Red-Hot Astros Club Returns for Seven Game Homestand this Week

HOUSTON, TX - The upcoming homestand for the Astros, who are currently in first place in the AL West, will feature two more division opponents as they host the Seattle Mariners from Thursday, April 28 through Sunday, May 3 and the Texas Rangers from Monday, May 4 to Wednesday, May 6. The Astros are currently one of the hottest clubs in the Majors, having won four straight and eight of their last nine games. The homestand will also include a special bobblehead giveaway of Astros superstar Jose Altuve on Saturday, as well as the return of the popular Dog Day celebration on Sunday, which includes the chance for fans to bring their dogs onto the field. 

Thursday, April 30 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Seattle
The Astros and MLB have partnered with Head & Shoulders to raise money for local RBI programs through their "Season of the #Whiff" campaign on Twitter. The team with the most #Whiff tweets, including retweets, will earn a donation for their local RBI league, and the top monthly winner will earn a $10,000 donation. Fans can participate and help raise money for the Astros RBI program by including #Whiff and @Astros in their tweets or retweets, with a 27 tweet limit per Twitter handle. 

Every Thursday night home game is Budweiser Young Professionals Night at the ballpark. Connect with other young professionals from around Houston while enjoying an extended happy hour on the Bud Patio from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Tickets include a Bullpen Box ticket with $15 in loaded value to spend at the team store or on concessions. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/youngprofessionals.

Friday, May 1 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Seattle

Former Heisman Trophy winner and University of Texas Longhorn Ricky Williams, who played parts of four seasons of minor league baseball, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Friday's 7:10 p.m. contest. 

The Astros will also be recognizing the inaugural Blue Star Award winner, Fondren Middle School, in an on-field pregame ceremony. As the Blue Star Award winner, Fondren Middle School received a $5,000 cash award from Capital One Bank earlier this week, and the Houston Astros provided tickets for the entire student body and staff to attend Friday's game. Representatives from the Houston Astros and Capital One Bank as well Officer of Leadership Development for HISD Alan Hooker and Principal of Fondren Middle School Monique Lewis will participate in the pregame ceremony to celebrate this accomplishment.

Big and Bright Friday Night returns with a postgame Friday Night Fireworks show, presented by Marathon Oil Corporation, following the conclusion of the game vs. the Seattle Mariners. This week's show features a Disco themed fireworks display. 

Every Friday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. is St. Arnold Happy Hour, featuring $5.25, 12-ounce beers at the St. Arnold's Bar in left field. This Friday's Happy Hour will also feature live music by The Wayward Sons. 

Also on Fridays, the Budweiser Patio serves Budweiser Day Fresh Draught, kegged and delivered the same day. 

Saturday, May 2 - 6:10 p.m. vs. Seattle

On Saturday, 10,000 fans will receive the highly-anticipated Jose Altuve "hit counter" bobblehead, presented by Goya. The bobblehead will feature Altuve holding a silver bat in honor of his 2014 AL Silver Slugger Award and batting title, and will also have a moveable hit counter in the base of the bobblehead so fans can keep track of Altuve's hits all season long. In 2014, Altuve led the Majors in hits with a club-record 225.

Sunday, May 3 - 1:10 p.m. vs. Seattle

Bring the family's favorite canine to Dog Day at Minute Maid Park, presented by Heritage Ranch by H-E-B, on Sunday before the Astros close out a four-game series with the division rival Seattle Mariners at 1:10 p.m. Activities will include a dog zone, vendor expo, a Pooch Parade around the warning track on the field, the Houston PetTalk Magazine costume contest and more. Gates will open early at 10:45 a.m. for the day's special event.

This Sunday is also Kroger Family Sunday, where kids ages 5-14 can run the bases, and Astros Buddies get front-of-the-line access. For Kroger Family Sunday tickets, please visit www.astros.com/tickets or by calling 1-877-9ASTROS.

In a continuing effort to spread the message about skin cancer prevention and detection, MLB's Plan Sun Smart program shares important tips for fans as they enjoy baseball at MLB parks and also while playing the game themselves, including applying sun screen and wearing a hat and sunglasses whenever they are outdoors. In support of this effort, two Astros Urban Youth Academy participants will deliver sunscreen to each dugout prior to the start of Sunday's contest. To learn more and get tips to protect yourself and your loved ones, go to PlaySunSmart.org

Monday, May 4 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Texas

Monday kicks off the Astros first Lone Star Series, presented by Montejo. 

Monday also marks the 40th anniversary of Major League Baseball's 1 millionth run, scored by Astros legend Bob Watson, on May 4, 1975. The Astros will host a special ceremony prior to the game recognizing this milestone, with Watson taking part. Watson enjoyed a prolific career in the Majors, playing for the Astros from his ML debut on September 9, 1966-1979. After retiring as a player and coaching for the Oakland A's, Watson was named the general manager of the Astros in 1993, becoming the second African-American GM in Major League history. He later became the first African-American GM to win a World Series Championship with the New York Yankees in 1996. 

Bob Watson will be available to the media at 6 p.m. in the press conference room. 

Wednesday, May 6 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Texas

Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez and Texas knockout artist James Kirkland will throw out ceremonial first pitches before Wednesday's 7:10 p.m. matchup between the Astros and the Rangers. Both fighters will be available to the media on the field at 6:30 p.m. 

Canelo and Kirkland will match up against one another on Saturday, May 9 in Minute Maid Park's very first live boxing event, which will also air live on HBO at 8:00 p.m. CT. The 12-round super welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions, SMS Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m, with undercard fights beginning at 11:10 a.m. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. on May 9.

Every Wednesday night home game is $1 Hot Dog Night, where fans can purchase an unlimited number of Nolan Ryan Beef hot dogs at $1 each while supplies last (limit of four per person per concession visit).

-Astros-