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Orbit's birthday celebration to highlight upcoming homestand for record-pacing Astros

Orbit's birthday celebration to include special Mascot brunch and Orbit-face glasses giveaway; homestand to also feature George Springer jersey giveaway

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros, who currently hold the best record in the American League at 30-18 and lead the AL Western Division by six games, return home Friday for a seven-game homestand. The Astros will open play by hosting the Chicago White Sox on Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31. Astros mascot Orbit will also be celebrating his birthday over the weekend with fan giveaways and mascot hijinks. Beginning on Monday, June 1, the Astros will take on the Baltimore Orioles for a four-game series, ending Thursday, June 4.

In light of the recent floods that struck Houston earlier this week, the Astros will be coordinating a relief effort at the ballpark. The details of those plans will be announced in the coming days as they are finalized.

Friday, May 29 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Chicago

Astros mascot Orbit is celebrating his birthday all weekend long at Minute Maid Park, beginning on Friday with an alien-themed fireworks display as part of that night's Big and Bright Friday Night, courtesy of Marathon Oil Corporation. For more information on Orbit's birthday celebration or to buy tickets, please visit www.astros.com/orbitbirthday.

Prior to the fireworks show, the Long Haul Bombers will return to Minute Maid Park to take the field for an impressive Home Run Derby as part of their Stadium Power Tour.

Friday is also Astros Jersey Day presented by Majestic Athletic. National Jersey Day encourages fans to proudly wear their Astros jersey on Friday, May 29 to work, school and all over Houston to celebrate their love for the sport and the Astros. Similar celebrations are scheduled at every Major League ballpark. Additionally, the winner of the Astros Majestic National Jersey Day sweepstakes will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and receive a custom Majestic jersey from the Astros Team Store.

HomeAid Houston's Project Playhouse will be on display at Minute Maid Park at the top of section 105 from Friday, May 29 until Wednesday, July 1. The "Highland Hill County Playhouse" built by Highland Homes, features air conditioning, a flat screen TV/DVD combo, and a kitchenette. Raffle tickets for a chance to win the playhouse will be on sale at the same location. This is the ninth season that the Houston Astros and HomeAid Houston have partnered for Project Playhouse. Money raised from Project Playhouse furthers HomeAid's mission to build new lives for homeless families and individuals through construction and community outreach.

The "Season of the #Whiff" campaign, in partnership with the Astros, MLB and Head & Shoulders, continues to raise money for local RBI programs through 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. The Astros are currently in the top four of MLB teams and will be supporting the initiative strongly for the remainder of the month.

Friday night is also Happy Hour at Minute Maid Park with $5.25 specials at the St. Arnold Bar in left field and Day Fresh Budweiser at the Budweiser Patio. 

Saturday, May 30 - 3:10 p.m. vs. Chicago

Orbit's birthday celebration continues on Saturday with a special Orbit and Friends Birthday Brunch. Fans are invited to join Orbit and his mascot friends for brunch in the FiveSeven Grille from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. before the Astros 3:10 p.m. game vs. the Chicago White Sox. Slider of the Cleveland Indians, Paws of the Detroit Tigers, Sluggerrr of the Kansas City Royals, Billy the Marlin of the Miami Marlins, Clutch of the Houston Rockets, Toro of the Houston Texans and Diesel of the Houston Dynamo are all scheduled to attend Saturday's brunch.

On Saturday, 10,000 fans will receive a George Springer jersey giveaway, courtesy of Houston Methodist. George Springer continues to be one of the most exciting young players in MLB with his high-octane web gems in the outfield and his game-changing power at the plate.

The Houston Astros are hosting families from the Sunshine Kids for their first meet and greet of the season with Astros players and coaches. The meet and greet will be held in the press conference room following Astros batting practice.

Prior to Saturday's contest, the Korean War Veterans Association will be honoring three Gold Star Mothers with a proclamation from the city, declaring May 30 "Gold Star Mother's Day" in Houston. The three gold star mothers, Jewel Aston, Christine St. Michael and Peggy Slay, each lost a son in the line of duty in the Middle East conflict. The Korean War Veterans Association will also present the nation's colors, in addition to having members in attendance for the game.

Sunday, May 31 - 1:10 p.m. vs. Chicago

The final giveaway for Orbit's birthday celebration weekend is a pair of Orbit-face glasses for 10,000 fans, presented by The Smile Generation. Orbit and his mascot friends will be available for a pregame photo session on the main concourse from 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m., and will be introduced on the field in a special pregame ceremony prior to that day's series finale against the Chicago White Sox.

The Houston Astros and Major League Baseball's Pitch, Hit & Run program, presented by Scotts, will take place on Sunday, May 31 at Minute Maid Park, prior to that afternoon's 1:10 p.m. game. Scotts is proud to be the presenting sponsor of MLB's Pitch, Hit and Run program and is committed to providing safe, reliable fields for our youth and their communities. This spring, over 600,000 children participated nationwide in Major League Baseball's free Pitch, Hit & Run program. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, the top 12 male and top 12 female qualifiers from Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi will compete on the field at Minute Maid Park in hopes of advancing to the National Finals at the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Cincinnati, OH. The 2015 National Finalists will be announced live on MLB Network on June 28th.

Bring the whole family out to Minute Maid Park this Sunday with a Kroger Family 4-Pack. The options include four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a Lot C Parking Pass. This Sunday is also Kroger Family Sunday. Kids ages 5-14 can run the bases and Astros Buddies get front-of-the-line access. For Kroger Family Sunday or Kroger Family 4-Pack tickets, please visit www.astros.com/family or by calling 1-877-9ASTROS.

Monday, June 1 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Baltimore

Tyler Martin, son of fallen Houston Police Officer Richard Martin, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to Monday night's contest. Officer Martin was killed last week in the line of duty. Tyler is a starting pitcher for his Little League team in Cy-Fair. Members of the Houston Police Department will be in attendance to cheer Tyler on.

Tuesday, June 2 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Baltimore

On Tuesday, June 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Astros Head Athletic Trainer Nathan Lucero and Assistant Athletic Trainer James Ready will conduct the Astros annual P.L.A.Y. (Promoting A Lifetime of Activity for Youth) clinic, featuring Astros players, for students from the Astros Urban Youth Academy and the Taylor Hooton Foundation. The program, put on by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society, the Taylor Hooton Foundation and Major League Baseball Charities, is held in conjunction with each MLB team to help educate young people about the dangers of steroid abuse as well as to promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

Former Houston Rockets point guard and three-time NBA All-Star Steve Francis is scheduled to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to Tuesday's contest.

Catch the deal of the season with Double Play Tuesdays, presented by Coca-Cola. Participating fans receive two View Deck II tickets for only $22 or two Outfield Deck II tickets for only $5. Present two (2) labels from any Coca-Cola product containers at the Minute Maid Park Box Office to receive two (2) View Deck II tickets for $22 or two (2) Outfield Deck II seats for $5. Offer good at every Tuesday home game.

Wednesday, June 3 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Baltimore

Houston Texans offensive tackle and three-time NFL Pro Bowler Duane Brown is scheduled to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before Wednesday's 7:10 p.m. game vs. the Orioles.

Every Wednesday night home game is $1 Hot Dog Night, presented by Nolan Ryan Beef. 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).

Thursday, June 4 - 1:10 p.m. vs. Baltimore

Thursday is a 9-Inning Lunch Break, which is available for all 1:10 p.m. weekday home games. Fans receive a Club I ticket with $15 in loaded value to spend at the team store or on concessions. For tickets, please visit www.astros.com/lunchbreak or call 1-877-9ASTROS.

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