"Given that Jorge Cantu's longest previous hitting streak was 13 games, the third baseman was more than a little charged up over his 18-game streak, which he took into Wednesday's contest against the Astros.

``I take a lot of pride in that,'' Cantu said. ``I want to put solid contact on the ball every single at bat and whatever happens, happens.''

Cantu's 18-game streak equals the seventh-longest streak by a Marlins batter and is the longest since Kevin Millar put together a 25-game run in 2002. The club record is held by Luis Castillo, who had a 35-game streak during the '02 season.

A 25-member contingent of Cantu's friends and family members were on hand Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Cantu lives in McAllen, Texas, and also has family in Mexico, and they made the five-hour drive to Houston to see him play.

``I'm in the middle of something nice for them to witness,'' he said.

Cantu said his father, a cattleman in Mexico, knew nothing about baseball until his son turned professional. Now, Cantu said, his father can recite player statistics and team records like an expert."