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BOS  4
KCR  3

TEX  2
@CHW  1

CLE  3
TOR  0

DET  5
CAL  1

MIL  3
OAK  0

BAL  9
@MIN  4

ATL 11
STL  3

HOU  5
CHC  0
LAD  6
NYM  5

CIN  4
@PIT  1

PHI  2
@SDP  1

SFG  4
MON  2

Standings at end of play this day

Astrodome, Attendance: 23,718

Friday, May 15, 1981, 7:35PM
Time of Game: 2:16
Cubs
0
5-23
Lost 4
6th, 13 GB
                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Cubs            0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0    0  4  0
Astros          0  0  0   3  0  1   1  0  X    5  9  0
W: Joe Niekro (4-3), L: Bill Caudill (0-3)
Astros
5
16-18
Won 1
5th, 8½ GB

Batting Stats

Chicago Cubs                 AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit  Str   PO   A  Details
I DeJesus SS                  4   0   0   0    0   1  .152  .419              3   1   
J Strain 2B                   4   0   3   0    0   0  .303  .681              0   2   
B Buckner 1B                  3   0   0   0    1   1  .289  .813              3   1   
L Durham RF                   4   0   1   0    0   0  .283  .761              5   0   
J Tracy LF                    4   0   0   0    0   0  .208  .536              1   0   GDP
K Reitz 3B                    3   0   0   0    0   0  .173  .481              0   0   
  L McGlothen P               0   0   0   0    0   0  .091  .273              0   0   
S Thompson CF                 3   0   0   0    0   0  .171  .463              2   0   
J Davis C                     2   0   0   0    1   0  .214  .552              7   0   
B Caudill P                   1   0   0   0    0   0  .143  .286              1   0   
  M Tyson PH                  1   0   0   0    0   0  .200  .554              0   0   
  K Kravec P                  0   0   0   0    0   0  .000  .000              1   0   
  H Cruz 3B                   1   0   0   0    0   0  .237  .829              1   1   
Totals                       30   0   4   0    2   2                         24   5
Batting Events
TB: J Strain 3; L Durham.
GIDP: J Tracy (1).
Team LOB: 5.
With RISP: 0 for 3.
Houston Astros               AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit  Str   PO   A  Details
T Puhl CF                     2   0   1   2    1   1  .248  .713              4   0   SB,HBP,SF
C Reynolds SS                 5   0   0   0    0   0  .252  .677              3   3   
D Walling RF                  5   1   1   0    0   1  .256  .901              1   0   
J Cruz LF                     4   0   0   0    0   2  .246  .752              5   0   
D Heep 1B                     4   1   2   0    0   1  .280  .668             10   1   
A Howe 3B                     3   2   1   1    1   0  .350  .924              0   2   2B
A Ashby C                     2   1   2   2    1   0  .229  .627              2   1   2B,SH,IW
R Landestoy 2B                2   0   1   0    2   0  .135  .408              1   2   IW
J Niekro P                    4   0   1   0    0   1  .095  .269              1   1   
Totals                       31   5   9   0    5   6                         27  10
Batting Events
2B: A Howe (9, off B Caudill); A Ashby (4, off B Caudill).
SF: T Puhl (1, off K Kravec).
SH: A Ashby (2, off K Kravec).
IBB: R Landestoy (2, by K Kravec); A Ashby (4, by L McGlothen).
HBP: T Puhl (2, by B Caudill).
TB: A Ashby 3; A Howe 2; D Heep 2; T Puhl; J Niekro; D Walling; R Landestoy.
RBI: T Puhl 2 (8); A Ashby 2 (10); A Howe (9).
2-out RBI: T Puhl.
Team LOB: 10.
With RISP: 3 for 12.
Fielding Events
DP: 1. R Landestoy-C Reynolds-D Heep.
Baserunning Events
SB: T Puhl (6, 2nd base off B Caudill/J Davis).

