June 24: Texas: 3 Hits, 2996 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly

The Houston Astros faced the Texas Rangers in the third game of their series in Arlington. The Rangers took the Silver Boot Trophy last night in their victory over the Astros. This will be the final game the Astros and Rangers will play against each other in 2007. The Rangers are 4-1 this season versus the Astros prior to this game.

The Astros went into the game at 31-43, 11 1/2 game behind the division leading Milwaukee Brewers, while the Rangers were 30-44, 18 games behind the first place Los Angeles Angels.

Craig Biggio lead off the batting order, playing in the designated hitter role.

He went 3 for 5 at the plate in the Astros 12-9 win, raising his career hit total at 2996. He got two RBIs, one walk and one run. He now has only four hits to go.

Again, for the Nth time this season, is how he did at the plate:

1st inning: SINGLE (facing right handed pitcher Robinson Tejeda, 5-7, 6.29 ERA)
1: called strike
2: foul
3: singles on a grounder to second baseman Ian Kinsler.
Current batting average: .234

NOTE #1: Biggio advances to second base on a single by Hunter Pence.

NOTE #2: Biggio scores on a three run homer by Lance Berkman. Astros 3 Rangers 0.

3rd inning: POPS OUT (still facing Tejeda)
1: swinging strike
2: pops out, in foul territory, to first baseman Brad Wilkerson
Current batting average: .234

NOTE #3: Pence tags a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall for a home run. (8th of the season, 1st in Arlington Stadium) Astros 4 Rangers 0.

NOTE #4: Bases are loaded with two outs for Biggio.

4th inning: WALK (still facing Tejada)
1: swinging strike
2: swinging strike
3: ball
4: ball
5: ball
6: ball
Current batting average: .234

NOTE #5: Biggio gets an RBI on the walk as Mark Loretta scores.

NOTE #5: Biggio advances to third on an throwing error by third baseman Ramon Vasquez.

PERSONAL NOTE: The Astros are putting the runs on the board due to Ranger mistakes. Biggio gains one more hit, and by the looks of the next three days, he will get his 3000th hit at home against the Colorado Rockies. I look for him to have a day or two of "rest" in Milwaukee

6th inning: SINGLE (facing left handed pitcher Ron Mahay, 0-0, 2.82 ERA)
1: ball
2: swinging strike
3: singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kenny Lofton.
Current batting average: .236

8th inning: GROUNDS OUT (facing right handed pitcher Joaquin Benoit, 2-2, 3.76 ERA)
1: grounds into a double play, shortstop Michael Young to second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Brad Wilkerson
Current batting average: .236

Note #6: When a Ranger hits a home run, the play the theme song from "The Natural" (the music that is played when Roy Hobbs hit a homer). That is so cool.

Note #7: The Rangers tie the game at 7 all when Frank Catalanotto hits a two run homer off Dan Wheeler.

Note #8: The Astros score two run in the top of the ninth off a double by Mark Loretta. Astros 9 Texas 7.

Note #9: Astros 9 Texas 8 on a homer run by pinch hitter Marlon Byrd off of Wheeler. Ian Kinsler hits another home run off Wheeler to tie the game at 9 all in the bottom fo the 9th inning.

10th inning: DOUBLE (facing left handed pitcher C.J. Wilson, 0-0, 2.02 ERA)
1: foul
2: foul
3: ball
4: doubles on a line drive to left fielder Catanotto; Morgan Ensburg scores
Current batting average: .238

Note # 10: Beeg was name the Player of the Game.

June 23: Texas: 0 Hits, 2993 Career Total

By Chris Price

Craig Biggio got only a single pinch hitting assignment in the Houston Astros 7-2 loss to the Texas Rangers.

He entered the game, replacing shortstop Eric Bruntlett, in the ninth inning.

9th inning: LINES OUT (facing right handed pitcher Eric Gagne, 2-0, 0.45 ERA)
1: ball
2: swinging strike
3: called strike
4: ball
5: foul
6 lines out to third baseman Travis Metcalf.
Current batting average: .232

June 22: Texas: 1 Hit, 2993 Career Total

By Robert H. Kelly

Craig Biggio and the Houston Astros travelled to Arlington to face the Texas Rangers in a three games series to determine who will take possession of the Silver Boot for 2007.

Biggio went 1 for 5 in the 11-4 loss. He now stands 2993.

Number 7 has 7 to go!!!

Beeg is playing the designated hitter role with Chris Burke playing second base.

