Astros final 2014 homestand to feature fan attractions and two playoff contenders

The Astros will play their final seven home games of the 2014 season at Minute Maid Park during the upcoming homestand as they host two teams vying for AL Wild Card berths in the Cleveland Indians (September 15-18) and Seattle Mariners (September 19-21). Houston has been on a tear lately, winning eight of their last 10 games, all of which came against AL West opponents. The Astros are 21-16 since August 1.

Monday, September 15 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Cleveland

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Astros are proud to honor children who are fighting cancer and the organizations that help support them and their families. Three different organizations will invite families to enjoy a night of baseball, as well as have one special child throw out the first pitch and kick off the game by announcing "Let's Play Ball!" On Monday, September 15, the featured organization will be the Sunshine Kids Foundation, whose mission is to add quality of life to children with cancer by providing them with exciting, positive group activities, so they may once again do what kids are supposed to do- have fun and celebrate life!

The Astros have invited 2,000 members of the Houston Fire Department to come out to the ballpark free of charge on Monday for Houston Fire Department Night. A member of the Houston Fire Department will also be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

Z Tequila will be hosting a postgame happy hour at Flying Saucer (705 Main Street) following the conclusion of Monday's contest, featuring Astros Baseball Operations and Scouting personnel as well as Z Tequila drink specials.

Tuesday, September 16 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Cleveland

Houston rapper and Astros supporter Bun B will throw out the first pitch prior to Tuesday's contest in promotion of the new, limited edition Astros cap he designed with artists from New Era. The cap will be exclusively available at Academy Sports + Outdoors retail locations and at the Astros team stores in Minute Maid Park starting Tuesday.

The second organization featured during the Astros' recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month will be the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance, which provides emotional, educational and practical support to families of children with cancer.

Wednesday, September 17 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Cleveland

On Wednesday, Jason Castro will be honored as the 2014 Astros Roberto Clemente Award nominee, presented by Chevrolet, during a pregame ceremony. Jason and his wife, Maris, have been active in promoting literacy in HISD schools through "Castro's Kids." As part of the ceremony, Castro will be awarded $7,500 from Chevrolet to donate to the charity of his choice. He has selected the Astros Foundation, the official team charity, to receive this donation.

The final organization the Astros are honoring as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is the Ronald McDonald House Houston, which offers a home away from home providing care, compassion and hope to families with seriously ill children being treated in Texas Medical Center member institutions.

Thursday, September 18 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Cleveland

Long-time radio broadcaster and the newest inductee to the Astros Media Wall of Honor Alex Trevino will be honored in a pregame ceremony on the field on Thursday, September 18.

On Thursday, the United States Air Force celebrates its 67th birthday. In recognition of this day, the Astros welcome Lieutenant Colonel Rolando "Rolo" Aguilar, who recently retired from the U.S. Air Force, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Lt. Col. Aguilar was an F-16 pilot who provided an armed air escort for Air Force One as it carried President George W. Bush over the Texas and Louisiana skies on September 11, 2001. Cold Springs-Oakhurst Air Force Junior ROTC will be presenting the nation's colors before Thursday's game.

Don't miss the last Dollar Hot Dog Thursday of the season, 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).

Friday, September 19 - 7:10 p.m. vs. Seattle

Big and Bright Friday Night returns for the final time in 2014 with a postgame Friday Night Fireworks show, presented by Marathon Oil Corporation, following the conclusion of the game vs. the Cleveland Indians. This week's show features a "2014 chart toppers" themed fireworks display.

The Astros Foundation will be selling special mystery grab bags, featuring baseballs and jerseys signed by current and former Astros players and coaches. Mystery grab bags will be sold at the Community Clubhouse located near section 111 on Friday, September 19, from the time gates open until the end of the 4th inning. All proceeds from mystery grab bag sales benefit the Astros Foundation.

Every Friday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. is St. Arnold Happy Hour, featuring $5, 12-ounce beers at the St. Arnold's Bar in left field. This Friday's Happy Hour will also feature live music.

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

Saturday, September 20 - 6:10 p.m. vs. Seattle

On Saturday, the Astros will help celebrate Fiestas Patrias with a pregame street fest, presented by United Airlines, before the Astros host the Seattle Mariners at 6:10pm. The celebration kicks off with the Fiestas Patrias Street Fest on the Plaza on Crawford Street from 3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. which pays homage to Mexico's culture and traditions, complete with live music by La Orquesta Salmerum, an autograph session with Astros legend Jose Cruz and Spanish radio broadcasters Alex Trevino and Francisco Romero, traditional Latin dance lessons, food trucks and a special Q&A session with Juan Pablo from ABC's The Bachelor.

In honor of Jose Altuve's 200th hit, fans will also have the opportunity to purchase a special "200 hits" ticket package, which includes a commemorative 200 Hits T-shirt. The Astros and Minute Maid will also recognize Altuve's monumental achievement in a pregame ceremony. Fans can visit www.astros.com/Altuve to learn more about the "200 hits" ticket package.

The Astros players will also be sporting their Los Astros jerseys during the game in honor of the special day.

The Astros Foundation will be hosting its annual Marketplace on Saturday, September 20, which gives fans the opportunity to purchase past promotional items and other Astros gear. Fans can find the Marketplace along Home Run Alley near left field at Minute Maid Park. The sale begins when gates open and continues until the end of the 6th inning, and will also feature special mystery grab bags, featuring baseballs and jerseys signed by current and former Astros players and coaches. All proceeds from Marketplace and mystery grab bags sales benefit the Astros Foundation.

TexanPlus will announce the Grand Champion of their TexanPlus Champion Program, which was designed to recognize everyday champions who make a difference in the lives of older Americans in Southeast Texas, in a pregame ceremony prior to Saturday's contest. All five finalists will be on the field for the ceremony. The finalist who collected the most votes will be named the TexanPlus Grand Champion and will throw out the first pitch immediately following the ceremony, and will also present a $25,000 donation to the charity of her choosing.

Sunday, September 21 - 1:10 p.m. vs. Seattle

Sunday, September 21 is Fan Appreciation Day at the ballpark, and to say thanks to their incredible fans, the Astros will be giving away prizes every half inning throughout the game to randomly selected fans.

Season Ticket Holder Photo Day, where Season Ticket Holders will have the opportunity to take photos with Astros players, will also take place from 10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on the warning track prior to Sunday's 1:10 p.m. contest vs. the Mariners.

Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley will throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Sunday. Beverley attended his very first Astros game this season in support of his fellow Razorback, Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel.

Marie "Red" Mahoney, an outfielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, will also be throwing out a cermeonial first pitch in celebration of her 90th birthday.

The Astros final giveaway of the 2014 season will be a Team Poster for 10,000 fans, courtesy of the Houston Chronicle.