 1 --- O CHC G. Gross J. Andujar 1% 53% Groundout: 1B-P
t1 0-0 2 --- O CHC B. Buckner J. Andujar 1% 54% Flyball: RF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Bottom of the 1st, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Cubs' Dave Geisel facing 1-2-3
b1 0-0 0 --- O HOU W. Howard D. Geisel -2% 52% Strikeout
b1 0-0 1 --- O HOU D. Walling D. Geisel -1% 51% Flyball: LF
b1 0-0 2 --- O HOU E. Cabell D. Geisel -1% 50% Flyball: RF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Top of the 2nd, Cubs Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Joaquin Andujar facing 4-5-6
t2 0-0 0 --- O CHC B. Murcer J. Andujar 2% 52% Groundout: P-1B
t2 0-0 1 --- CHC L. Biittner J. Andujar -3% 50% Single
t2 0-0 1 1-- O CHC S. Ontiveros J. Andujar 3% 52% Flyball: LF
t2 0-0 2 1-- O CHC M. Trillo J. Andujar 2% 55% Flyball: RF
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Bottom of the 2nd, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Cubs' Dave Geisel facing 4-5-6
b2 0-0 0 --- O HOU J. Cruz D. Geisel -2% 52% Flyball: CF
b2 0-0 1 --- HOU B. Watson D. Geisel 3% 55% Single
b2 0-0 1 1-- HOU A. Howe D. Geisel 10% 65% Double; Watson to 3B
b2 0-0 1 -23 HOU J. Ferguson D. Geisel 1% 66% Intentional Walk
b2 0-0 1 123 O HOU M. Fischlin D. Geisel -8% 58% Flyball: RF
b2 0-0 2 123 RR HOU J. Andujar D. Geisel 20% 78% Double; Watson Scores; Howe Scores; Ferguson to 3B
b2 2-0 2 -23 O HOU W. Howard D. Geisel -4% 74% Strikeout
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 2.
Top of the 3rd, Cubs Batting, Behind 0-2, Astros' Joaquin Andujar facing 8-9-1
t3 0-2 0 --- CHC D. Rader J. Andujar -4% 70% Single
t3 0-2 0 1-- O CHC D. Geisel J. Andujar 4% 74% Strikeout
t3 0-2 1 1-- CHC I. de Jesus J. Andujar -4% 69% Single; Rader to 2B
t3 0-2 1 12- CHC G. Gross J. Andujar -6% 64% Balk; Rader to 3B; de Jesus to 2B
t3 0-2 1 -23 RR CHC G. Gross J. Andujar -14% 50% Single; Rader Scores; de Jesus Scores
t3 2-2 1 1-- CHC B. Buckner J. Andujar -4% 45% Single; Gross to 2B
Joe Niekro replaces Joaquin Andujar pitching and batting 9th
t3 2-2 1 12- O CHC B. Murcer J. Niekro 5% 50% Flyball: CF
t3 2-2 2 12- O CHC L. Biittner J. Niekro 5% 55% Flyball: CF
2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Cubs 2, Astros 2.
Bottom of the 3rd, Astros Batting, Tied 2-2, Cubs' Dave Geisel facing 2-3-4
b3 2-2 0 --- HOU D. Walling D. Geisel 4% 59% Walk
b3 2-2 0 1-- OO HOU E. Cabell D. Geisel -8% 51% Line Drive Double Play: 2B-1B
b3 2-2 2 --- HOU J. Cruz D. Geisel 1% 52% Single
b3 2-2 2 1-- O HOU B. Watson D. Geisel -2% 50% Groundout: SS-2B/Forceout at 2B
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Cubs 2, Astros 2.
Top of the 4th, Cubs Batting, Tied 2-2, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 6-7-8
t4 2-2 0 --- CHC S. Ontiveros J. Niekro -13% 37% Triple
t4 2-2 0 --3 O CHC M. Trillo J. Niekro 6% 43% Flyball: 2B
t4 2-2 1 --3 O CHC D. Rader J. Niekro 10% 53% Fielder's Choice 2B; Ontiveros out at Hm/2B-C; Rader to 1B
Rudy Meoli pinch hits for Dave Geisel (P) batting 9th
t4 2-2 2 1-- R CHC R. Meoli J. Niekro -17% 36% Triple; Rader Scores
t4 3-2 2 --3 R CHC I. de Jesus J. Niekro -10% 27% Passed Ball; Meoli Scores/unER
t4 4-2 2 --- O CHC I. de Jesus J. Niekro 1% 27% Strikeout
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 2.
Bottom of the 4th, Astros Batting, Behind 2-4, Cubs' Donnie Moore facing 6-7-8
Donnie Moore replaces Rudy Meoli (PH) pitching and batting 9th
b4 2-4 0 --- O HOU A. Howe D. Moore -3% 25% Flyball: 2B
b4 2-4 1 --- O HOU J. Ferguson D. Moore -2% 23% Groundout: 3B-1B
b4 2-4 2 --- O HOU M. Fischlin D. Moore -1% 22% Groundout: SS-1B
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 2.
Top of the 5th, Cubs Batting, Ahead 4-2, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 2-3-4
