The Houston reliever entered with two outs in the ninth and somehow earned the win without facing a batter officially.

On June 24, 1986, Houston reliever Larry Anderson stepped in with two outs in the ninth and wound up with a victory without officially pitching to a batter. Anderson uncorked a wild pitch, sending Cincinnati’s Buddy Bell racing home from third. Anderson and the ball and got to the plate ahead of Bell and tagged him out to end the inning. Moments later, Houston erupted in the bottom half for a dramatic 7–6 win.

🕵️ Inside Today’s Original Newspaper Coverage:

  • Houston’s slugger delivers a stunning finish in the ninth

  • Astros clubhouse rides an emotional roller coaster after the wild ending

  • Bill Doran describes the game’s sudden swing from despair to celebration

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