Astros’ Biggio slams Dodgers

HOUSTON — The first time the fans at Minute Maid Park rose to their feet and chanted Craig Biggio’s name, they did so out of sentimentality. The repetition of that gesture was brought on by something more visible, a sixth-inning grand slam by the 20-year veteran that was the difference in the Dodgers’ 7-4 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

For Biggio, who earlier in the day declared his intention to retire at the end of the season, the home run against reliever Rudy Seanez put the finishing touches on what he called “a special, special night.”

“I didn’t even feel like I was touching the bases at times,” Biggio said. “It was a magical, magical day. I topped it off with an incredible ending.”

The seven-time All-Star, who spent his entire career with the Astros, was serenaded with applause as he rounded the bases. The call of the crowd didn’t cease when he disappeared into the dugout, prompting him to re-emerge with his helmet raised high over his head.

Biggio had received a similar ovation when he stepped into the batter’s box in the first inning. He stepped out, raised his helmet, then, turning to the crowd, put it over his heart.

“It was a special day for him,” Dodgers Manager Grady Little said. “We have a lot of respect for what he’s done in his career and what he did today. He’s made the difference in a lot of games throughout his career.”

Biggio’s former teammates on the Dodgers were gracious in defeat.

“I’m not happy for him, but I’m proud for him,” said Jeff Kent, who spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons in Houston. “I’m just proud for him because I know the sacrifices he had to make to be a good player.”

Luis Gonzalez, who played in Houston from 1990 to 1995 and also in 1997, expressed similar feelings.

“He’s done a lot for this organization and for this city,” said Gonzalez, who attended Biggio’s news conference announcing his move. “I think in this day and age when you think of the Astros, you’ll think of him and [Jeff] Bagwell.”

The home run was almost as troublesome to Seanez as it was special to Biggio. It was the fifth given up by Seanez in a six-outing span over which his earned-run average inflated from 2.98 to 4.21.

Seanez (6-2) took over with the Dodgers leading, 3-1, replacing Mark Hendrickson, who gave up one run in the first five innings but was removed after letting the first two batters of the sixth inning reach base. Seanez gave up a two-run double to Morgan Ensberg, then loaded the bases with two walks.

Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt visited the mound, but Biggio crushed Seanez’s next pitch to put the Astros ahead, 7-3.

“I don’t know what he told him, but I hope he doesn’t tell him that anymore,” Little said jokingly of Honeycutt’s chat with Seanez.

So what did Honeycutt say?

“Throw it and see how far he can hit it,” Honeycutt said.

In a more serious moment, Honeycutt said there was nothing wrong with Seanez other than that he was occasionally making bad pitches.

The chasing of bad pitches is what Little blamed for the Dodgers getting only three hits and one run over the last seven innings. Jason Jennings (2-6), who spotted the Dodgers three runs in the second inning but nothing else, ended a five-game losing streak.

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