it's a win streak.

The Astros finished off the Cubs series with a 1-0 victory yesterday to extend their winning streak to 2 games, but none of the 13 pitches thrown to Craig Biggio hit him. Today the Atlanta Braves visit Houston for the first of 4 games. John Thomson is the Braves scheduled starter tonight, and he is also the last Atlanta pitcher to hit Craig Biggio with a pitch. On May 7, 2004 Thomson plunked Biggio at Turner Field during a 5-3 Astros win. Thomson has plunked 2 batters this season and 28 in his career.

The Braves have only plunked Biggio 7 times, fewest in the National League, but things may be changing for the Braves with the loss of long time pitching coach Leo Mazzone. The Braves have ranked in the bottom 5 in hit batters for each of the last 11 years, and were dead last in 5 of those season including 2004 and 2005. They only hit 32 batters all last season, but have already hit 24 this season, putting them in a tie for 11th place this season. They're not exactly threatening to suddenly lead the league in hitting batters, but it does appear to be a big increase.

Jose DeLeon and Alan Mills have plunked Biggio on June 8th. DeLeon did so on June 8, 1993, and Mills did it on June 8, 2000.