1969: Padres Beat Astros Again
Mon, Apr 9, 2007
by Geoff Young
April 9, 1969, San Diego: Padres 2, Astros 0 (box score)
After winning the first game in franchise history, the Padres made it two in a row against Houston. The Padres scored two early runs, more than enough for Johnny Podres and Tommy Sisk.
In the bottom of the first inning, Roberto Pena drew a one-out walk off right-hander Larry Dierker. Tony Gonzalez followed with a single to right that advanced Pena to third. Ollie Brown then grounded to second. Joe Morgan fielded the ball and flipped to shortstop for the force, allowing Pena to score.
In the second, Dierker again issued a one-out walk, this time to Ed Spiezio. In a replay of the first inning, Chris Cannizzaro singled to right, moving Spiezio to third. Podres followed with a fly ball to center field that plated Spiezio for the second and final run of the game.
The only hits off Podres, meanwhile, were singles to Curt Blefary and Morgan. The veteran southpaw also walked three before yielding to Sisk, who worked the final two innings to record the Padres’ first ever save.
How many people witnessed the second victory in Padres history? A whopping 4,218. Sadly, the numbers wouldn’t always be that good later in the season.
Trivia: Dierker, who became a broadcaster and manager for the Astros after his playing days were over, went on to notch the only 20-win season of his career.
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