This Day In Astros History: April 28, 2007

On this day four yeasr ago, Hunter Pence made his major league debut in the 10-1 victory over Milwaukee at Minute Maid Park.

Pence went 1 for 3 and was hit by a pitch to kick off his career in the big leagues. The Astros broke this game open in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring nine runs in those two frames.

Chris Sampson got the victory for Houston, tossing 6 1/3 inning while allowing five hits, one run, two walks and striking out eight. Brad Lidge came in and pitched 1 2/3 innings, striking out three before giving over to Trever Miller, who finished the game with a scoreless ninth.

No home runs in this one for Houston, but a multitude of guys did have multiple hits. Mark Loretta, Lance Berkman, Adam Everett and Brad Ausmus each had at least two hits while Craig Biggio drove in three runs. You'll really be surprised by this next bit, but Carlos Lee was 1 for 4 and grounded into a double play.

In Pence's first career at-bat, he struck out looking against David Bush. To his credit, he did work a full count before striking out. No word on whether the final pitch was a slider down and away. Pence led off the fifth inning and was hit by a pitch. Everett hit into a fielder's choice, erasing Pence at second and preventing him from scoring his first carer run three batters later when Mark Loretta hit a single with the bases loaded.

Pence picked up his first hit in the bottom of the sixth on a line drive to short right field. That also pushed Luke Scott to third base with one out. Pence scored one batter later with Scott when Everett doubled down the line to left field. In his final at-bat of the game, Pence grounded out weakly to short on the first pitch he saw from Elmer Dessens.