After Record-Setting First Half, Astros Return as Top Team in the League

The Houston Astros kick off the second half of the 2017 season on Friday as they return from the All-Star Break to take on the Minnesota Twins (July 14-16) and AL West rival Seattle Mariners (July 17-19).
The Astros entered the All-Star Break with the best record in the American League at 60-29, leading the league by 10 games and marking the best 89-game start in franchise history. Houston is also just the fourth team in AL history to reach 60 wins prior to the All-Star Break. The Astros lead the AL West Division by 16.5 games, setting a new franchise benchmark for a division lead, all-time. In the first half of play, the 2017 Astros set club records in batting average (.289), slugging percentage (.500), OPS (.855), runs (527), hits (898), doubles (197) and home runs (148). The pitching staff set a first-half franchise record in strikeouts with 902.
Tickets for the upcoming homestand are still available for purchase at www.astros.com/tickets or by calling 1-877-9ASTROS.
Friday, July 14 vs. Minnesota Twins - 7:10 p.m.
Baseball on Tap presented by Budweiser returns to Minute Maid Park! Enjoy tastings of over 25 different beers, live music, video games, a photo booth, bar games and more! The first 500 Baseball on Tap attendees will receive an exclusive Baseball on Tap pint glass, and fans will also have the chance to win a Budweiser Brewery Tour. Tickets start at just $33 and include a Field Box or View Deck game ticket, Baseball on Tap pint glass (first 500 guests) and Baseball on Tap passport valid for four, 3 oz. beer tastings and a full beer. Fans who want to attend the event but already have a game ticket can purchase the Baseball on Tap Add On for just $20. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/baseballontap.
New Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul will throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to Friday's 7:10 p.m. match up.
Big and Bright Friday Nights begin with a special pregame Budweiser Happy Hour at the Budweiser Brew House, where fans can enjoy $6, 16oz Budweiser Signature Draft beer and food specials, a live DJ, corn hole, jenga and more from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. before every Friday night home game.
Get ready to cheer on the Astros in the loudest and most energetic part of the ballpark for every Friday night home game in the 'StroZone presented by Texas Mahindra Dealers! This Friday night, which is now sold out, fans will receive an exclusive Lance McCullers Jr. 'StroZone T-shirt and get to show their hometown pride by throwing their H's in the air with a custom H-Town foam hand. Tickets for 'StroZone include a seat in the newly-renovated Mezzanine Level, a custom 'StroZone T-shirt unique every Friday and an H-Town foam hand. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/strozone.
To cap off Big and Bright Friday Night, fans are invited to stay after the game for Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Occidental Petroleum. This Friday's musical theme is Motown. Upon conclusion of Friday's game and prior to the start of Friday Night Fireworks, fans will be asked to move from the following sections for their safety and enjoyment: Home Run Alley, Escalator Tower Stairs in Center Field, Budweiser Brew House Tiers, Budweiser Batter's Eye Bar, Torchy's Deck, Crawford Boxes and sections 100-109, 205-208, 305-309 and 405-409.
Gates will open two hours prior to game time on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Saturday, July 15 vs. Minnesota Twins - 6:10 p.m.
Prior to Saturday's evening matchup against the Twins, 10,000 fans will receive a Carlos Correa "Handshake Series" Bobblehead presented by Houston Methodist. Fans are encouraged to arrive at the ballpark early to receive any of this weekend's promotional giveaways, as supplies are limited and not guaranteed.
Fans are invited to stick around after the game on Saturday for the Astros After Party presented by Budweiser! The Astros After Party, located in the Budweiser Brew House, will begin in the 8th inning and go until an hour after the final out. Fans can enjoy karaoke, trivia, food and beverage specials, games and visits from the Astros Coca-Cola Shooting Stars.
Sunday, July 16 vs. Minnesota Twins - 1:10 p.m.
