Astros in NLCS
Published on October 11, 2005 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) - The Houston Astros will open the National League Championship Series tomorrow (Wednesday, October 12) against the Cardinals in St. Louis, this after Sunday's epic 18-inning thriller in Game 4 of the NLDS against Atlanta.
The game-winning, walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th was hit by Chris Burke, one of 11 Astros on the club's current playoff roster that saw significant playing time in Round Rock when that city served as Houston's Double-A affiliate from the 2000 through the 2004 seasons. Burke played for the Express, primarily as a second baseman, in 2002 and 2003 on his way through the Astros' farm system. The other Astros who were developed in the organization and played in Round Rock during this five-year period are Eric Bruntlett (â01-â02), Morgan Ensberg (â00), Jason Lane ('01), Luke Scott ('04) and Willy Taveras ('04), along with pitchers Mike Gallo ('02-'03), Brad Lidge ('01-'02), Roy Oswalt ('00), Chad Qualls (â02-'03) and Wandy Rodriguez ('04).
Rodriguez, along with Brandon Backe and Jeff Bagwell, all played for the Hooks this season at Whataburger Field while fulfilling rehabilitation assignments with the Astros. All three are on the Astros' playoff roster, and Bagwell, revered as one of the greatest Astros of all time, came through with a big pinch-hit, RBI single in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Braves.
The opener of the NLCS will take place tomorrow night at 7:00 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, with Andy Pettitte on the mound for the Astros against the Cardinals' Chris Carpenter. Game 2 will be played Thursday night, again at 7:00 pm.
The scene shifts to Houston on Saturday, October 15th, where the Astros will host the Cardinals in Game 3 of the NLCS, with the first pitch at Minute Maid Park slated for 3:30 pm. The fourth game of the series, to be played Sunday, October 16th, is now slated to begin at 3:45 that afternoon.
The Astros are reporting that all NLCS games scheduled at Minute Maid Park are sold out, however, the club has announced that the process for purchasing individual game tickets for the 2005 World Series games in Houston will begin tomorrow, through an on-line process at the team's website, www.astros.com.
In order to be eligible to purchase tickets on October 17th to potential World Series games held at Minute Maid Park, fans must first register on-line at astros.com beginning Wednesday, October 12th, at noon (CDT) through Friday, October 14th at 5:00 pm (CDT). On Saturday, October 15th, a random drawing will be held among all fans who have registered on-line. Those selected in the random drawing will be notified via e-mail on Sunday, October 16th.
There is a four-ticket purchase limit for each winner selected in the random drawing, subject to availability. Ticket prices for the World Series, as established by Major League Baseball, are $125-$185 per seat and $45 for standing-room only. Ticket purchases must be made with a major credit card, and additional fees may apply.
Should Houston reach the World Series, the Astros would host games on Tuesday, October 25th (Game 3) and Wednesday, October 26th (Game 4). Game 5, if necessary, would be played in Houston on Thursday, October 27th.
For more information, interested fans may call the Astros' Ticket Services Department at (800) ASTROS-2 (800-278-7672).
Texas League Stories from October 11, 2005
- Astros in NLCS - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Texas Leaguers take center stage - TL1
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
