Astros’ Biggio is the 27th player to reach 3,000 hits in career

HOUSTON (AP) — Craig Biggio became the 27th player to reach 3,000 career hits on Thursday night with a single to center field in the seventh inning.

The Astros second baseman was thrown out trying to stretch the play into a double on his third hit of the night against the Rockies.

Biggio is the first player in two seasons to reach 3,000 hits. Rafael Palmeiro reached it on July 15, 2005, with Baltimore.

The 41-year-old, who entered the season needing 70 hits to reach the milestone, has played his entire 20-year career with the Astros, making him the longest tenured player in franchise history.

He is tied for 26th on the career hit list with Roberto Clemente.

The sellout crowd stood and chanted ’Bi-ggi-o’ at each bat and cameras twinkled with each pitch. Fans held signs that read ’Mr. 3,000’ and ’Biggio’s Hit Parade.’ One woman wore an orange shirt with that featured block letters that read ’Biggio’ and ’3,000.’

His 3,000th hit came one day shy of the 19th anniversary of his first career hit, a single off Orel Hershiser on June 29, 1988.