Game 10: Washington Nationals

We knew coming into the game this way going to be a fun one.  Wherever the Yankees travel, their prices travel with them.  My dad helped subsidize this game as part of a graduation present to Ryan, Brad, and Me (thank you so much – this helped a lot on what would have been, by far, our most expensive trip).  This mine and Ryan’s second trip to the Nationals ballpark and Brad’s first.  The atmosphere (and the weather) was great.  The fans were out in full force for both teams in a sellout crowd of 42,000, and it seemed like there were about 21,000 on either side.  And to add even more drama to the game, both teams were coming off 5 and 6-game winning streaks.

Our view from the seats

I was particularly excited for the game because former A’s pitcher Gio Gonzalez was starting for the Nationals.  He has been having the season of his career (well, at least so far – he’s only 26): 2^nd in the national league in strikeouts, with 97, an 8-3 record with a 2.52 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.  I wore my A’s jersey and the National’s cap and tried to get his autograph prior to the game, but to no avail.  Hey, it was worth a try.

Trying to get Gio to sign a ball!

Our seats were in the right field bleachers with a great view of the field and right in the middle of fans going back and forth with each other.  We were glued to our seats for the majority of the game with a sold out crowd and a chance to walk around the concourse prior to the start.  We made one exception to get some food – Ryro had the nachos with chili and all the fixins which everyone at the park seemed to be walking around with while I got the tater tots with all the same.  Brad opted for another outing to Ben’s Chili Bowl (we visited the location in DC prior to the game in Baltimore on Tuesday).  Speaking of great traditions -- let Teddy win!  The Nationals always have a race (like so many other stadiums) between Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt.  Since the presidential race has started at Nationals park, Teddy has never won.

Teddy was in the lead, but was taken out by a lobster!

On the way back to our seats, we ran into longtime friend Gordon and his wife, Jackie.  They came into DC for the Yankees and Nationals game (decked out in Yankees gear – booooo) in part to say hi to me.  We were able to chat it up and take several pictures.  It was awesome to see someone I had known since I was about 2 feet tall!

Gordon, Jackie, and Me!

The game was very close until the Yankee’s broke it open in the seventh inning as the National’s bullpen struggled against the red hot Yankees.  It was easy to tell which fans remained for the entirety of the game by the time they recorded the last out.  The overall experience, though, was quite amazing.  Say what you want about the Yankees team and their Bankees payroll, but they have passionate fans around the country and from home willing to cheer them till the end.  I like the Nationals park a lot, but I’m sure a lot of that stems from the two amazing experiences I have had there.

The three of us at the end of the game from our seats

Final Score: New York Yankees 7, Washington Nationals 2