When Going Gets Tough, Astros Get Hampton

The Houston Astros turned to pitcher Mike Hampton twice down the stretch this season when things got tight and embarrassment loomed.

The left-hander reveled in the pressure, delivering two key victories that helped the Astros overcome the surprising Cincinnati Reds’ late-season challenge in the National League Central Division.

Behind Hampton’s outstanding outing in the regular-season finale, Houston clinched its third consecutive division title. And Hampton may have earned the NL Cy Young Award in the process.

Hampton returns to the Astrodome mound today in Game 3 of the division series, facing big-time pressure again. The best-of-five series is tied, 1-1, and the Astros need their new ace to provide something special.

“He’s our guy right now,” Houston Manager Larry Dierker said. “We have three good starters, and we have a lot of confidence in them.

“But if you ask the guys we’re running out there right now [the everyday players], they probably feel the most comfortable with him. They all have that same feeling.”

Hampton earned their trust during a record-setting season.

He had his first 20-victory season, going 22-4 with a 2.90 earned-run average. Hampton struck out 177 in 239 innings, establishing personal bests in every category.

Moreover, Hampton set a single-season franchise mark for victories while leading the major leagues with an .846 winning percentage. Joe Niekro had 21 victories in 1979.

“It’s not often that we get to see a [leading] Cy Young candidate pitching against us,” Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones said of his hunting-and-fishing buddy Hampton. “Usually, those guys are always on our side.”

In August, many thought Arizona Diamondback left-hander Randy Johnson had secured the needed Cy Young votes from the Baseball Writers Assn. Then Hampton had an 11-game winning streak--longest in the majors this season--and those two clutch performances in the final week with a playoff berth at stake, and now the balloting is expected to be close.

The payroll-constrained Reds held a one-game lead in the division on Sept. 28 after defeating the Astros in the first game of a two-game series at the Astrodome. The Astros, Reds and New York Mets were contending for the final two playoff invitations, and Houston faced missing the party after being the overwhelming Central preseason favorite.

Hampton started the final game against the Reds on Sept. 29. With a victory, the Reds would have held a two-game advantage with three to play.

Hampton took charge.

He gave up only seven hits and one run in eight innings and struck out eight. The Astros won, 4-1, and began their final series against the Dodgers tied atop the division.

They dropped the opener to the Dodgers, but the Reds also lost to the Milwaukee Brewers to preserve the deadlock. Right-hander Jose Lima pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory in the second game and the Reds lost to the Brewers, putting the Astros one ahead with one to play.

Hampton worked on three’ days rest with many playoff scenarios possible, but this much certain: A victory gave the Astros the title.

In another superb effort, Hampton gave up three hits and one run in seven innings during the Astros’ 9-4 victory. He had another eight strikeouts while pitching at least seven innings for the 28th time in 34 starts.

That’s what the Astros needed, and that’s what Hampton provided.

“Pressure situations, you want to thrive in them,” said Hampton, 0-1 in his previous two division-series starts. “It’s easy to get up for those types of games, and if you do well, you look great.

“If not, you know, you look like a guy who has choked. It’s definitely a double-edged sword, but those are the games you want to be in. Those are the ones that test your character and test your ability, and everything is on the line. Those are the situations you dream about.”

Like many young starters, Hampton, 27, experienced a breakthrough season because of a breakthrough mentally.

“In baseball, especially my experience in pitching, confidence is the biggest factor,” said Hampton, whose previous career high was 15 victories in 1997. “You’ve got to have confidence in getting people out and confidence in your abilities of being out on the mound and knowing you’re going to give your team a chance to win each game.

“And every time out, you’re going to start getting to the point where you become a better pitcher. So it basically comes down to knowing your ability. It comes down to learning throughout the years of what hitters like to do in situations, and pitching smart.”

And working well under pressure helps too.

Mike Hampton Facts

* Team: Houston Astros.

* Position: Starting pitcher, left-hander.

* Age: 27.

* Season highlights: Went 22-4 with a 2.90 earned-run average, setting franchise single-season victory record and leading major leagues with an .846 winning percentage. Had an 11-game winning streak (June 30 through Sept. 13)--longest in the major leagues this season.

* Division series record: 0-1, 5.90 ERA in two starts.