Pirates Recap

Wow, what a great game! Pirates win 5-4.

Seth came along to use the third seat. We sat in our usual section and row (113, Row U), but at the other end (seats 14-16 instead of 1-3.) Both facts will come into play later...

Game Highlights:

• Top 3rd: Doumit almost hit a three run homer. So close! Oh well.
• Middle 3rd: Everyone goes nuts when the pirate parrot starts shooting hot dogs into the stands.  As I'm sitting there thinking how it's particularly crazy on $1 hot dog night, the guy sitting in our usual seats catches one.
• Bottom 3rd: 2 on with no outs, Ohlendorf strikes one batter than gets the next to hit into a 5-4-3 double play.  whew!
• Bottom 4th: Two new guys show their stuff: Steve Pearce hits first home run as a Pirate, Cedeno follows with his first hit as a Pirate!  The future is here.
• Bottom 5th:  Delwyn Young hits foul ball into luxury box RIGHT over our heads.
• End 5th: Pierogi Race taken to the next level.  Relay race, pierogi teams against Nationals Presidents mascots. Botched handoff puts a pierogi team in the lead.  Just to play it safe, Oliver Onion (I think it was) decks Teddy Roosevelt out cold.  Crowd goes nuts.  First Sports Center Top 10 play of the game. Will have to look for it on youtube.
• Top 6: Cedeno makes Freddy-like diving catch. Crowd likes!
  
• Top 7: While Zimmerman hits solo HR, Beer man taunts man with cut off sleeves and camouflage hat with Larry the Cable Guy references. Later in inning, LaRoche makes amazing backhanded catch at the dugout fence.  Sports Center top 10 play #2.7
• Mid 7: 7th inning stretch: Nate refuses to try to be cute to get on jumbotron.  Seth willing to try.  Cuter, smaller kid few rows ahead distracted camera mans eye.  oh well.
• Bottom 8th: LaRoche fouls the ball, guy two rows behind me catches it and gives it to Seth! Nate is disappointed that he doesn't get it, but took it well.  Seth picks up on Nate's feelings, and starts yelling to the next batter "Hey, hit it up here. My friend needs a ball too!"  What a mensch!
  
• Top 9th: Exciting finish.  Can't remember the last time I saw so many people at a Pirates game, up and cheering!
  
  
  
  
  
  

Game 1 Preview: Pirates v. Nationals

First game of our trip tonight. Pirates at home against the Nationals.

This is exactly what the Pirates need right now - a long home stand starting with the worst team in the league. Hopefully they can put together a few wins to build some confidence and fan support.

While we will certainly miss Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson, and the team is going to look worse before it gets better, it's a pretty exciting time to be a Pirate fan. Lots of good prospects now across the farm system. It's fun to think that in two years, a lot of these guys could be up making the Bucs a pretty respectable team.

Unfortunately because of the long home stand we won't be seeing the Bucs on the road. So while it won't feel much like vacation to sit in our usual seats, it'll be great to really be rooting for our team. Let's go Bucs!

Baseball!

Tonight, Nathan and Dad begin their 8 day, 5 game, 4 city baseball trip!

We are really excited.  We've been planning this for months.  We have all our tickets (except Philadelphia, which Granny has.)  We are starting in Pittsburgh, then going to Baltimore.  From there, we go to Philadelphia where we will stay with Granny and Gramps.  After that, we go to New York.  We see two games there. We are staying with Rafe and Stevie.  After the trip, we are going to Ligonier with Grandma and Grandpa and all the cousins from Cleveland.

Stay tuned to your computer for more messages from the trip!

Chestertown