Astros Make History as Dodgers’ Home Season Ends

The Dodgers walked off the field at Dodger Stadium on Sunday for the last time this season, but not without adding two more pieces to their considerable collection of morbid memories.

They were swept in a three-game series at home by Houston for the first time in its 31-year history.

And the Dodgers finished their 81-game home schedule with 37 victories, fewest in a full season in Los Angeles history.

The Astros won, 4-2, before a crowd of 32,596 that was not afraid to boo simply because it was Fan Appreciation Day.

And all of this occurred one day after the Dodgers clinched a last-place finish for the first time since 1905.

The Astros completed the sweep, despite starting three pitchers with a combined record of 4-19. Shane Reynolds got his first major league victory Sunday after the Astros mounted a three-run rally in the fifth inning.

“This is special,” said Art Howe, Astro manager. “For our young team, to do something that hasn’t been done before, it’s a big boost.”

The dismal season made for bad business as the Dodgers attracted only 2,473,266 for 77 dates. It is the lowest full-season attendance at Dodger Stadium since 1976.

Still, there was one highlight Sunday. Mitch Webster’s 16th pinch hit set a Los Angeles record, and tied a franchise record set by Sid Gautreaux in 1936. The old Los Angeles record was shared by Manny Mota and Ed Goodson.