Biggio’s No. 7 retired

The Houston Astros retired Craig Biggio’s No. 7 before Sunday’s game against Arizona, and the seven-time All-Star waved to fans and touched his heart during a lively ceremony.

Biggio retired in 2007 after becoming the 27th player to reach 3,000 hits. He is Houston’s career leader in seasons played (20), at-bats (10,876), hits (3,060), extra-base hits (1,014), doubles (668) and runs (1,844).

“To have your number retired, it’s one of the greatest things that could ever happen to you,” he said. “I knew the significance of it. I haven’t been this nervous in a long time.”

Biggio is the only player to reach 600 doubles, 250 home runs (291), 3,000 hits and 400 stolen bases (414).

Camden approaching 50 million

Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore will greet its 50 millionth fan on Monday or Tuesday night. Built 17 years ago, no other stadium in the history of baseball has reached the milestone so quickly.

The ballpark is 43,290 fans shy of totaling 50 million. Baltimore could draw a crowd of that size Monday night against Boston; if not, the mark will certainly be eclipsed Tuesday.

The Orioles have no way of determining exactly who the 50 millionth fan will be, but they will make an educated guess. The chosen fan will receive $50,000, two season tickets for five years and a commemorative jersey.

Clearing the bases

The New York Mets acquired durable right-hander Luis Ayala from the Washington Nationals for a player to be named. Considered a reliable reliever for the first four years of his career, Ayala has dipped to 1-8 with a 5.77 ERA this season. … Injured slugger Hideki Matsui is back with the New York Yankees and is likely to be activated Tuesday.