1st inning: POPS OUT (facing right handed pitcher Kevin Millwood, 3-6, 7.64 ERA)
1: called strike
2: foul
3: ball (in the dirt)
4: pops out to shortstop Michael Young
Current batting average: .232

2nd inning: GROUNDS OUT (still facing Millwood)
1: foul
2: grounds out on a throw from pitcher Kevin Millwood to first baseman Brad Wilkerson
Current batting average: .231

5th inning: SINGLE (still facing Millwood)
1: singles on a line drive to center fielder Kenny Lofton.
Current batting average: .234

6th inning: FLIES OUT (still facing Millwood)
1: flies out to left fielder Frank Catalanotto
Current batting average: .233

9th inning: FLIES OUT (facing right handed pitcher Frank Francisco, 1-0, 4.44 ERA)
1: ball
2: ball
3: ball
4: called strike
5: foul
6: flies out to center fielder Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Current batting average: .232

May 20: Rangers: 0 Hits, 2970 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

The Astros and Rangers faced off in game three of the Lone Star Series. The Astros lost the game by the score of 14-1, with the Rangers taking the series 2-1.

The final three games of the Lone Star Series will occur on June 22-24 when the Astros travel to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in a three game series. The winner of the home and ome series will take possession of the Silver Boot.

Craig Biggio started at second base and led off the batting order. He went 0 for 4 for the afternoon.

He remains at 2970 career hits. His game performance is as follows:

1st inning: FLIES OUT, facing right handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy (3-4, 6.51 ERA)
1: ball
2: flies out to right fielder Victor Diaz
Current batting average: .244

3rd inning: FLIES OUT, still facing McCarthy
1: called strike
2: flies out to center fielder Kenny Lofton
Current batting average: .242

5th inning: FLIES OUT, still facing McCarthy
1: swinging strike
2: flies out to center fielder Kenny Lofton
Current batting average: .241

8th inning: GROUNDS OUT, facing right handed pitcher Wes Littleton (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
1: ball
2: called strike
3: ball
4: ball
5: called strike
6: grounded out on a throw from pitcher Wes Littleton to first baseman Mark Teizeira
Current batting average: .240

Biggio and the Astros now leave on a seven game road trip. They will face the Sam Francisco Giants on May 21-23 (Monday through Wednesday) and the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 24-27 (Thursday through Sunday).

They return to Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, May 29 against the Cincinnati Reds.

May 19: Rangers: 2 Hits, 2970 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly
(the card at the right is the Upper Deck rookie card of Craig Biggio. It is one of my favorite designed cards in the Biggio series)

The Astros and Craig Biggio faced the Texas Rangers in game two of the Lone Star Series and won the game by the score of 6-1. The series now stands at 1-1 to take home the Silver Boot.

Biggio had two hits in four at bats, raising his career hits total to 2970.

Here is how the game went.

1st inning: FLIES OUT, facing left handed pitcher John Koronka (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
1: called strike
2: foul
3: files out to center fielder Kevin Mahar.
Current batting average: .239

3rd inning: HIT, still facing Koronka
1: ball
2: ball
3: singles on a bunt ground ball to thirdbaseman Travis Metcalf.
Current batting average: .244
Total career hits: 2969

4th inning: FLIES OUT, still facing Koronka
1: ball
2: ball
3: flies out to left fielder Nelson Cruz.
Current batting average: .242

6th inning: HIT, facing right handed pitcher Scott Feldman (1-2, 6.35 ERA)
1: called strike
2: ball
3: single on a line drive to right fielder Sammy Sosa.
Current batting average: .247
Total career hits: 2970

8th inning: POPS OUT, facing right handed pitcher Willie Eyre (1-2, 5.02 ERA)
1. ball
2: pops out to second baseman Ian Kinsler.
Current batting average: .245

May 18: Rangers: 2 Hits, 2968 Career Hits

By Robert H. Kelly

WE ARE BACK ON TRACK!!!

I have spend some time after Friday night's game to catch up all my previous posts. Now I will hopefully be on track and keep the posts up to date.

So, with that out of the way, on with the post!!!

I was at the game tonight to watch the Houston Astros play the Texas Rangers in the first game of the Lone Star Series.

Craig Biggio went two for four with one run in the Astros 7-4 loss to the Rangers. He raised his career total to 2968.

Biggio continued to lead off the Astros batting order.

1st inning: Flies Out
1. Ball
2. He flies out to left fielder Nelson Cruz

3rd inning: Flies Out
1. Ball
2. Called Strike
3. Ball
4. He flies out to left fielder Nelson Cruz

6th inning: HIT
1. Ball
2. Swinging strike
3. He singles on a line drive to center fielder Kenny Lofton

8th inning: HIT
1. He doubles on a fly ball to center fielder Kenny Lofton.

NOTE: Biggio's double in the eighth inning was the thirteenth of the season.

Biggio is now at 2968 career hits.

In addition, he was named the Gatorade Player of the Game.

Biggio's current stats are as follows:
38 games
158 at bats
24 runs
38 hits
13 doubles
3 triples
3 home runs
15 RBIs
66 total bases
10 walks
33 strike outs
2 stolen bases
.288 on base percentage
.418 slugging percentage
.241 batting average