The marathon opener of a twi-night doubleheader saw the Astros gain a 2-1 victory on a balk in the 21st inning before the Padres came back to win the second game, 5-4. Play in the twinbill began at 6:05 p.m. San Diego time, and the last out was not made until 2:28 a.m. The first game took four hours, 25 minutes. The Padres scored their run in the second inning on singles by Nate Colbert and Garry Jestadt around an infield out by Larry Stahl. Rich Chiles tied the score with a homer in the fourth. The game then produced a procession of goose eggs until the 21st when Jesus Alou beat out an infield hit and Cesar Cedeno sacrificed. Alou took third after a long fly by Larry Howard and scored when plate umpire Tom Gorman called a balk on Gary Ross, who interrupted his motion while pitching to Denis Menke.

The nightcap was finished in the fog. With the score tied, Don Mason opened the ninth inning with a single and stopped at second on a single by Colbert. Time was called for 14 minutes because of fog. When play resumed, Ollie Brown singled to drive in the winning run. [The Sporting News]



Houston Astros 2, San Diego Padres 1 (Game 1)
Game Played on Friday, September 24, 1971 (Night game) at San Diego Stadium
Astros       0  0  0    1  0  0    0  0  0    0  0  0    0  0  0    0  0  0    0  0  1  -   2 11  1
Padres       0  1  0    0  0  0    0  0  0    0  0  0    0  0  0    0  0  0    0  0  0  -   1 13  1


Astros               AB   R   H RBI    BB  SO    AVG      Padres               AB   R   H RBI    BB  SO    AVG
Metzger ss            9   0   2   0     0   0   .238      Gaspar lf             6   0   1   0     0   2   .071
  Greif p             0   0   0   0     0   0   .333        Murrell ph          1   0   0   0     0   0   .238
  Guinn p             0   0   0   0     0   0   .000        Kelley p            0   0   0   0     0   0   .333
Morgan 2b             8   0   0   0     1   1   .256        Severinsen p        0   0   0   0     0   0   .000
Geronimo rf,lf        6   0   1   0     0   4   .220        Kendall ph          1   0   0   0     0   0   .171
  Alou ph,lf          3   1   1   0     0   0   .276        Ross p              0   0   0   0     0   0   .000
Cedeno cf             8   0   0   0     0   0   .263        Roberts ph          1   0   1   0     0   0   .210
Chiles lf             6   1   2   1     0   1   .232        Norman pr           0   0   0   0     0   0   .237
  Ray p               0   0   0   0     0   0   .167      Mason 2b              9   0   1   0     0   1   .214
  Howard ph,c         3   0   0   0     0   0   .216      Jeter cf              9   0   4   0     0   0   .340
Menke 1b              8   0   0   0     1   4   .249      Colbert 1b            9   1   2   0     0   2   .268
Edwards c             6   0   1   0     0   1   .228      Stahl rf              9   0   0   0     0   3   .256
  Watson ph           1   0   0   0     0   0   .288      Jestadt 3b            8   0   3   1     0   0   .283
  Culver p            0   0   0   0     0   0   .091      Barton c              7   0   1   0     1   1   .245
  Martinez ph,ss      1   0   1   0     0   0   .231      Hernandez ss          3   0   0   0     1   0   .221
Busse 3b              5   0   1   0     2   3   .154        Brown ph            1   0   0   0     0   0   .269
Forsch p              5   0   2   0     0   2   .111        Dean ss             3   0   0   0     0   2   .111
  Wynn rf             2   0   0   0     1   0   .206      Kirby p               5   0   0   0     0   1   .098
                                                            Gaston ph,lf        3   0   0   0     0   0   .227

Totals               71   2  11   1     5  16             Totals               75   1  13   1     2  12

Time of Game: 5:25
Left on Base: Astros 13, Padres 13
DP: Astros 1, Padres 1
Errors: Metzger, Jestadt
Doubles: Jeter (3), Jestadt (12)
Home Runs: Chiles (2)
Stolen Bases: Morgan (38), Metzger 2 (14)
Caught Stealing: Chiles (1), Gaspar (1), Jestadt (3)
Sacrifice Hits: Busse (1), Cedeno (3)
GIDP: Metzger (5)