t5 4-2 0 --- O CHC G. Gross J. Niekro 1% 23% Groundout: 2B-1B
t5 4-2 1 --- O CHC B. Buckner J. Niekro 1% 24% Flyball: RF
t5 4-2 2 --- O CHC B. Murcer J. Niekro 1% 25% Groundout: 2B-1B
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 2.
Bottom of the 5th, Astros Batting, Behind 2-4, Cubs' Donnie Moore facing 9-1-2
b5 2-4 0 --- O HOU J. Niekro D. Moore -3% 22% Strikeout
b5 2-4 1 --- O HOU W. Howard D. Moore -2% 20% Strikeout
b5 2-4 2 --- O HOU D. Walling D. Moore -1% 19% Flyball: LF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 2.
Top of the 6th, Cubs Batting, Ahead 4-2, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 5-6-7
t6 4-2 0 --- O CHC L. Biittner J. Niekro 1% 20% Flyball: RF
t6 4-2 1 --- O CHC S. Ontiveros J. Niekro 1% 21% Groundout: 2B-1B
t6 4-2 2 --- O CHC M. Trillo J. Niekro 1% 22% Flyball: 3B
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 2.
Bottom of the 6th, Astros Batting, Behind 2-4, Cubs' Donnie Moore facing 3-4-5
b6 2-4 0 --- HOU E. Cabell D. Moore 6% 28% Single
b6 2-4 0 1-- HOU J. Cruz D. Moore 3% 31% Cabell Steals 2B
b6 2-4 0 -2- O HOU J. Cruz D. Moore -3% 28% Flyball: RF; Cabell to 3B
b6 2-4 1 --3 RO HOU B. Watson D. Moore 1% 30% Groundout: 2B-P; Cabell Scores
b6 3-4 2 --- O HOU A. Howe D. Moore -2% 28% Groundout: 3B-1B
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 3.
Top of the 7th, Cubs Batting, Ahead 4-3, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 8-9-1
t7 4-3 0 --- O CHC D. Rader J. Niekro 2% 30% Groundout: 2B-1B
t7 4-3 1 --- O CHC D. Moore J. Niekro 1% 31% Strikeout
t7 4-3 2 --- O CHC I. de Jesus J. Niekro 1% 32% Groundout: 2B-1B
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 3.
Bottom of the 7th, Astros Batting, Behind 3-4, Cubs' Donnie Moore facing 7-8-9
b7 3-4 0 --- O HOU J. Ferguson D. Moore -5% 28% Strikeout
b7 3-4 1 --- O HOU M. Fischlin D. Moore -3% 25% Groundout: 3B-1B
b7 3-4 2 --- O HOU J. Niekro D. Moore -2% 23% Strikeout
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 3.
Top of the 8th, Cubs Batting, Ahead 4-3, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 2-3-4
t8 4-3 0 --- O CHC G. Gross J. Niekro 2% 24% Flyball: CF
t8 4-3 1 --- O CHC B. Buckner J. Niekro 1% 26% Groundout: 1B unassisted
t8 4-3 2 --- O CHC B. Murcer J. Niekro 1% 27% Strikeout
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 3.
Bottom of the 8th, Astros Batting, Behind 3-4, Cubs' Willie Hernandez facing 1-2-3
Willie Hernandez replaces Donnie Moore pitching and batting 9th
b8 3-4 0 --- O HOU W. Howard W. Hernandez -6% 21% Groundout: 2B-1B
b8 3-4 1 --- O HOU D. Walling W. Hernandez -4% 17% Groundout: 2B-1B
b8 3-4 2 --- HOU E. Cabell W. Hernandez 3% 20% Single
b8 3-4 2 1-- HOU J. Cruz W. Hernandez 3% 23% Cabell Steals 2B
b8 3-4 2 -2- HOU J. Cruz W. Hernandez 2% 26% Walk
Bruce Sutter replaces Willie Hernandez pitching and batting 9th
b8 3-4 2 12- HOU B. Watson B. Sutter 5% 31% Cabell Steals 3B; Cruz Steals 2B
b8 3-4 2 -23 RR HOU B. Watson B. Sutter 57% 88% Double; Cabell Scores; Cruz Scores
Dave Bergman pinch runs for Bob Watson (1B) batting 5th
b8 5-4 2 -2- O HOU A. Howe B. Sutter -2% 86% Groundout: 3B-1B
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 5.
Top of the 9th, Cubs Batting, Behind 4-5, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 5-6-7
Dave Bergman moves from PR to 1B
t9 4-5 0 --- O CHC L. Biittner J. Niekro 7% 92% Groundout: 2B-1B
t9 4-5 1 --- CHC S. Ontiveros J. Niekro -8% 85% Strikeout, Wild Pitch; Ontiveros to 1B
t9 4-5 1 1-- O CHC M. Trillo J. Niekro 5% 90% Groundout: 3B-1B; Ontiveros to 2B
Dave Kingman pinch hits for Dave Rader (C) batting 8th
t9 4-5 2 -2- O CHC D. Kingman J. Niekro 10% 100% Strikeout
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Cubs 4, Astros 5.