Pitching Stats

Chicago Cubs                  IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
B Caudill, L (0-3)             5     6   3   3    1   4   0   4.59   23     -       ·  ·      2· 9· 0· 6     46    -     0.95  -0.15
K Kravec                       1.1   3   2   2    2   1   0   7.06    9     -       ·  ·      1· 2· 0· 3          0-0    0.41  -0.04
L McGlothen                    1.2   0   0   0    2   1   0   3.32    7     -       ·  ·      3· 1· 0· 0          2-1    0.08  -0.00
Totals                         8     9   5   5    5   6   0          39     -       ·  ·      6·12· 0· 9          2-1 
Houston Astros                IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
J Niekro, W (4-3)              9     4   0   0    2   2   0   2.14   32     -       ·  ·     11·13· 0· 4     79    -     0.67   0.31
Totals                         9     4   0   0    2   2   0          32     -       ·  ·     11·13· 0· 4           -  
Balks: None.
WP: None.
HBP: B Caudill (1; T Puhl).
IBB: L McGlothen (2; A Ashby); K Kravec (2; R Landestoy).
Pickoffs: None.

Other Info

Umpires: HP - Dick Stello, 1B - Terry Tata, 2B - Jerry Crawford, 3B - Satch Davidson.
Time of Game: 2:16.
Attendance: 23,718.
Start Time Weather: 72° F, In Dome.

Lineups

   Chicago Cubs                              Houston Astros                               
1. Ivan DeJesus                 SS       1. Terry Puhl                   CF
2. Joe Strain                   2B       2. Craig Reynolds               SS
3. Bill Buckner                 1B       3. Denny Walling                RF
4. Leon Durham                  RF       4. Jose Cruz                    LF
5. Jim Tracy                    LF       5. Danny Heep                   1B
6. Ken Reitz                    3B       6. Art Howe                     3B
7. Scot Thompson                CF       7. Alan Ashby                    C
8. Jody Davis                    C       8. Rafael Landestoy             2B
9. Bill Caudill                  P       9. Joe Niekro                    P

Top 5 Plays

Glossary · Click headers to sort · CSV · PRE · View Pitches · wWE and wWPA Explanation
Inn Out RoB R/O Pit(cnt) wWPA wWE Score @Bat Batter Pitcher Play Description
b4 1 -23 RR 15% 82% 0-0 HOU A. Ashby B. Caudill Double to RF; Heep Scores; Howe Scores
b4 1 1-- 11% 67% 0-0 HOU A. Howe B. Caudill Double to RF; Heep to 3B
b4 2 12- R 8% 88% 2-0 HOU T. Puhl B. Caudill Single to CF; Ashby Scores; Landestoy to 3B
t4 2 1-3 O 6% 56% 0-0 CHC J. Tracy J. Niekro Groundout: 2B-P
b2 2 12- O -4% 50% 0-0 HOU J. Niekro B. Caudill Popfly: SS

