The 1980 Los Angeles Dodgers Finally Caught the Houston Astros

At the end of play on October 2, 1980, the Houston Astros led the Los Angeles Dodgers by three games, with three games left to play for each team. The teams would face off at Dodger Stadium for what promised to be a dramatic series. All Houston had to do was win one game. They didn't. Both Teams Had Solid PitchingBoth teams had solid pitching. The Astros starters included 19 game winner Joe Niekro, the great Nolan Ryan, Ken Forsch, but no longer included the best pitcher in baseball at the time, James Rodney Richard, who had suffered a stroke.The Dodgers were led by lefty Jerry Reuss, Reggie Jackson nemesis Bob Welch, the solid, steady, and unspectacular Don Sutton, and Burt Hooton. They also had Dave Goltz, whom they acquired from Minnesota, but who had been ineffective as a Dodger. Los Angeles Ties the Astros in the Bottom of the Ninth and Wins in TenThe Astros started Ken Forsch against Don Sutton. In a classic game, the Dodgers came to bat in the bottom of the ninth, trailin...