Astros will travel to Corpus Christi April 2 to play the Hooks

On their way back from Spring Training in Kissimmee, Fla., next year, the Astros will make a one-day stop in Corpus Christi, where they will play an exhibition game with the Double-A Hooks.

The game will be played on Monday, April 2 at 6 p.m. CT. Here is the full press release:

CORPUS CHRISTI – The Houston Astros are coming back to town.

And, they’re returning Monday, April 2, three years to the date of their first Corpus Christi appearance, which established a Whataburger Field attendance record with 9,118 patrons.

On that sun-splashed Thursday evening, the Hooks beat their parent club 6-5, the difference a two-run walk-off home run by Brian Esposito.

“On behalf of Ryan-Sanders Baseball, the Hooks and our fans, I want to express deep appreciation to Drayton McLane and the Astros organization for this opportunity,” Hooks Founder and CEO Reid Ryan said. “We are delighted and excited about another great event for Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend as the Astros embark on their 50th anniversary season.”

Said Astros GM Ed Wade: “We value our relationship with the fans in Corpus and with the Ryan-Sanders Baseball group. The exhibition game gives us a chance to show our appreciation. The fans are always enthusiastic and welcoming to our major league players, similar to how they are to our minor league players throughout the season. They are first class all the way.”

The Hooks have been affiliated with Houston since their inaugural Corpus Christi season in 2005. From 2000-04, the Astros’ Texas League Double-A affiliate was located in Round Rock as the Express.

During seven seasons, 33 Hooks have ascended to the Astros, including eight in 2011. Three of those – second baseman Jose Altuve, third baseman Jimmy Paredes and left fielder J.D. Martinez – bypassed Triple-A and went straight to the big leagues over a 13-day period in July and August.

The Astros-Hooks player development contract runs through 2016.

Start time April 2 is 6 p.m. Hooks full-season ticket holders will be extended the option to purchase their regular seats and additional locations at $28 each. Twenty-two game package holders (Friday Fireworks/Saturday Special) enjoy seating options as well at that rate.

Any remaining Astros-Hooks reserved-seat tickets go to general public sale at $30 each on Friday, March 2. General Admission pricing is $12.

For 2012 Hooks season-ticket information, call 361-561-HOOK or go on-line to cchooks.com.

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