After spending the night in Morgantown, West Virginia, we got on the road again for about a three hour trip across to DC. We made our way to a parking lot behind centerfield and noticed that just about every car parked had Phillies logos or Phillies fans standing around it ( our fans out numbered Nats fans 3:1…no joke). When we got up to the gate with our tickets we realized that unfortunately there would not be batting practice for the day game starting at 1:35. So we got very familiar with the ballpark being there two hours early, walking around the entire concourse, watching Chase Utley do some pregame running drills to stay in shape on the DL.

For lunch we decided to eat some barbecue again and found the perfect stop in centerfield where a white tent smelling of wood fire meat burning came to our presence. Teddy’s barbecue it was called and we both got in line. Dad ordered the short ribs and claimed they were honestly the best ribs he has ever had, yes, ever. I got the beef brisket sandwich equally as good.  We went up to the second level of the centerfield section underneath the score board that had couches and places to sit down right next to a full length bar. 1:00 rolled by and so we made our way to our seats, about twenty rows above the third baseline and Phillies dugout.

As game time neared some of the Phils came out to stretch and throw while the starters finished up their throwing routines. The national anthem was sung probably by the most dramatic woman I have seen in quite some time, especially in the 7^th inning during God Bless America. Priceless!!!!

Originally we were supposed to see Stephen Strasberg pitch but as fate would have it, the start before he had shoulder tightness and was put on the DL. John Lannan got the start instead and matched up against Cole Hamels. In the first inning the Phils jumped on the board quick with some clutch two out hitting by Werth, Francisco, and Brown. The only bad part was when Howard went back awkwardly to second base rolling on his ankle. Hopefully all is well and he can be back real soon.

Hamels pitched very well except for two innings, giving up two doubles in an inning and later serving up a big-time tater to Adam Dunn with a runner on. It was 4-2 in the seventh when Jimmy led off with a walk and Polanco doubled him home. Then with one out and runners at first and third, Francisco hit a possible double play ball that Zimmerman bobbled, only able to get the lead runner and the Phils tied it up. The theme of our trip did not go away, and unable to score anymore, the game went into extras, yes that’s right.

The eleventh inning came with the game still tied and Placido Polanco did it again. A man at third and two outs, he roped a single up the middle to give us the lead which was then followed by a much needed insurance run by Jayson Werth. The whole crowd knew who the Phillies next pitcher was to enter the game. Swarmed by flocks of boos by Phillies fans and hopeful cheers from Nats fans, Brad Lidge entered the game. Of course Zimmerman was his first batter, but this time it had a different ending, a grounder to third for the first out. Two fly ball outs proceeded and the game was over! A successful ending to an awesome trip capped with a Phillies win!

This park was beautiful and really had everything you would want. The food options were great with Gluten free food to finger licking barbecue. All the concourses had interesting art and baseball facts and great views from every angle. As dad liked to point out, they even had cup holders at reachable levels. The music and scoreboard fan interaction was nicely done and the President’s race was enjoyable, although Teddy needs to win at some point. The press box was very high up which isn’t the smartest thing to do for announcers and the left field stands are a little bare, but then again, these are nitpicky items. All in all, my dad and I both agree that this stadium was probably our favorite; A beautiful park in a beautiful city, and a perfect way to end our road trip. I had an amazing time, seeing stadiums, players, new cities and driving down the interstate- this was a trip I will never forget! I’ll keep posting from time to time about the Phillies’ playoff run-

Thanks for reading!!

 

Jake

 

 

I type from the car tonight as the Phillies and Nationals game tomorrow begins at 1:35 and our wakeup call will be close to seven. The shortest drive of the trip so far came this morning as we journeyed from an hour outside of St. Louis on to Cincinnati. A scheduled four o’clock start to appease Fox Saturday baseball, we pulled into a nearby parking garage by the stadium at about two thirty. We climbed up the steps to the outfield gate above the street and for the second straight day happily received a bobblehead, this time Reds current pitcher Homer Bailey. We made our way around the concourse taking pictures from every angle and I travelled down to field level to get some close ups of Larry Chipper Jones taking grounders and Heyward taking batting practice. Walking over to right field we looked out onto the Ohio River, the scenic backdrop to the outfield and walked along the pathway curving around centerfield.

 

Game time neared and the threat of rain had mainly disappeared. We took our seats just two rows back of the first level in left field and got a big dose of heat and sun we had not experienced in a while. Dad could not stand the heat, especially with no hat so he left for the shade and came back with a Reds hat and luckily found some sunscreen to apply! 

The game’s starters were Bronson Arroyo for the Reds and Jair Jurrjens for the Braves and after a big jet flyover the game began. Jonny Gomes, the Reds’ leftfielder, ran out towards us to take his position and in case anyone was not aware of who he was, it was made evident by a lady in the first row who screamed and proclaimed her love for him every inning.

The Braves got on the board quickly in the first when an error by the catcher and some following singles and walks gave Atlanta a 2-0 lead. Arroyo then settled in and the only bad pitch Jurrjens made was a solo homer by Scott Rolen that landed about five rows back and to our left in the fourth. The game was going by quickly and luckily some clouds rolled in to block the sun. Then the bottom of the seventh came and the Reds finally made their mark. Rolen again sparked the offense with a double followed by two singles to tie the game. Then with two men on base, one of the strangest plays I have ever seen occurred. Hanigan, the catcher, belts a gapper into left center field scoring both runners. As he is about to coast into second, centerfielder Melky Cabrera picks up the ball, rears back to throw, but the ball slips out awkwardly from his release and flies out of his hand from the wall to the middle of centerfield. Hanigan races around third and scores! A 5-2 ballgame.

 

The Reds then turn it over to their closer  Cordero, you know, the pitcher that is supposed to end the game after his team has built a lead for eight long innings. Someone who has confidence and actually gets a job done.  It sounds unfamiliar to Phillies fans as I listen to Brad Lidge blow yet another save in this pathetic excuse of a season he is having. It’s time for him to GOOO!!! Thanks bud, you won us a ring but now you’re costing us another.

Anyway, Cordero came in and closed the door and the Braves lost! Some fireworks popped and Reds fans went home happy with their team tied for first team.

The stadium is actually nicer than I envisioned. The underneath concourse is open air and not confining and you are able to walk around the whole stadium.  The food consists of nachos, hot dogs and pizza and that’s it, but then again its Ohio, not many vegetarians there. Dad says the bathrooms are nice because of the foamed soap and the in-game music was not bad. I also like the steamboat club seats in centerfield, however there is not much to look at in right field except for the large set of grandstands.

 

We stopped in Morgantown, WV and now head to DC to finish this great trip. Hopefully the Phils can pull something out to not get swept and get back on track in the division race. On to Nationals Park!