Me, Eddie & the King in Sydney, Australia |
As
for the game they saw, the Nationals went on to sweep the Mets by a
score of 8-2. It was a 3-2 game after six innings as the starters Tanner
Roark of the Nationals & Zack Wheeler of the Mets pitched well to
earn themselves quality starts. Once the bullpen took over the game, the
Mets imploded as the combo of Scott Rice, Jeurys Familia & Carlos
Torres combined to let the game get away. They allowed five runs, four
in the seventh inning & one in the eighth inning as the Mets record
fell to 0-3 to start the season.
Friday
after work I was greeted in the lobby of my office by Scott &
Eddie who decided after they did some sightseeing during the day to meet
me so we could go to Citi Field together. It was great to see them
waiting for me. I did keep them waiting five minutes because I forgot my
umbrella upstairs. Just in case I needed it, I went back to get it.
After a false start, it was smooth sailing. We wound up taking the
subway to Queens. We got off the 7 express train at Junction Boulevard
so we could have a pre game meal first. I wound up meeting my Cousin
Andy there as well as my pal Vincent Ascanio who happened to be on the
same train as us. We all wound up splitting a pizza pie that Eddie
treated us all to at Taste of Italy No. 2. I want to personally thank him
for his kindness.
After
we finished eating, we all got back on the 7 train & we went to
Citi Field to see the Mets open a three game series with the Cincinnati
Reds who making their one & only visit to Queens this season.
However they do return in July to play the Yankees in the Bronx right
after the All-Star Break. We all got to see my pal Sam Citron who
greeted us royally at the Rotunda gate. Once we got inside I went to get
my MLB passport book stamped then we all went upstairs to the Royal
Court in section 515. We were joined by the King, Frank Anichiarico aka
Duck, Bryan Gilligan & some other regulars including Danny Werba who
we affectionately call Webber. Since the Knicks, Nets & Devils were
playing some of the crew were missing that night. Regardless despite
the cool weather it was an entertaining evening at the ballpark.
As
for the game we saw, the Mets wound up getting their first win of the
season. They went on to beat the Reds, 4-3. Jay Bruce of the Reds drove in the first
run of the game with a run scoring single in the third inning off Mets'
starter Jenrry Mejia who pitched six innings allowing just the one run.
He did walk five & he kept the King busy by striking out eight. He
left with a 2-1 lead thanks to Lucas Duda who hit the first of his two
home runs. A two run shot in the fourth inning. He did it again in
the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Mets a 4-1 lead. The Reds cut
the lead to one as Jay Bruce hit a two run blast in the top of the
seventh inning. This time the Mets' bullpen managed to preserve the victory.
Vincent Ascanio, Me, Scott, Eddie, Howie Mars, Mike Jaffee & the King |
Saturday
afternoon the King & I returned to Citi Field for game two of the
three game series between the Mets & the Reds. We were joined by
Scott & Eddie again up in the Royal Court. Among those on hand were Mike Jaffee who came with his wife Sharon, a guy we know named Howie but we always call him by an infamous name of Howie Mars. He's a legend in his own rite. What's so unique about the people we know is you never know when they're going to show up. Some days are better than others when it comes to the size of the bunch. One thing's for certain, there's always comic relief.
As for the game we saw, both starters pitched well. Dillon Gee pitched into the eighth inning before he was taken out. He wound up giving up three runs in seven & a third innings of work. His counterpart, Johnny Cueto of the Reds allowed two runs in seven innings. Despite leaving the game with the lead, he didn't get a decision because interim closer J.J. Hoover came on to close out the game. Four batters later pinch hitter now former Met Ike Davis hit a game winning grand slam as the Mets beat the Reds again, 6-3.
Sunday morning Scott headed
back to the Midwest as he caught an early flight so he could get to
Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play before he went back to the Twin
Cities. Eddie also went back home.
Blair Long & I at Citi Field |
The
King & I later that afternoon returned to Citi Field as the Mets
looked to sweep the Reds. When we got up to the Royal Court in section
515 we were joined by another special guest. I'm talking about my pal
Blair Long who I met at PNC Park last July when the Mets played the
Pirates. That night he was joined by his wife Paula. This time he was by
himself. I asked him about Paula. He said she was tired so she decided
to stay home. He lives in Central New Jersey. He took public
transportation to get to Citi Field. He has seen a variety of baseball
games. He likes seeing both major & minor league games. It was nice
to see him again.
As for the game we saw, the
Mets failed to break out the broom. They got shut down by Reds' starter
Alfredo Simon who threw seven strong innings allowing one run. The Reds
hung on to savage a game in the series by a 2-1 score.
Stay tuned as I plan to do some special posts with more highlights from my month of April.
Thank you for reading & following along.
Yours truly,
Gary Herman
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