Trip through the Rotation, Part 4--A Penny for the New Guy

Game 4, 5/16/05 (Happy Birthday Mom!), Doug Davis (38,5) vs. Tony Armas, Jr. (60,10.5)

WP--Armas
LP--Davis
S--Ayala
H--Majewski

Seating: Section 406, Row 6, Seat 13
Hat: Nationals Road Cap (Navy, Script W)


A treat for the Astro folks, as Tom Wopat was our Anthem and 7th inning singer.

As I forgot my pencil at work and lost my pen when it lept from my clipboard on the Metro escalator, I was forced to buy another overpriced pen at the ballpark.

I admit I was losing it a bit today--Davis and Armas work kind of slow, and I'd gotten to the park earlier enough to swing down for a Foggy Bottom Pilsner, and this being the fourth game in about 75 hours I was a little drowsy. At one point I heard the guy behind me rattle off a pitch count for Davis that was about six lower than what I had, and I wondered if I missed anything. Heck, I'm not even playing, and I'm starting to see why amphetamines can be popular in the clubhouse. Then again, they're not umpiring or working a regular job at the same time, and they are getting trainers and professional massueses. So too bad; I say they should stick to caffeine and anti-inflammatories.

I considered not going, but I was thinking of you, readers. Yeah, my tough life. I may put my next ticket (May 31) up for sale though; it's only the Braves, who I've already seen and don't care for, plus I may decided to see the Tigers at Baltimore the weekend before. I will have seen five of seven games on this homestand. I will also probably ump Wednesday and Thursday, so by Friday I will seriously be ready for something not baseball.

The official scorer was also asleep, as a popup that bounced off of Christian Guzman's (aka Neifi East) glove in left field was scored a double, while the three-hop bunt that Nick Johnson laid down that Davis couldn't come up with was ruled E-1. With four of us keeping score in consecutive rows we had a good laugh or two about that.

The guy in front of me was there yesterday too, and for the second straight day he had hummus and pitas. Alright, tasty enough, dude, but you're at a frickin' ballgame. I mean, hummus and pitas at a ball game is kind of un-American. But he redeemed himself when, just after I was a bit annoyed that he's a get-a-chant-started-kind of guy and screaming for Vinny Castilla, he cheered on just-acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd with a chant of "Let's-go-new-guy!." Byrd responded with a 380 ft., 2-rbi double, so for that and giving me a post title, he gets a pass. Byrd ended up 3-4, 4TB, 3 RBI.

Castilla, rapidly moving up from his season-opening least favorite player status, smacked a home run off the back wall of the left-field bullpen. Not to be outdone, ex-White Sock (Sok? Sox?) Carlos Lee smacked one off of the advertising on the facing of the upper deck above said bullpen. But that would be the last run, and while Majewski provided a scare in the 8th (loading the bases after Jose Guillen nonchalanted a ball in right for an E-9), the Nationals hung on to win 5-2.

For the first time I noticed the white seats in the 500 section in RFK. There are a couple out there still painted white to mark spots where Frank Howard landed a few titanic shots. Someone was talking about them and I managed to follow their pointing and catch them in the sunset. Maybe that's where I missed six pitches...

Davis struggled, going by my count 107 pitches in six innings, but he has a bitchin' pickoff move. He picked off Brad Wilkerson in the first before even throwing a pitch to Jamey Carroll, and had me guessing and the Nats leaning the wrong may most of the game. Unfortunately for him he should perhaps throw less often to first and concentrate more on throwing to the plate.

Trip through the Rotation, Part 3

Game 3, 5/15/05, Greg Maddux (38, 5) vs. John Patterson (39, 8)

WP--Carrasco
LP--Bartosh
S--Cordero
H--Ayala

Seating, the usual Section 406, Row 6, Seat 13. Next to some guys who came in the 3rd and left in the 8th. Grr--morons.

The Cubs lost today on a little league inning, as Clint Bartosh gave up one run on no hits but two errors by Ronny Cedeno at second base. This right after driving in the tying run...but boy it makes for a bad looking inning. Maddux had already fallen apart the inning before--he threw seven straight balls, something I'm not sure I've ever seen him do.

When the Cubs tied it in the top of the 6th, Carrasco was brought into get the last out, which was Corey Patterson popping up on the first pitch. So Carrasco gets a one-pitch win, and the Cubs continue to swing at anything that doesn't bounce.

