29 runs without benefit of a plunk?

The Astros had an interesting weekend - Saturday they won a pitchers duel between the pitcher with the most wins in the past 5 years (Roy Oswalt - 94-50 since 2002) and the pitcher with the most wins in the past 20 years (Greg Maddux - 338-207 since 1987). The Astros won that duel 3-1, but the bats of both teams took over on Sunday in an 18-11 Padres win. But more importantly, Craig Biggio didn't get hit by any pitches.

The Astros are off today, which will most likely mean Craig Biggio will not be hit by a pitch. Although, if he's going to become the first player in major league history to get hit by 288 pitches, why not become the first player in major league history to record an HBP on an off-day? The Astros will be visiting Atlanta starting tomorrow.

Mike LaCoss plunked Biggio on July 30, 1989, and Hector Carrasco hit him on July 30, 1996. Last year, Miguel Batista plunked Biggio on July 30th.

And, this is a clever piece of marketing.