Play By Play

Glossary · Click headers to sort · CSV · PRE · View Pitches · Box Score Explanation · wWE and wWPA Explanation
Inn Out RoB R/O Pit(cnt) wWPA wWE Score @Bat Batter Pitcher Play Description
Top of the 1st, Cubs Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 1-2-3
t1 0 --- O 2% 52% 0-0 CHC I. DeJesus J. Niekro Groundout: 3B-1B
t1 1 --- O 1% 54% 0-0 CHC J. Strain J. Niekro Flyball: CF
t1 2 --- O 1% 54% 0-0 CHC B. Buckner J. Niekro Strikeout
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Bottom of the 1st, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Cubs' Bill Caudill facing 1-2-3
b1 0 --- 4% 58% 0-0 HOU T. Puhl B. Caudill Hit By Pitch
b1 0 1-- 3% 61% 0-0 HOU C. Reynolds B. Caudill Puhl Steals 2B
b1 0 -2- O -4% 57% 0-0 HOU C. Reynolds B. Caudill Popfly: SS
b1 1 -2- O -3% 54% 0-0 HOU D. Walling B. Caudill Groundout: 2B-1B; Puhl to 3B
b1 2 --3 O -4% 50% 0-0 HOU J. Cruz B. Caudill Flyball: LF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Top of the 2nd, Cubs Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 4-5-6
t2 0 --- O 2% 52% 0-0 CHC L. Durham J. Niekro Groundout: 1B unassisted
t2 1 --- O 1% 54% 0-0 CHC J. Tracy J. Niekro Flyball: LF
t2 2 --- O 1% 55% 0-0 CHC K. Reitz J. Niekro Groundout: 1B unassisted
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Bottom of the 2nd, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Cubs' Bill Caudill facing 5-6-7
b2 0 --- O -2% 52% 0-0 HOU D. Heep B. Caudill Groundout: 1B-P
b2 1 --- O -1% 51% 0-0 HOU A. Howe B. Caudill Foul Popfly: C
b2 2 --- 1% 52% 0-0 HOU A. Ashby B. Caudill Single to LF
b2 2 1-- 2% 54% 0-0 HOU R. Landestoy B. Caudill Single to LF; Ashby to 2B
b2 2 12- O -4% 50% 0-0 HOU J. Niekro B. Caudill Popfly: SS
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Top of the 3rd, Cubs Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 7-8-9
t3 0 --- O 2% 52% 0-0 CHC S. Thompson J. Niekro Groundout: P-1B
t3 1 --- O 2% 54% 0-0 CHC J. Davis J. Niekro Groundout: 3B-1B
t3 2 --- O 1% 55% 0-0 CHC B. Caudill J. Niekro Flyball: RF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Bottom of the 3rd, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Cubs' Bill Caudill facing 1-2-3
b3 0 --- O -2% 53% 0-0 HOU T. Puhl B. Caudill Strikeout
b3 1 --- O -2% 51% 0-0 HOU C. Reynolds B. Caudill Flyball: CF
b3 2 --- O -1% 50% 0-0 HOU D. Walling B. Caudill Flyball: CF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Top of the 4th, Cubs Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 1-2-3
t4 0 --- O 2% 52% 0-0 CHC I. DeJesus J. Niekro Popfly: 2B
t4 1 --- -3% 50% 0-0 CHC J. Strain J. Niekro Single to CF
t4 1 1-- O 3% 53% 0-0 CHC B. Buckner J. Niekro Groundout: 1B-SS/Forceout at 2B
t4 2 1-- -3% 50% 0-0 CHC L. Durham J. Niekro Single to RF; Buckner to 3B
t4 2 1-3 O 6% 56% 0-0 CHC J. Tracy J. Niekro Groundout: 2B-P
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 0.
Bottom of the 4th, Astros Batting, Tied 0-0, Cubs' Bill Caudill facing 4-5-6
b4 0 --- O -3% 53% 0-0 HOU J. Cruz B. Caudill Flyball: RF
b4 1 --- 3% 56% 0-0 HOU D. Heep B. Caudill Single to RF
b4 1 1-- 11% 67% 0-0 HOU A. Howe B. Caudill Double to RF; Heep to 3B
b4 1 -23 RR 15% 82% 0-0 HOU A. Ashby B. Caudill Double to RF; Heep Scores; Howe Scores
b4 1 -2- 1% 83% 2-0 HOU R. Landestoy B. Caudill Walk
b4 1 12- O -3% 81% 2-0 HOU J. Niekro B. Caudill Strikeout
b4 2 12- R 8% 88% 2-0 HOU T. Puhl B. Caudill Single to CF; Ashby Scores; Landestoy to 3B
b4 2 1-3 O -2% 87% 3-0 HOU C. Reynolds B. Caudill Flyball: RF
3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 3.
Top of the 5th, Cubs Batting, Behind 0-3, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 6-7-8
t5 0 --- O 2% 89% 0-3 CHC K. Reitz J. Niekro Groundout: SS-1B
t5 1 --- O 1% 90% 0-3 CHC S. Thompson J. Niekro Flyball: CF
t5 2 --- O 1% 91% 0-3 CHC J. Davis J. Niekro Flyball: CF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 3.
Bottom of the 5th, Astros Batting, Ahead 3-0, Cubs' Bill Caudill facing 3-4-5
