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1985 Hall of Fame Game

Part of the HALL OF FAME GAME series

Back-to-back home runs in the top of the 10th inning propelled the Houston Astros to a 5-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the 42nd Hall of Fame Game on July 29, 1985, at Doubleday Field.

The win was the National League’s 16th of the series compared to 23 for the American League. Three Hall of Fame Games had ended in ties.

Boston starter Roger Clemens allowed just one run on three hits in his five-inning stint. He struck out three without walking a batter.

But the Astros touched up reliever Tom McCarthy for four runs on 10 hits in the final three innings of the game.

Down 3-1 in the top of the ninth, the Astros scored a run before the Red Sox could record an out. Tim Tolman singled and moved to second when Glenn Davis walked. A Chris Jones single scored Tolman to bring Houston within one run.

Third baseman German Rivera then hit a two-out single to tie the game at three.

Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox players warming up on Doubleday Field prior to the Hall of Fame Game on July 29, 1985. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

  • Red Sox first base coach Joe Morgan takes in the view at Doubleday Field at the 1985 Hall of Fame Game. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

    Red Sox first base coach Joe Morgan takes in the view at Doubleday Field at the 1985 Hall of Fame Game. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

  • Jose Cruz of the Astros takes a swing during the Home Run Derby at the 1985 Hall of Fame Game. (Tom Ryder/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

    Jose Cruz of the Astros takes a swing during the Home Run Derby at the 1985 Hall of Fame Game. (Tom Ryder/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

In the bottom of the ninth, Red Sox’s center fielder Steve Lyons almost hit his second home run of the day to give his team a walk-off win, but was robbed by Houston right fielder Denny Walling – sending the game to extra innings.

Phil Garner hit the go-ahead home run for the Astros in the top of the 10th, and teammate Harry Spilman followed with another solo shot to give the Astros a two-run lead.

Jones and Rivera had three hits apiece for the Astros, accounting for six of Houston’s 14 hits. For Boston, Lyons, Mike Easler and Ed Jurak each had two hits, and Lyons had two of the Red Sox’s three RBI.

Houston pitchers Mike Madden and Charlie Kerfeld combined for 16 strikeouts without walking a batter, with Kerfeld picking up the win.

Vice President George H. W. Bush shakes hands with Marc Sullivan of the Red Sox prior to the 1985 Hall of Fame Game. (Courtesy of The White House)

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Part of the HALL OF FAME GAME series