Astros                 IP     H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR BFP    ERA
Forsch                 13     6   1   1   1   8   0  45   2.66
Ray                     3     3   0   0   0   1   0  14   2.13
Culver                  3     2   0   0   0   2   0   9   2.64
Greif W(1-1)            1.2   2   0   0   1   1   0   8   5.79
Guinn SV(1)             0.1   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   0.00
Totals                 21    13   1   1   2  12   0  77

Padres                 IP     H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR BFP    ERA
Kirby                  15     8   1   1   3  15   1  55   2.90
Kelley                  1.2   0   0   0   2   0   0   7   3.51
Severinsen              1.1   0   0   0   0   0   0   4   3.36
Ross L(1-3)             3     3   1   1   0   1   0  12   2.96
Totals                 21    11   2   2   5  16   1  78

Balks: Ross (1)

Umpires: HP - Tom Gorman, 1B - Stan Landes, 2B - Andy Olsen, 3B - John Kibler


ASTROS 1ST: Metzger out on an unknown play; Morgan walked;
Morgan stole second; Geronimo struck out; Cedeno out on an
unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Astros 0, Padres 0.

PADRES 1ST: Gaspar struck out; Mason struck out; Jeter out on an
unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 0, Padres 0.

ASTROS 2ND: Chiles out on an unknown play; Menke struck out;
Edwards out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 0,
Padres 0.

PADRES 2ND: Colbert singled; Stahl out on an unknown play
[Colbert to second]; Jestadt singled [Colbert scored]; Barton
reached on a fielder's choice [Jestadt to second]; Hernandez out
on an unknown play; Kirby struck out; 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.
Astros 0, Padres 1.

ASTROS 3RD: Busse walked; Forsch struck out; Metzger out on an
unknown play; Morgan struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Astros
0, Padres 1.

PADRES 3RD: Gaspar singled; Gaspar was caught stealing second;
Mason out on an unknown play; Jeter out on an unknown play; 0 R,
1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 0, Padres 1.

ASTROS 4TH: Geronimo struck out; Cedeno out on an unknown play;
Chiles homered; Menke out on an unknown play; 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0
LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 4TH: Colbert struck out; Stahl struck out; Jestadt out on
an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 5TH: Edwards singled; Busse out on an unknown play;
Forsch singled [Edwards to second]; Metzger out on an unknown
play; Morgan out on an unknown play; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.
Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 5TH: Barton out on an unknown play; Hernandez out on an
unknown play; Kirby out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0
LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 6TH: Geronimo struck out; Cedeno out on an unknown play;
Chiles singled; Chiles was caught stealing second; 0 R, 1 H, 0
E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 6TH: Gaspar struck out; Mason out on an unknown play;
Jeter out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1,
Padres 1.

ASTROS 7TH: Menke struck out; Edwards struck out; Busse struck
out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 7TH: Colbert out on an unknown play; Stahl struck out;
Jestadt out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1,
Padres 1.

ASTROS 8TH: Forsch singled to third; Metzger out on an unknown
play; Morgan reached on an error by Jestadt [Forsch to second];
Geronimo singled [Forsch to third, Morgan to second]; Cedeno
reached on a fielder's choice [Forsch out at home, Morgan to
third, Geronimo to second]; Chiles struck out; 0 R, 2 H, 1 E, 3
LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 8TH: Barton out on an unknown play; Hernandez out on an
unknown play; Kirby out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0
LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 9TH: Menke struck out; Edwards out on an unknown play;
Busse struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 9TH: Gaspar out on an unknown play; Mason out on an
unknown play; Jeter doubled; Colbert struck out; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E,
1 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 10TH: Forsch struck out; Metzger out on an unknown play;
Morgan out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1,
Padres 1.

PADRES 10TH: Stahl out on an unknown play; Jestadt doubled;
Barton out on an unknown play; Hernandez was walked
intentionally; Kirby flied out on an unknown play; 0 R, 1 H, 0
E, 2 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 11TH: Geronimo struck out; Cedeno out on an unknown play;
Chiles out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1,
Padres 1.

PADRES 11TH: Gaspar out on an unknown play; Mason out on an
unknown play; Jeter out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0
LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 12TH: Menke out on an unknown play; Edwards out on an
unknown play; Busse struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1,
Padres 1.

