NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES : New York vs. Houston : Astros Disappointed at Outcome but Have Some Sweet Memories

After their most bitter defeat of the season, the Houston Astros tried to cling to some sweet memories.

“We had a lot of chances to win in all of the ballgames but we didn’t come out here and lay down,” Astros shortstop Craig Reynolds said. “We came out to win and we didn’t. But we’re not ashamed.

“Either team could have won. They beat us and they deserve to go to the World Series.”

It was a sad ending to a marvelous Astro season.

They had been picked as an also-ran in the NL West but finished as the surprise winner and played the Mets, winners of 108 games, hard every inning of every game.

“Right now, it’s painful losing but I’m thankful for the good things that happened this season,” Reynolds said.

The Astros led, 3-0, until the ninth inning Wednesday, when the Mets tied the score and forced the games into extra innings for the second straight day.

“It was an emotional game,” Astros third baseman Phil Garner said. “When you go out there and maybe the next at-bat is the biggest of your career or the next defensive play is the biggest, you’re emotionally drained when it’s over.”

Houston starter Bob Knepper shut out the Mets for eight innings before losing control of the game in the ninth. He then sat and watched in agony from the dugout.

“During the last six or seven innings, I had plenty of time to cry inside about letting the game slip away,” Knepper said. “During the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th innings, I was thinking that none of this would have been necessary if I had done my job. We’d be out there tomorrow.”

Astros players conceded they had their chances to win the game but couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities.

“We played our hearts out -- we played the best we could and got the support we needed and the Mets still beat us,” Astros catcher Alan Ashby said. “They beat us in their last at-bat and that’s something we’ve been doing all season.”

The Astros’ final rally in the 16th inning fell short when Kevin Bass struck out to end the game . . . and the season.

“I swung out of control,” Bass said. “I was looking for a mistake and he didn’t make one. He made a good pitch. It was a battle. He won and I lost.”