On September 8, 2008 — At Minute Maid Park, Houston Astros Mark Saccomanno becomes the 20th player to homer on the first pitch he sees in the major leagues. Saccomanno, a life-long fan of the team just called up a few hours before the start of the game, Saccomanno pinch-hits for fellow September call-up Alberto Arias in the 5th inning of a scoreless game and smacks a fastball from Pittsburgh Pirates Ian Snell into the right field stands. The 28 year-old Houston native, who will not connect for another round-tripper in his career, is the first to accomplish the feat as a pinch-hitter, and he becomes the fourth player in franchise history to homer in his initial big league at-bat.