NewsAbreu doubles for hit No. 2,000
Milestone comes against Tigers rookie Porcello
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
06/07/09 1:37 PM ET
DETROIT -- Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu didn't wait long to join Major League Baseball's 2,000-hit club on Sunday at Comerica Park.Following Chone Figgins' leadoff homer to right against Rick Porcello, Abreu doubled the other way to left for hit No. 2,000. He later scored on Juan Rivera's sixth homer.
It was fitting that Abreu's milestone hit would be a double. His 11th two-base hit of the season pushed his career total to 465. He has had 35 or more doubles for 10 consecutive seasons.
Abreu had doubled home a run in his first at-bat on Saturday night against Tigers starter Edwin Jackson, following Figgins' leadoff single in the first inning.
Abreu, who came into Sunday's game batting .294, is a .300 career hitter with .405 on-base and .495 slugging percentages lifetime.
The Angels, who signed Abreu to a free-agent contract in February, are his fourth Major League organization. He broke in with the Astros in 1996, going to the Phillies two years later. Midway through his ninth season in Philadelphia in 2006, he was traded to the Yankees, where he played through 2008.
A native of Aragua, Venezuela, who now calls Maracay home, Abreu is 35. He has missed only four games this season, putting him in line to tie Cal Ripken Jr., Pete Rose and Billy Williams with 12 consecutive seasons playing at least 150 games. Willie Mays, with 13 straight, holds the record.
Since 1999, Abreu has more walks -- 1,084 -- than any active player. He has stolen 15 bases this season without being caught.
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