Retrosheet.org Boxscore:HOU197806170
BackToBaseball.com Game Playback

  • Score- The score from the perspective of the batting team.
  • RoB- This gives the baserunner (Runners on Base) configuration at the start of the play. "1-3" would mean runners on first and third. Clicking on this will show the defensive players and baserunners on the field for this play.
  • Pit- When available, the number of pitches in this plate appearance. Clicking on this number will show the sequence of pitches thrown including, when available, things like runner going, ball blocked, attempted pickoffs and the like. We believe this data to be as accurate as humanly possible, but there are going to be some errors in the data, so please take it with a grain of salt. Clicking on this will show the defensive players and baserunners on the field for this play.
  • R/O- This has a "O" for every out on the play and an "R" for every run that scored on the play. Some plays will have both in no particular order.
  • Batter- The batter at the plate when this play occurred. If the play is a baserunning event, then the batter's name will be repeated as indicated by quotes.
  • Pitcher- The pitcher on the mound when this play occurred.
  • wWPA- Winning Team's Win Probability Added. The amount that this play increased or decreased the eventual winning team's probability of winning the game. More About Win Probability Added
  • wWE- Winning Team's Win Expectancy. The probability of the eventual winning team winning the game prior to this play given two average teams playing each other. More About Win Probability Added
  • Play Detail- This is an explanation of the play that occurred. In some cases, batted ball location and type will be indicated within parentheses. Again, these are best efforts to the record the game as it happened. Also, plays made on the baserunners (including the batter as a baserunner) will be indicated in parentheses after the baserunner's name. Advancement of baserunners is given in cases where the advancement is not easily deduced or obvious from the play. For example, advancement for a walk will not be given, but for a single or double it will be given.

Please report any issues or strangeness you see with the description of plays given above. We have tested several hundred different types of plays, but, in all likelihood, there are still some errors or misinterpretations of the play-by-play data.

The play-by-play information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet.

In some cases, the results from play-by-play data will contradict results in the official record. The official record has many, many errors, but we have not undertaken to reconcile those errors. Pitch-by-pitch data should not be taken as completely accurate, though we believe it to be as accurate as is currently possible.

Box scores and play-by-play outputs produced by Sports Reference LLC. All Rights Reserved.