Biggio 27th to 3,000 hits

HOUSTON – 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 Colorado. Biggio singled in the 11th, tying a career high with his fifth hit.

Biggio is the first player in two seasons to reach 3,000 hits. Rafael Palmeiro was the last.

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.

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.

He is the only player in major league history to have at least 600 doubles (658), 250 home runs (286), 3,000 hits and 400 stolen bases (413).