HAPPY DOME DAY!
Astrodome fans, you're invited to this historical unveiling for Eighth Wonder of the World
Steven Devadanam
May 29, 2018, 10:18 am
Fans are invited to a major historical unveiling today at 3 p.m. Courtesy of City of Houston
This story originally appeared on CultureMap/Houston. Steven Devadanam is the editor of that site.
The Houston Rockets season may be over, but sports fans can still celebrate this month. Supporters of all things H-Town sports and the Astrodome are encouraged to don their sports apparel (or anything “Astrodome related,” according to the invitation) and attend the unveiling and dedication for a new Texas State Historical Marker for the Eighth Wonder of the World.
The event will take place at 3 pm Tuesday, May 29 on the west side of the Astrodome at NRG Park. Parking can be accessed through Gate 9 at Westridge and Kirby. The lot will open at 2 pm. Guests can expect brief remarks from multiple speakers including Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who has been a tireless advocate of repurposing the building, and Dene Hofheinz (daughter of Roy Hofheinz), who is most associated with the creation of the Astrodome. There will also will be followed by the marker unveiling.
It’s been a banner year for Astrodome supporters. In February, the Harris County Commissioners court approved a $105 million project that would reconfigure the Astrodome into an event center. The plan involves raising the ground level up two floors, which would create a parking garage with 1,400 more parking spots.
And in March, diehard Dome fans were treated to a Domecoming, where locals were allowed to tour the facility one last time before construction began, creating an opportunity for priceless selfies.
This month’s dedication is the result of efforts of Harris County Historical Commission member and Heritage Society program director Mike Vance, and Mike Acosta, a team historian for the Houston Astros. The two longtime researchers of Houston sports history have worked for years on efforts to preserve and reimagine the iconic Astrodome.
The marker designation makes the building a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, judged by the state to be both historically and architecturally significant. This is in addition to the Astrodome's status as a State Antiquities Landmark and the title of being on the National Register of Historic Places. The marker is sponsored by the World Champion Houston Astros, and is also supported by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation and NRG Park.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.