Jason Dubois had another two hits. I like this guy.

Sadly, I missed one at bat today while running to the bathroom. I wouldn't have it the concession stand people could keep the lines to less than the width of the concourse. Screwed up my pitch count on Maddux...but I don't thik he made it to 70 anyway.

I drove in to the game today, instead of taking Metro as is my custom, because I didn't want to get up early enough to make sure I was there on time. I actually think I get home post-game a little quicker by car, but I guess I prefer waiting out the people on the Metro to sittting in stop and go traffic. I'll probably drive again tomorrow since I'll be halfway there at work anyway.

Trip through the Rotation, Part 2-Electric Storm Boogaloo

Game 2, 5/14/05, Carlos Zambrano (GS 41, FP 8) vs. Livan Hernandez (66, 14)

WP--Hernandez
LP--Zambrano
S--Cordero

Seating--Section 216, Row 2, Seat 7
Hat--Ryne Sandberg day commemorative hat, Blue Cubbie C with "Sandberg 23" to the right of that. That's old school--most of the U of C connected contigent who read this blog weren't even at Chicago yet, hell, I hadn't technically started at that time--Sept. 21, 1997.

A couple of scattered thunderstorm cells delayed the start of Saturday night's game from 7:05 to 9:43. I just got home(1:41 am), so I'll write up what I feel like and edit/add tomorrow after the game--at 1:05 pm.

I manged to avoid getting wet almost entirely. It wasn't raining when the Metra dipped underground north of Alexandria, and when we popped out the other side of the Pentagon I couldn't see across the Potomac. By the time we got to t the stadium--albeit, I took the second transfer train to avoid being sardined--it had stopped. They had the tarp dumped and were starting to fold it about the proper game time, when they were told to get it back on--and it didn't rain for about an hour, but when it did it was another strong squall, which I got to watch roll in from one of the ramps. It was quite an impressive event and I'm glad I got to see it.

That stopped about 8:40, with the rain finally tapering off about 9 while they were starting to prep the field. Tonight they had an AAGPBL vet (who had a cameo in the film) throw out the first ball.

Here are a few quick additional thoughts:

--The Cubs drew no walks, and hacked at first pitches several times. No wonder they're three under .500.

--Both starting pitchers left in injury situations. They were supposed to have rebuilt the mound while the Nats were away, because it was causing problems. I wonder, given the rain, if they still don't have it right. I'll have to scan the Post over the next couple of days. (Quick check: Z, "tennis elbow", Livan, knee soreness.) FURTHER UPDATE: Zambrano's seems unrelated to the mound, but related to the 130-plus pitches he threw last Sunday...he has an MRI coming up. I hate Dusty.

--For the second time in seven games I've seen, they forgot to close the gate in center field before the first batter stepped in. Nice job, guys...

--A relief pitcher was allowed to bat. You don't see that every day.

--"All for one" did not work tonight.

--Foggy Bottom Brewpub Pilsner is really good. I'll miss it when going back to the upper deck peasantry.

--Livan looks even more huge close up. Well, duh, but you know what I mean. He's a big guy but a great athlete.

Trip through the Rotation, Part 1

With the Cubs in town, one of my season tickets on Monday, and the NRL buying a block of tickets for Tuesday, I have an opportunity to see five consecutive Nationals games live, which of course takes me through the entire rotation. So I figured I'd make this a Hatblog Event (also known as "getting off of my lazy ass and posting for once in my freakin' life..")--5 games, 5 nights, 4 seats, 5 hats.

Game 1: 5/13/05, Glendon Rusch (Game Score 47, 7 Fantasy Points) vs. Esteban Loaiza (56, 13--and for Most Improved Sexbomb to boot)

WP: Ohman
LP: Ayala
S: Wellemeyer

Seating: Section 215, Row 2, Seat 9
Hat: Cloth Cubs C, a little dusty from softball

Tonight was the night to honor some Negro Leauge veterans, including Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe, the oldest living such person (102). He also threw out the first pitch, by which I mean he tossed the ball from a golf cart about 4 in. to one of the Nationals coaches. Hey, if I'm 102 and possessing enough faculties to grip the ball I'll be happy. Naturally, during the on-the-Jumbotron trivia contest they select one fan to do in the middle of the 3rd, it was all about the Negro Leagues--and they selected a white guy. He got them all right though, and seemingly without the help of yours truly, who was seated right behind the aisle where they do it and unfortunately got his mug on the Jumbotron. Oh well. I did note with some glee that the cameraman, the contestant, and the happy interns they put there to express cheerleader-like glee all got in the aisle and crouched down with two outs in the top of the third--just in time for the Cubs to get a walk and three singles and score twice, all while they sat there. Heh. That'll teach 'em to jump the gun.