PADRES 12TH: Colbert out on an unknown play; Stahl out on an
unknown play; Jestadt out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0
LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 13TH: Forsch out on an unknown play; Metzger singled;
Morgan out on an unknown play; Metzger stole second; Geronimo
lined to left; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 13TH: Barton singled; Barton was picked off first; BROWN
BATTED FOR HERNANDEZ; Brown out on an unknown play; Kirby out on
an unknown play; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 14TH: DEAN REPLACED BROWN (PLAYING SS); Cedeno out on an
unknown play; Chiles out on an unknown play; Menke out on an
unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 14TH: RAY REPLACED CHILES (PITCHING); WYNN REPLACED
FORSCH (PLAYING RF); GERONIMO CHANGED POSITIONS (PLAYING LF);
Gaspar out on an unknown play; Mason singled; Jeter singled
[Mason to second]; Colbert reached on a fielder's choice [Mason
to third, Jeter to second]; Stahl was called out on strikes;
Jestadt out on an unknown play; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 3 LOB.  Astros 1,
Padres 1.

ASTROS 15TH: Edwards out on an unknown play; Busse singled; Wynn
walked [Busse to second]; Metzger grounded into a double play
(second to shortstop to first) [Wynn out at second]; 0 R, 1 H, 0
E, 1 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 15TH: Barton out on an unknown play; Dean reached on an
error by Metzger; GASTON BATTED FOR KIRBY; Gaston flied out on
an unknown play in foul territory; MURRELL BATTED FOR GASPAR;
Murrell grounded out (pitcher to first); 0 R, 0 H, 1 E, 1 LOB.
Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 16TH: KELLEY REPLACED MURRELL (PITCHING); GASTON STAYED
IN GAME (PLAYING LF); Morgan out on an unknown play; ALOU BATTED
FOR GERONIMO; Alou out on an unknown play; Cedeno out on an
unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 16TH: ALOU STAYED IN GAME (PLAYING LF); Mason out on an
unknown play; Jeter singled; Colbert out on an unknown play;
Stahl out on an unknown play; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Astros 1,
Padres 1.

ASTROS 17TH: HOWARD BATTED FOR RAY; Howard out on an unknown
play; Menke walked; WATSON BATTED FOR EDWARDS; Watson out on an
unknown play; Busse walked [Menke to second]; SEVERINSEN
REPLACED KELLEY (PITCHING); Wynn flied out on an unknown play; 0
R, 0 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 17TH: CULVER REPLACED WATSON (PITCHING); HOWARD STAYED IN
GAME (PLAYING C ); Jestadt singled; Barton struck out; Dean
struck out while Jestadt was caught stealing second (catcher to
shortstop to first); 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 18TH: Metzger out on an unknown play; Morgan out on an
unknown play; Alou out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.
 Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 18TH: Gaston out on an unknown play; KENDALL BATTED FOR
SEVERINSEN; Kendall out on an unknown play; Mason out on an
unknown play; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 19TH: ROSS REPLACED KENDALL (PITCHING); Cedeno out on an
unknown play; Howard out on an unknown play; Menke struck out; 0
R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 19TH: Jeter singled; Colbert out on an unknown play;
Stahl out on an unknown play; Jeter was picked off first; 0 R, 1
H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 20TH: MARTINEZ BATTED FOR CULVER; Martinez singled; Busse
out on a sacrifice bunt [Martinez to second]; Wynn out on an
unknown play; Metzger singled [Martinez to third]; Metzger stole
second; Morgan out on an unknown play; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.
Astros 1, Padres 1.

PADRES 20TH: GREIF REPLACED METZGER (PITCHING); MARTINEZ STAYED
IN GAME (PLAYING SS); Jestadt out on an unknown play; Barton
walked; Dean struck out; Gaston out on an unknown play; 0 R, 0
H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Astros 1, Padres 1.

ASTROS 21ST: Alou singled; Cedeno out on a sacrifice bunt [Alou
to second]; Howard out on an unknown play [Alou to third]; Ross
balked [Alou scored]; Menke out on an unknown play; 1 R, 1 H, 0
E, 0 LOB.  Astros 2, Padres 1.

PADRES 21ST: ROBERTS BATTED FOR ROSS; Roberts singled; NORMAN
RAN FOR ROBERTS; Mason out on an unknown play; Jeter out on an
unknown play; Colbert singled [Norman to second]; GUINN REPLACED
GREIF (PITCHING); Stahl out on an unknown play; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2
LOB.  Astros 2, Padres 1.