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Taylor Buchholz gets his first big league win and The Astros’ all-time franchise record climbs above .500 for the first time since early 1962. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

2006 – Taylor Buchholz gets his first big league win, blanking the Pirates, 3-0. Buchholz has a one-hitter with one out to go before an error and a single causes Manager Phil Garner to bring Brad Lidge in to get the final out. Craig Biggio scores all three runs using a single, a double and a homer. The Astros’ all-time franchise record climbs above .500 for the first time since early 1962. 

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2006 – Craig Biggio adds to his illustrious credentials in a 6-5 triumph over the Marlins. His first-inning double gives him 606 in his career to become tenth all-time in that category. Later, he scores his 1700th run, 24th all-time in that department. He is two hits shy of the 2800 plateau. Lance Berkman and Preston Wilson supply the muscle with two-run homers to support Wandy Rodriguez. 

ByTom

2006 – Craig Biggio adds to his illustrious credentials in a 6-5 triumph over the Marlins. His first-inning double gives him 606 in his career to become tenth all-time in that category. Later, he scores his 1700th run, 24th all-time in that department. He is two hits shy of the 2800 plateau. Lance Berkman and Preston Wilson supply the muscle with two-run homers to support Wandy Rodriguez. 

Craig Biggio becomes 13th player to reach 600 doubles in his career
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Craig Biggio becomes 13th player to reach 600 doubles in his career

ByTom

2005 – It’s another milestone moment for Craig Biggio. With a two-run double to right in the second, Biggio becomes the 13th major leaguer to reach 600 doubles in his career. He’s the first player in big league history to combine 600 doubles, 2700 hits, 250 homers and 400 steals. His three hits give him 2777, passing Andre Dawson for 43rd on the all-time list. Meanwhile, Andy Pettitte notches his 15th win and Brad Lidge claims his 36th save in a 7-5 triumph at Milwaukee to stay a half-game ahead of Florida in the wild card race. 

Craig Biggio blasts a dramatic three-run homer off ex-Astro Billy Wagner with two outs in the ninth to stun the Phillies, 8-6
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Craig Biggio blasts a dramatic three-run homer off ex-Astro Billy Wagner with two outs in the ninth to stun the Phillies, 8-6

ByTom

2005 – Craig Biggio blasts a dramatic three-run homer off ex-Astro Billy Wagner with two outs in the ninth to stun the Phillies, 8-6. Lance Berkman and Mike Lamb had previously gone deep. It’s the second night in a row the Astros tag their former closer for the winning run, extending Houston’s mastery over Philadelphia to 12 straight, not having lost to them since May of 2003. The Astros maintain a one-game lead over Florida in the wild card chase. 

2005 – Houston drills Colorado, 7-1, as Roy Oswalt wins his 10th of the year. Morgan Ensberg blasts his 20th homer and Jason Lane belts his 13th. But the day’s headline belongs to Craig Biggio who is hit in the elbow by Byung-Hyun Kim to claim the modern day career record for being hit by a pitch. It’s his 268th plunking, passing Don Baylor. He’s third on the all-time list. Biggio thanks the Rockies with a solo homer his next time up. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

2005 – Houston drills Colorado, 7-1, as Roy Oswalt wins his 10th of the year. Morgan Ensberg blasts his 20th homer and Jason Lane belts his 13th. But the day’s headline belongs to Craig Biggio who is hit in the elbow by Byung-Hyun Kim to claim the modern day career record for being hit by a pitch. It’s his 268th plunking, passing Don Baylor. He’s third on the all-time list. Biggio thanks the Rockies with a solo homer his next time up. 

Craig Biggio

Craig Biggio drives in 1000th run – second Astro in history to accomplish this

ByThis Day in Baseball

2005 – Back-to-back homers by Adam Everett and Craig Biggio in the first pace the Astros over Ben Sheets and the Brewers, 6-1. Biggio drives in himself for the 1,000th RBI of his career, the second Astro to achieve that many in a Houston uniform. Later, he swipes third for his 399th career steal. Roy Oswalt tosses a complete-game four-hitter while Everett enjoys a three-hit night. 

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Craig Biggio pops his first postseason home run  and Houston leads Atlanta, 5-2, in Game Four of the N.L.D.S.

ByTom

2004 – Craig Biggio pops his first postseason home run  and Houston leads Atlanta, 5-2, in Game Four of the N.L.D.S. with a chance to advance. Then Chad Qualls gives up a three-run homer to Adam Laroche and the Braves push across the winning run in the ninth to steal a 6-5 verdict and fly back to Atlanta for a decisive fifth game. Jeff Kent rolls into a double play with two men on in the bottom of the ninth to end a painful day – made worse by the news of ex-teammate Ken Caminiti’s death in New York at age 41. 

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2004 – Craig Biggio spanks a leadoff single for his 2,500th career hit.  He celebrates by launching solo homers in his next two at bats. But he strikes out in a key ninth-inning situation and the bullpen melts down in a 5-4 ten-inning loss in Atlanta. Andruw Jones’ blast off Ricky Stone is the game-winner. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

2004 – Craig Biggio spanks a leadoff single for his 2,500th career hit.  He celebrates by launching solo homers in his next two at bats. But he strikes out in a key ninth-inning situation and the bullpen melts down in a 5-4 ten-inning loss in Atlanta. Andruw Jones’ blast off Ricky Stone is the game-winner. 

Brandon Backe becomes the third pitcher in Astro history to strike out the side on nine pitches

Brandon Backe becomes the third pitcher in Astro history to strike out the side on nine pitches

ByThis Day in Baseball

2004 – Despite a 6-2 loss to Milwaukee, reliever Brandon Backe becomes the third pitcher in franchise history to strike out the side on nine pitches. He whiffs Bill Hall, Scott Podsednik and Craig Counsell in order after having fanned Chad Moeller to end the previous frame. Craig Biggio swats the 35th leadoff homer of his career, an NL record. 

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2003 – Craig Biggio singles home the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth, completing a five-run rally that stuns Colorado, 8-7. Four straight singles and a double by Orlando Merced set the stage for Biggio’s heroics. Billy Wagner is the surprise winner. 

ByTom

2003 – Craig Biggio singles home the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth, completing a five-run rally that stuns Colorado, 8-7. Four straight singles and a double by Orlando Merced set the stage for Biggio’s heroics. Billy Wagner is the surprise winner.