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Padres host Pirates and Nationals for fifth homestand

Homestand highlighted by salute to female first responders, Beerfest and U.S. Marine Corps Appreciation Day

SAN DIEGO - The Padres return home Monday for the fifth homestand of the season, featuring three games against the Pittsburgh Pirates followed by a weekend series against the Washington Nationals. Highlights of the homestand include a salute to female first responders in partnership with FOX Sports San Diego, Summer Beerfest and U.S. Marine Corps Appreciation Day presented by USAA.

Home action begins tonight with a 7:10 p.m. start against the Pirates. Prior to the game, the Padres will honor the Padres Foundation's featured homestand charity partner, Boys & Girls Clubs, in a special pregame ceremony. Padres first baseman and Boys & Girls Clubs ambassador Yonder Alonso will participate in the ceremony.

Monday's Ceremonial First Pitch will be thrown by Jim Ryun, who in 1964 became the first high school student to run a sub-four-minute mile. Ryun later became a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1996 to 2007, representing the 2nd District in Kansas. 

On Tuesday, the Padres will highlight the service and sacrifice of San Diego first responders in partnership with FOX Sports San Diego. Tuesday's pregame ceremony will recognize and celebrate the achievements of female first responders, including representatives from the San Diego County Sheriff's department, San Diego Police, San Diego Fire-Rescue and more. In addition, the Padres Foundation, in partnership with FOX Sports San Diego, will present STAR/PAL with a $10,000 donation. For more information on the Padres First Responders Appreciation program, including exclusive ticket discounts, visit www.padres.com/firstresponder. 

Back by popular demand, every Tuesday home game features $1 pollo asado street tacos sold at six locations throughout the ballpark. An additional location features gluten-free $1 street tacos.

Myles Jury, the eighth-ranked UFC Lightweight, will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch prior to Wednesday's game.

Following an off day on Thursday, Friday's series opener against the Nationals will be preceded by the Padres summer Beerfest. The second of three tasting events this season will feature offerings from approximately 20 breweries. Regular-sized beers priced at $5 will be available for purchase with Friar Funds exclusively. Fans will have the opportunity to buy Friar Funds at multiple locations. First pour is at 5:00 p.m. More information, including a list of breweries, can be found at www.padres.com/beerfest. 

Prior to Friday's game, the Padres will honor the second recipient of the 2014 Hispanic Heritage Comunidad Awards. The Hispanic Heritage Comunidad Awards recognize and pay tribute to individuals or organizations making a positive impact on San Diego's Hispanic community. La Maestra Health Clinic and Foundation has been selected by the Padres' Hispanic Community Advisory Council (HCAC) to receive the award for the organization's dedication to improving the lives of families and youth, specifically in the area of children's education (LEARN).


La Maestra Health Clinic and Foundation began as an amnesty-education center in 1986, expanded to health services in 1990, and now offers several innovative education programs to convert at-risk students into college-bound, community-service minded leaders. In November 2013, The La Maestra Foundation launched a new system targeting at-risk, low income, youth in City Heights. The focus on youth came in a three-pronged approach - an after school program, a skateboard program, and a partnership with Arroyo Paseo Charter High School and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). 

In support of the Padres Foundation's community vision, four awards will be given throughout the year, one each in the areas of children's health (LIVE), children's education (LEARN), youth baseball/ softball or youth fitness (PLAY) and supporting our law enforcement and military communities (SERVE). Last month, 13-year-old Jose Montaño became the first recipient to be honored posthumously, in the area of children's health (LIVE). Despite having had brain surgery, 30 cycles of radiation and 27 chemotherapy cycles over the course of three years, Montaño created the Jose Montaño Foundation to put smiles on the faces of young cancer patients. To submit a nomination for remaining awards, visit www.padres.com/community or www.padresbeisbol.com/comunidad. 

All fans in attendance at Saturday's game will receive a Padres beach towel presented by Toyota.

On Saturday, the Padres will host Petco's Super Kids Day. Prior to the game, a group of grand prize winners will participate in a kids-only press conference with Padres Manager Bud Black. The winners were selected for their outstanding essays answering the question "At Petco, we believe in the power of together. If you and your pet could share a superpower, what would it be and how would you use it together?"

Prior to Saturday's game, the Padres will recognize the eight local winners, ages 7-14, of the 2014 Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run competition, who will advance to the National Finals during MLB All-Star Week in Minneapolis. As the "Official Youth Skills Competition of Major League Baseball", Pitch, Hit & Run (PHR) provides youth with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and advance through four levels of competition, beginning at the local level. More than 4,000 local competitions take place each year, hosted by organizations, leagues, or volunteers within a community. All 30 MLB Clubs are hosting team championships at their ballparks. This is the 18th year MLB has run a youth skills program. More information about the program is available online at mlb.mlb.com/PHR

The homestand wraps up on Sunday with U.S. Marine Corps Appreciation Day presented by USAA. A company of Marine recruits from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot will be in attendance as well as hundreds of active duty Marines and family members from local bases. Prior to the game, 100 Marines who will be deploying this summer with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit will line the baselines. The Ceremonial First Pitch will be thrown by Maj. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, the commanding general of Camp Pendleton's 1st Marine Division. Marine Band San Diego will perform the National Anthem and Staff Sgt. Brent Williams of MCAS Miramar will sing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch.

Prior to all Sunday home games, from 11:30 a.m. to noon, two Padres players will sign autographs at the Park at the Park for Jr. Padres Sunday Signings. A Jr. Padres membership is required to participate in the signing event. Membership is free, and kids can sign up online or in-person on the day of the event.

KidsFest at the Park returns Sunday, featuring bounce houses and other inflatables, games, face painters, balloon artists, and more kid-friendly activities. 

Tickets for all home games can be purchased at the Petco Park box office, online at www.padres.com, by phone at 619.795.5555, at the Padres Store in Tijuana, and at all Ticketmaster locations. 

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