another win, another hit, no plunk

Eight players got hit by pitches in Major League play last night, but none of them were in the 8th Astros/Reds game of the season. Craig Biggio did extend his hitting streak to 8 games, and tied Carl Yastrzemski on the all time doubles list, at number 8 all time. Astros win, 3-2.

Houston will finish up their series in Cincinnati this afternoon against starter Aaron Harang, but Phil Garner's trend has been to give Biggio a rest from the starting lineup in day games. So, Harang might not get a chance to become the 213th pitcher to plunk Biggio. This policy of resting Biggio during day games is really hurting the chase for 288, because through 2006, Biggio averaged 1 plunk per 34.2 plate appearance during day games, compared to 1 per 46.4 plate appearances in night games.

Steve Woodward plunked Biggio during a day game on May 10, 1998, but Rick Helling and (current Astro) Brian Moehler hit him in night games on May 10, 1997 and May 10, 2005.