sprite writes
broodings from the burrow

April 19, 2005


opening day — belatedly
posted by soe 1:06 am

the first runs of the game

I’m a little slow about posting on the Nationals’ home opener…

I left work spot on 5 and a train pulled up just as I walked down the Metro stairs. I hopped on and quickly realized I’d hopped on going the wrong way. I’d like to say it was because I was so excited I wasn’t paying sufficient attention, but I’ve made this mistake before on the Orange/Blue line. I don’t know why. I know which direction the credit union is . . . everything else seems to be up for debate in my mind.

But I digress.

So I righted myself at the next stop and headed toward RFK. The train was crowded with folks headed to the game. (I suspect if that train were my normal commuting route, I would get very annoyed very quickly.) The train was slow, and as we approached the Stadium/Armory stop I realized it must be because they were trying to disgorge only one train at a time. That was indeed the case, with the stop just wall-to-wall people — you saw lots of cameras being aimed back on those behind us.

The crowds waiting to get through security were upbeat. I heard comments about how the easy listening music being piped out to us was not really the sort of pre-game psyche-up hoped for and I wondered aloud if it was being used to keep us from getting unruly.

Eventually I made it through and joined Pat and baby Jack at our seats (Rudi was still waiting to make it through security and Heidi was still on the Metro) in time to see the Nationals introduced for the first time, Renee Fleming sing the national anthem, President Bush throw out the first pitch to open the stadium’s season (it was a high ball, but over the plate), and some of the former Senators take the field to a standing ovation. The Nationals players then joined their field forefathers to a roar from the crowd, and the game commenced.

It was fantastic. Pitcher Livan Hernandez was in control of the game, throwing strikes from the very beginning. We took the lead in the bottom of the fourth when third baseman Vinny Castilla hit a triple to score right fielder Jose Guillen and second baseman Jose Vidro; Castilla then scored off a sac fly by catcher Brian Schneider.

Top of the fifth — First baseman Nick Johnson had the defensive play of the game when the ball was ripped up the first baseline. Johnson was playing toward second and was forced to dive to get his glove on the ball. He came up with it and managed to beat the runner to first to get the out.

Bottom of the fifth — Rudi returns to our seats with the very exciting news that in addition to pizza, the ballpark also serves veggie dogs! Knowing I have another 11+ games in the stadium this season, this is some of best news of the night.

Bottom of the sixth — Castilla hits the first Nationals home run at RFK, scoring himself and right fielder Ryan Church. The crowd goes wild; RFK literally bounces with glee.

Top of the ninth — Livan is still in the game, but starting to struggle. He pitched more innings than any other major leaguer last season and word is that he prefers more innings to fewer. But by the ninth, he just looks tired. He walks a batter, gets an out, gives up a hit, and then throws a pitch knocked out of the park by the Dbacks’ Chad Tracey. Suddenly the crowd focuses — we’re only up by two. Livan leaves after throwing 8 1/3 innings and 121 pitches (71 of them strikes).

Closer Chad Cordero enters the game and gets one out easily. The crowd rises to their feet and Cordero walks a batter to bring the tying run to the plate. And then Cordero pulls it out to close out the game. The stadium is frenetic, with fans cheering and fireworks pouring forth from the top of RFK.

Rudi and I headed home, walking to Union Station to avoid the hordes trying to catch the Blue/Orange line and arriving home in time to catch highlights on the news.

It was an experience of a lifetime. =)

Rudi has more photos on his site.

Category: dc life,sports. There is/are 1 Comment.



Have I told you yet how jealous I am of your seats? What a view!

Comment by forepac 04.19.05 @ 10:21 am