Come enjoy the magic of the Astros first-ever Princess Day! The sold-out event will take place in Union Station Lobby from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. right before first pitch, where attendees will have the opportunity to interact with some of their favorite princesses including Cinderella, Jasmine, Elsa, Tiana, Snow White and more! Fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite prince or princess. The Princess Day ticket package includes a ticket to Sunday's 1:10 p.m. game vs. the Twins, an Astros Princess Wand and Tiara for the first 500 attendees, meet and greets with the princesses, tea parties, storytelling with princesses, "Princess Training," and more. All activities are subject to change. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/princess.
Prior to Sunday's matchup, 10,000 fans will receive an Astros Grocery Tote presented by MLB Network.
Create memories for the whole family at Minute Maid Park with Kroger Family Sundays, starting at just $60. The family-friendly package includes four Field Box IV or View Deck I tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and access to Minute Maid Squeeze Play kids zone (ages 5-12), kids run the bases after Sunday home games (ages 5-12) and a "My First Baseball Game" certificate at the Fan Accommodations booths at sections 112 and 323. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/family.
Monday, July 17 vs. Seattle Mariners - 7:10 p.m.
HomeAid Houston's Project Playhouse will be on display at Minute Maid Park at the top of section 150 until Wednesday, July 19. The "All American Playhouse," built by Darling Homes and Taylor Morrison, features air conditioning and a flat screen TV/DVD combo and more. Raffle tickets for a chance to win the playhouse will be on sale at the same location. This is the 11th season that the Houston Astros and HomeAid Houston have partnered for Project Playhouse and money raised from the project furthers HomeAid's mission to build new lives for homeless families and individuals through construction and community outreach.
The Coca-Cola Value Nights package is one of the best ballpark bargains. Available for select Monday-Thursday regular season games throughout the 2017 season, this offer includes one View Deck I ticket, one hot dog, one 20 oz. bottle of Coca-Cola product and one popcorn, a $37 value for just $18! For more information, please visit www.astros.com/value.
Tuesday, July 18 vs. Seattle Mariners - 7:10 p.m.
In honor of the Astros franchise-record six 2017 All-Stars Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers Jr. and Chris Devenski, 10,000 fans will receive a 2017Astros All-Stars Commemorative Poster presented by Gallery Furniture. The poster will feature all six of the 2017 Houston Astros All-Stars along with their stats from the first half of the season.

During a pregame ceremony prior to Tuesday's contest, the Astros will recognize Abbey Smith from Austin, TX, the Scotts MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Astros Team Champion. Smith represented the Houston Astros and won the 13-14 age bracket of the Scotts MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Softball National Finals at the 2017 MLB All-Star Game in Miami.
Astros pitcher Charlie Morton will host Wounded Warrior veterans at Tuesday's game as part of the Astros Salute to Heroes program. The veterans will participate in a meet and greet with Morton prior to Wednesday's 7:10 p.m. first pitch. Date and player subject to change.
Astros fans can also catch the deal of the season with Double Play Tuesdays, presented by Powerade. Participating fans receive two View Deck II tickets for only $22. Present two (2) labels from any Powerade product containers at the Minute Maid Park Box Office to receive two (2) View Deck II tickets for $22. Offer good at every Tuesday home game. For more information, please visit www.astros.com/value.
Wednesday, June 19 vs. Seattle Mariners - 1:10 p.m.
In honor of National Hot Dog Day, this Wednesday will be a special $1 Hot Dog Day 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).
Kids will have the opportunity to run the bases following Wednesday's 1:10 p.m. game.
It's summer time which means it's the perfect time to join the best kids club in town, the Coca-Cola Astros Buddies Club! Being an Astros Buddies member includes premium items, exclusive Buddies-only experiences, tickets to select Astros games, newsletters and more. Coca-Cola Astros Buddies memberships are for kids 12 and under. For more information on the Coca-Cola Astros Buddies Club, please visit www.astros.com/buddies.
-ASTROS-