[Nick Soulis]

Series #187



1965 Cincinnati Reds
Record: 89-73
Finish: 4th in NL
Manager: Dick Sisler
Ball Park: Crosley Field
WAR Leader: Jim Maloney (9.0)
Franchise Record: 13-8
1965 Season Record: 2-0
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1965.shtml

1995 Houston Astros
Record: 76-68
Finish: 2nd in NL Central
Manager: Terry Collins
Ball Park: Astrodome
WAR Leader: Craig Biggio (6.3)
Franchise Record: 2-3
1995 Season Record: 1-0
Hall of Famers: (3)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1995.shtml
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Houston Sours Past Reds In Four
No Contest Series Displays Astros Talent



Game 1
at Crosley Field
1995 Houston Astros 7
1965 Cincinnati Reds 3
WP: S. Reynolds (1-0) LP: J. Maloney (0-1)
HR: S. Servais (1), P. Rose (1), T. Harper (1)
POG: Derek Bell (4-4, 2B, 3 R)
1995 Astros Lead Series 1-0

In the opening salvo of the Field of Dreams Series #187 at Crosley Field on October 1, 1965, the 1995 Houston Astros seized a 7-3 victory over the 1965 Cincinnati Reds, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff clash behind Derek Bell’s perfect 4-for-4 day, featuring a double, three singles, and three runs scored. The game teetered until the eighth, when Scott Servais’s grand slam off Billy McCool—his lone hit—capped a four-run outburst that broke a 3-3 tie, securing the win for Houston. Shane Reynolds weathered 15 Reds hits over 8 innings, allowing solo homers to Tommy Harper and Pete Rose, while Jim Maloney kept Cincinnati close with 7 innings of 3-earned-run ball. Despite Deron Johnson’s 4-for-5 effort and Cincinnati’s 15 hits, four double plays and 10 left on base doomed the Reds, setting the stage for Game 2 tomorrow as the Astros struck first in this classic.

Game 2
at Crosley Field
1995 Houston Astros 8
1965 Cincinnati Reds 7
WP: D. Veres (1-0) LP: G. Arrigo (0-1) S: T. Jones (1)
HR: None
POG: Jeff Bagwell (2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R)
1995 Astros Lead Series 2-0

In Game 2 of the Field of Dreams Series #187 at Crosley Field on October 2, 1965, the 1995 Houston Astros edged the 1965 Cincinnati Reds 8-7 in a wild, back-and-forth affair, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead behind Jeff Bagwell’s 2-for-4 performance, featuring two doubles, two runs scored, and two RBIs. The Astros erupted for six runs in the first off Joe Nuxhall, who failed to record an out, with Bagwell’s two-run double and Luis Gonzalez’s RBI triple fueling the onslaught. Cincinnati clawed back, tying it at 7-7 in the fifth with Leo Cardenas’s RBI double off Darryl Kile, but Scott Servais’s eighth-inning sacrifice fly off Gerry Arrigo proved the difference. Despite 10 hits and Vada Pinson’s triple, the Reds stranded 10 runners, while Todd Jones sealed the win with a two-inning save, leaving Cincinnati on the brink as the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on October 4.

Game 3
At Astrodome
1965 Cincinnati Reds 6
1995 Houston Astros 8
WP: M. Hampton (1-0) LP: S. Ellis (0-1) S: T. Jones (2)
HR: A. Shamsky (1), S. Servais (2)
POG: Craig Biggio (4-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R, SB)
1995 Astros Lead Series 3-0

In Game 3 of the Field of Dreams Series #187 at the Astrodome on October 4, 1965, the 1995 Houston Astros surged to an 8-6 victory over the 1965 Cincinnati Reds, pushing their series lead to a commanding 3-0 behind Craig Biggio’s perfect 4-for-4 day, including a double, three singles, two runs scored, and an RBI. Houston jumped ahead with a three-run third, sparked by Biggio’s single, and Scott Servais’s two-run double, while Servais also launched a solo homer in the second and added a sixth-inning RBI double off Jim O’Toole. The Reds fought back with Tommy Harper’s two-run double in the second and Art Shamsky’s two-run homer in the ninth off Mike Hampton, who allowed 6 runs over 8.2 innings but held on for the win, with Todd Jones securing his second save. Despite 10 hits, including two doubles from Leo Cardenas, Cincinnati couldn’t overcome Sammy Ellis’s rocky 6-run outing, leaving them one loss from elimination as the Astros tighten their grip on the series.

Game 4
At Astrodome
1965 Cincinnati Reds 6
1995 Houston Astros 7 (10 inn)
WP: J. Hudek (1-0) LP: D. Zanni (0-1)
HR: D. Johnson (1), S. Servais (3), L. Gonzalez (1)
POG: Luis Gonzalez (2-4, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB)


In a thrilling Game 4 of the Field of Dreams Series #187 at the Astrodome on October 5, 1965, the 1995 Houston Astros clinched a 7-6 victory over the 1965 Cincinnati Reds in 10 innings, completing a 4-0 sweep to claim the best-of-seven clash. Luis Gonzalez sparked the Astros with a solo homer in the fourth and scored the winning run in the 10th after Craig Biggio’s two-run single off Don Zanni, who faltered late, ending Cincinnati’s hopes. The Reds mounted a late rally, tying it at 5-5 in the seventh with Frank Robinson’s two-run double and taking a 6-5 lead in the ninth via Vada Pinson’s RBI single off Todd Jones, only for John Hudek to escape further damage. Despite Deron Johnson’s solo homer and Leo Cardenas’s two hits, Cincinnati couldn’t overcome Scott Servais’s early homer and Doug Drabek’s gritty 7 innings, leaving Houston fans to revel in a as the Reds’ run ended in defeat.

1995 Houston Astros Win Series 4 Games To 0

Series MVP:

(.444, 6 RBI, 4 R, 2 2B, .474 OBP, 1.029 OPS)