b5 0 --- O -1% 90% 3-0 HOU D. Walling B. Caudill Flyball: RF
b5 1 --- O -1% 89% 3-0 HOU J. Cruz B. Caudill Strikeout
b5 2 --- O -0% 89% 3-0 HOU D. Heep B. Caudill Strikeout
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 3.
Top of the 6th, Cubs Batting, Behind 0-3, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 9-1-2
Mike Tyson pinch hits for Bill Caudill (P) batting 9th
t6 0 --- O 2% 91% 0-3 CHC M. Tyson J. Niekro Groundout: SS-1B
t6 1 --- O 1% 92% 0-3 CHC I. DeJesus J. Niekro Strikeout
t6 2 --- -1% 91% 0-3 CHC J. Strain J. Niekro Single to RF
t6 2 1-- O 2% 93% 0-3 CHC B. Buckner J. Niekro Foul Popfly: C
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 3.
Bottom of the 6th, Astros Batting, Ahead 3-0, Cubs' Ken Kravec facing 6-7-8
Ken Kravec replaces Mike Tyson (PH) pitching and batting 9th
b6 0 --- 1% 94% 3-0 HOU A. Howe K. Kravec Walk
b6 0 1-- O -0% 94% 3-0 HOU A. Ashby K. Kravec Bunt Groundout: P unassisted/Sacrifice; Howe to 2B
b6 1 -2- 0% 94% 3-0 HOU R. Landestoy K. Kravec Intentional Walk
b6 1 12- 2% 95% 3-0 HOU J. Niekro K. Kravec Single to LF; Howe to 3B; Landestoy to 2B
b6 1 123 RO 1% 96% 3-0 HOU T. Puhl K. Kravec Flyball: RF/Sacrifice Fly; Howe Scores; Landestoy to 3B
b6 2 1-3 O -1% 96% 4-0 HOU C. Reynolds K. Kravec Flyball: RF
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 4.
Top of the 7th, Cubs Batting, Behind 0-4, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 4-5-6
t7 0 --- O 1% 97% 0-4 CHC L. Durham J. Niekro Popfly: SS
t7 1 --- O 1% 98% 0-4 CHC J. Tracy J. Niekro Flyball: CF
t7 2 --- O 0% 98% 0-4 CHC K. Reitz J. Niekro Flyball: LF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 4.
Bottom of the 7th, Astros Batting, Ahead 4-0, Cubs' Ken Kravec facing 3-4-5
b7 0 --- 0% 98% 4-0 HOU D. Walling K. Kravec Single to CF
b7 0 1-- O -0% 98% 4-0 HOU J. Cruz K. Kravec Strikeout
b7 1 1-- 1% 99% 4-0 HOU D. Heep K. Kravec Single to CF; Walling to 3B
Lynn McGlothen replaces Ken Reitz (3B) pitching and batting 6th; Hector Cruz replaces Ken Kravec (P) playing 3B batting 9th
b7 1 1-3 RO 0% 99% 4-0 HOU A. Howe L. McGlothen Groundout: 3B-1B; Heep to 2B; Walling Scores
b7 2 -2- 0% 99% 5-0 HOU A. Ashby L. McGlothen Intentional Walk
b7 2 12- O -0% 99% 5-0 HOU R. Landestoy L. McGlothen Popfly: 3B
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 5.
Top of the 8th, Cubs Batting, Behind 0-5, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 7-8-9
t8 0 --- O 0% 99% 0-5 CHC S. Thompson J. Niekro Groundout: 1B unassisted
t8 1 --- -1% 99% 0-5 CHC J. Davis J. Niekro Walk
t8 1 1-- O 1% 99% 0-5 CHC H. Cruz J. Niekro Flyball: LF
t8 2 1-- O 0% 100% 0-5 CHC I. DeJesus J. Niekro Flyball: LF
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 5.
Bottom of the 8th, Astros Batting, Ahead 5-0, Cubs' Lynn McGlothen facing 9-1-2
b8 0 --- O -0% 100% 5-0 HOU J. Niekro L. McGlothen Groundout: SS-1B
b8 1 --- 0% 100% 5-0 HOU T. Puhl L. McGlothen Walk
b8 1 1-- O -0% 100% 5-0 HOU C. Reynolds L. McGlothen Groundout: 2B-SS/Forceout at 2B
b8 2 1-- O 0% 100% 5-0 HOU D. Walling L. McGlothen Strikeout
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 5.
Top of the 9th, Cubs Batting, Behind 0-5, Astros' Joe Niekro facing 2-3-4
t9 0 --- -1% 99% 0-5 CHC J. Strain J. Niekro Single to RF
t9 0 1-- -1% 98% 0-5 CHC B. Buckner J. Niekro Walk; Strain to 2B
t9 0 12- O 1% 99% 0-5 CHC L. Durham J. Niekro Flyball: LF
t9 1 12- OO 1% 100% 0-5 CHC J. Tracy J. Niekro Ground Ball Double Play: 2B-SS-1B
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Cubs 0, Astros 5.

Retrosheet.org Boxscore:HOU198105150

Play-by-Play Explanation

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Score- The score from the perspective of the batting team.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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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.

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