Ed and I bought the tickets for my Dad for his birthday this year. He is a long time Phillies fan so whenever they are in town, we try to see at least one game. Since Grandma B. is here for a visit, Mom Q. relinquished her ticket to good friend Richard ~ another long time Phillies fan.
We headed to 1:35pm game a little early so that we could walk the ball park and take in the sites. There is nothing better than walking into the stadium and seeing the hustle a bustle that takes place. From the parents who are buying programs and team hats for their kids to the vendors who are pushing Bud Lite and peanuts to the groups of men to the President Mascots taking photos with adoring fans (love Teddy!), it is an awesome site to see.
The best part for me is when we find out seats and take that first gaze over the pristine field. The outfield is mowed to perfection and the infield is the most perfectly manicured dirt you'll ever see. I think I love it most because it reminds me of all those Mets games that Dad took us too when we were kids. We always bought a scorecard to keep track of the game and were treated to ice cream in the Mets helmets. I loved going to baseball games then, and I love it now. :)
If you've never been to a Nats game when they are hosting the Phillies, then you are not privy to the somewhat sad site that we saw. The stadium was filled with a sea of red shirts, jerseys and hats. But it was not Nats red. It was Philiadelphia red. I bet 80% of the stadium was filled with Phillies fans which made me so sad. There is nothing worse then hearing the chant "Let's Go Phillies" in Nationals Stadium. I know our boys are still fairly new in town, but c'mon! Where are you Nats fans??!! (Realize I won't be saying this when the Mets come to town.)
I won't bore you with the details of the game...but if you want to read about it click here. What I can tell you is this. The game ended dramatically and it ended in Washington's favor. After an hour and 11 minute rain delay (totally crazy thunderstorm with lightening that scared the bejeezus out of me!), the Nationals were down a run. Then in the bottom of the 9th, with 2 strikes against him, good old Ian Desmond hits a home run to tie the game. That's right Philly fans ~ SIT DOWN!
Side note: One of my favorite parts of the game is when the President Mascots race around the field. It is so fun to watch ~ especially since Teddy has not won a single time. And sadly, his record stands. This game's winner was George!
The game went into extra innings and the Phillies did nothing with their at bat. Then came the Nats. Local hottie Ryan Zimmerman hit a double that was then followed by an intentional walk of Michael Morse. Jayson Werth (former Phillies player who was booed all game by those darn Philly fans) pulled out a single to load the bases with no outs. Espinoza strikes out but then Jonny Gomes strode to the plate. According to the Washington Post, Gomes believes that "the inner half of the plate is his, the outer half of the plate is the pitcher’s. And if a pitch dares come inside and close to your arm or body, well, quite simply, you hang in there." And hang in there he did. The pitch from Phillies reliever Brad Lidge came in hard and hit Gomes on the arm ending the game and earning a BIG win for the Nationals.
Now, of course I felt bad that my Dad's favorite team lost at the game we bought him for his birthday. But it was so nice to see those Philly fans quiet for once. Manager Davey Johnson (one of my personal all-time favorite baseball people) said to reporters "That was fun."
Yes Davey...that was fun!
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