282 in the books, but win streak ended

Chuck James became the 57th left hander to plunk Biggio last night. He also became the first pitcher to plunk Biggio as the leadoff batter of the second inning since Danny Jackson, on June 27, 1995. Plunk 282 was also the first time Biggio was plunked while he was batting 6th in the batting order, which means the only batting order slot he has never been plunked while batting in is the 4th. His first HBP as the number 9 hitter came on plunk 275 this season, in a pinch-hit-by-pitch appearance.
But, despite Biggio's HBP and a later home run, the Astros win streak was ended with a 4-1 loss - the 47th game of Biggio's career in which he scored all the Astros runs. It was only the 4th time he got hit by a pitch and also scored all the Astros runs.

Despite the loss last night, the Astros are still alive in the division race. Tonight they'll be facing Atlanta starter Lance Cormier, who has never plunked Biggio. Cormier has 9 carer hit-batters in 193 innings pitcher. Biggio has never been hit by a pitch on September 30th.

Tomorrow the Astros face Braves veteran John Smoltz. Smoltz is sitting on 49 career hit-batters, so he could be waiting for Biggio to come along to throw number 50. Smoltz plunked Biggio on July 27, 1992, so if he does it again on Sunday it will be the longest gap for any pitcher between to plunkings of Biggio. Salomon Torres currently holds the record, for plunking Biggio on September 21, 1993, and not again until May 12, 2003. Biggio has never been plunked on October 1st.