(Missed this one yesterday...the move is taking over my life...)
On this day, 12 years ago, Lance Berkman picked up the first RBIs of his career as the Astros beat San Diego 5-2 at the Astrodome.
Berkman started in left field in this one as Richard Hidalgo was in center. This was his ninth career game and fifth start as Berkman was called up when Carl Everett went on the disabled list. Big Puma would only get 34 games in the majors this season and still retained his rookie status for 2000.
Interestingly, Berkman not only started in this one, but he also batted cleanup behind Bagwell and in front of Hidalgo. Can you imagine a young player being put in that situation? It's a wonder his confidence wasn't totally shot. Not to mention, what if the other team had brought in a left-hander? (That was directed at you, Brad Mills. You are ridiculous).
Berkman got both of his RBIs in the bottom of the fourth with the Astros up 3-1. Shane Reynolds led off with a flyout before Craig Biggio worked a walk. Billy Spiers singled through the right side and Jeff Bagwell moved both over with a ground ball to shortstop Damian Jackson deep in the hole. Berkman sent a ground ball double up the middle, letting both Biggio and Spiers score.
I know RBIs don't mean much, but it was a milestone for Lancelot, as he would go on to drive in 1,088 more runs for Houston before being traded away last July.
Here's a graphic replay of the game, thanks to Back to Baseball.