I was almost straight behind home plate. I probably shouldn't dispose of my disposalable income so quickly...but too bad. The section in front of that, 115, they actually armband people, presumably so they don't have to check tickets all the time to slow up the people who want to sneak in. But, given that someone comes constantly and stands in the aisle taking orders and bringing food and beer, getting in the way of people behind them, they shouldn't have to leave anyway.

There was a foul ball off of the press box that landed one row behind me and four seats over. The usher down there has green and yellow cards to hold up to indicate either that everyone's fine or they need assistance after such an event.

With the game tied going into the top of the 8th, Aramis Ramirez led off. I got to shout at him, and possibly be heard, "All for one!" Given that he homered that at bat, and I got to shout "One for all!" as he crossed the plate, those of you who think I'm a collossal dork for doing that will just have to put up with it for the rest of my life. The inning also featured Jerry Hairston missing a squeeze sign, but Jeromy Burnitz scoring when catcher Gary Bennett dropped a return throw. Since Henry Mateo missed a bunt on a squeeze attmept in the second inning, I saw two blown squeezes while in perfect position to appreciate them. That was pretty cool.

Given that error and another when Corey Patterson hit a dribbler that no one could get to and pitcher Chad Cordero glove-shoveled it into right field, the Nats fans cleared out by the bottom of the ninth to the point where I think there were more Cubs fans left...who had to endure Kremlin Emigre try to give the game away. But the wind helped knock down Jose Guillen's bid for a walk-off slam and Wellemeyer got the save. New Cubs closer? We'll see....

The Amazing Race 7--"5 Continents, 25 Cities, and more than 40,000 Miles"

...but no International Date Line.

I'm sure I'll enjoy this, but I'm about TARred out. I think perhaps one per year is best for both the viewers and the production staff.

Le Week-end

Just a grab-bag of things I wanted to talk about...

Saw Hitchhiker's on Friday. Verdict: very good but not great. That's ok; there are plenty of media in which it IS great. It did well in the box office grosses for the opening weekend, but I don't think it will have any legs for those not in on the joke.

I was not the only one at the screening carrying a towel.

I also carried the same towel to Saturday night's Nationals game, to wipe off the seat and through over my head, and also in case the mascot turned out to really be a Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal. The free program that the Post prints speculated that the mascot was the result of a tryst between the Expos' old mascot, Youppi, and the (previously unknown to be female) bored Washington Capitals' mascot, Slapshot. As Dave Barry would say, I am not making this up. Unfortunately my proof was destroyed in the rain. Also, the parenthetical above was not my insertion, but explicitly mentioned in the article. Apparently it is somewhat of a tradition for Washington-based eagle mascots to have surprisingly explicit origins.

We had the historic first rain delay, and the hilarious second, before the game proved incapable, meteorologically speaking, of resumption. The second delay was hilarious because they were uncapable of moving the tarp over the infield once they rolled it out for the second time, apparently because they folded it the wrong way the first time. But they took several running starts at it, damn near ripping out shoulders, and a couple of times almost losing guys under the tarp. The remaining fans were cheering, chanting "Let's go tarp guys!" and "Let's go grounds crew,", and (like me) getting soaked to watch this spectacle. By the time they got the tarp on about 35 min. after the delay started, the infield was puddled up and there was no way they would restart play. The Mets are protesting, as they had just gotten back to 5-3 in the top of the 8th, while the Nats are saying the game should have been stopped before that due to field conditions.

Also, Joey Eischen got hurt tonight, it looked like he fell on his wrist. This is too bad, as he's quite the quote machine. He's already made remarks about the rest of the division not being able, as they'd figured, to "unzip their trousers and urinate on" the Nationals, and this lovely little soundbite about what Orioles' owner Peter Angelos can do about the Nats' regional live and tv popularity.

The Amazing Race 7--"The Devil Made Me Do It"

And the Amazing Run-To-The-Line-And-Back continues. Cue Wilhite's rant.