Call him Mr. 3,000.

Craig Biggio secured career hits 2,998, 2,999 and 3,000 Thursday night at Minute Maid Park. And for good measure he also knocked hits 3,001 and 3,002 including an 11th inning single that started a rally that saw the Astros win the game 8-5 after Carlos Lee slammed a walk-off grand slam - with Biggio at third - to cap a magical night at the Juice Box.

Biggio went 5-for-6 Thursday, but it was a base hit in the 7^th inning that put Biggio among just 27 Major League Players who have had 3,000 career hits.

After grounding out in his first at bat in the opening inning, Biggio got a knock to centerfield in the 3^rd inning to come within two hits of the career milestone.

He got No. 2,999 in the fifth when third baseman Garrett Atkins back-handed a ball and threw wildly to first. After careful review, the official scorer called it a hit.

His 3,000 career hit came in the 7^th inning. Biggio tried to turn the base knock into a double, but was thrown out at second base.

Not only did he get the milestone hit, but the base knock also tied the game at 1-1.

Biggio is the first player in two seasons to reach 3,000 hits.

Rafael Palmeiro reached it on July 15, 2005, with Baltimore.

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.

He is now 26^th on the career hit list one spot better than Roberto Clemente.

The sellout crowd stood and chanted ‘Bi-ggi-o’ at each bat and cameras twinkled with each pitch. Fans held signs that read ‘Mr. 3,000’ and ‘Biggio’s Hit Parade.’ One woman wore an orange shirt with that featured block letters that read ‘Biggio’ and ‘3,000.’

His 3,000^th hit came one day shy of the 19^th anniversary of his first career hit, a single off Orel Hershiser on June 29, 1988.

Fireworks went off, the counter in left-center field with red illuminated numbers ticked to 3,000 and a giant banner with his picture and 3,000 that spanned from the train track to the roof of the stadium was unveiled after the hit.

Everyone on the team, including those in the bullpen, stormed the field to congratulate Biggio. His wife Patty, sons Conor and Cavan, and daughter Quinn also joined in the celebration. His sons were in the dugout acting as bat boys.

He kissed his wife and held his 7-year-old daughter in the air.

He went to the dugout and hugged everyone while the crowd

continued to go wild. Biggio then pulled Jeff Bagwell out of the dugout and returned with him to the field, where they stood arm and arm. Biggio and Bagwell played together for 15 seasons before Bagwell retired in December.

Biggio 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).

He said before the game he was glad to have the chance to reach the mark at home.

“The fans are excited and they deserve to have this happen and I’m going to do my part to make it happen,” Biggio said.

He reflected on his career and the importance of reaching the milestone before Thursday’s game.

“I’ve been very grateful and blessed to be in the situation where I’m at now and to play one of the greatest games in the world for 20 years,” he said. “This is very, very special.”

Astros general manager Tim Purpura said the team plans to honor Biggio in August for reaching the mark. Barry Bonds is the next closest player to 3,000 hits. The San Francisco Giants slugger is 70 hits away and needs seven home runs to pass Hank Aaron on the career list.

“He’s a great player,” Bonds said of Biggio. “He’s always been good, ever since I’ve watched him play. He’s phenomenal. I would love the opportunity to play with him. Leadoff hitters don’t come around that often.”

AP

Craig Biggio connects for his 3,000th hit Thursday night at home.

During his two decades with the Astros, Biggio has become known in the city as much for his charitable work as he has for his play.  He has been the national spokesman for the Sunshine Kids Foundation, which helps children with cancer, for more than a decade.

He hosts an annual party for the patients at Minute Maid Park and puts on a golf tournament each year to raise money for the foundation. Sunshine Kids officials estimate that the tournament has raised more than $1 million for the cause.