Game 2: Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers

After our adventures in Dallas, we headed to Arlington to the Rangers ballpark.  The exterior of the field resembled old Ebbets field (Brooklyn Dodgers) and was surrounded by green grass and trees.  The ballpark seemed dwarfed next to the new Cowboys stadium just constructed in 2009.  Regardless, we proceeded inside and to our seats in the left field bleachers where we sat in the fourth row.  The stadium was filled with the Texas Rangers blue and red, and just about every Texan player was represented with jerseys in the audience.  We prepared for a home-field Texas beating of last-place division rival Seattle Mariners.  However, we saw just the opposite.  The Mariners womped the Rangers 21-8, scoring 8 runs in both the 2^nd and 3^rd innings.  Much to our surprise, the majority of fans stayed for the greater portion of the game (if there was any team to stay for, it should be the Texas Rangers, who rank 1^st in MLB for Runs, Average, OBP, and Slugging).   Despite sitting in home run territory in a 29-run game, all 4 home runs went to right field.

View from our seats in left field

While some Ranger fans asked me if we were lost (I was wearing my A’s gear), we were lucky enough to sit next to some kind people who asked about our trip and chatted with us through the game.  They even suggested a BBQ place for us to visit in Kansas City (which we would end up going to before the game on June 1^st).  Speaking of food, the Rangers ballpark is known for great food ranging from the Nolan Ryan all beef hot dog to Cajun and Garlic Fries to a full Turkey Leg.  A 2-foot long $27 hot dog caught our attention prior to the game and our hearts were set.  But much to our disappointment, when we headed to the stand at the end of the 6^th inning, they were already closing down.  Pleading we had drove 1000 miles for the 2-foot giant proved unsuccessful and we sulked back to our seats sad and hungry.

2-Foot Hot Dog

Overall, the game was a great experience with a beautiful park.  The outdoor stadium was nice (no offense, Arizona), but then again, we went to a night game and didn’t have to stand the southern heat Arizona seeks to combat.  And if you thought the $1.50 hot dogs at Arizona were cheap, as we exited the stadium, we were able to purchase their dollar hotdogs at half price, ultimately buying 8 for $4.  Not exactly what we had been looking for, but it eased the pain just enough.