It was my first time at the ballpark last night, Game 1 of six this summer. Exciting, interesting, frustrating game. If you are reading this, you must be a sports fan, so you know the details of the Phillies' first walk-off win of 2018, a 6-5 victory in 10 innings. The following are my thoughts on the game and my first trip this season to Citizens Bank Park.
- Great that the Phillies pulled out the win. Shame for Nick Pivetta, who pitched brilliantly ( 7.2/3 innings, 2 runs, 13 strikeouts) that he got a no-decision. I saw Pivetta pitch in Baltimore in may, when he struck out 11 Orioles, so I've seen two Pivetta masterpieces so far.
- If you pitch Siranthony Dominguez more than just one inning, as a closer, you may not be able to use him the next game. Hence last night. If Dominguez is used the correct way over the weekend in Milwaukee, he closes last night vs. St Louis and possibly the drama doesn't occur in the 9th and 10th innings.
So, if you are not going to use Dominguez as a closer, get one. The Nationals got a closer yesterday from the Royals. Why can't Matt Klentak call Baltimore for Britton or Cincinnati for Inglesia ? I can't take Adam Morgan or Jake Thompson trying to save games anymore.
- Again, too many strikeouts, on both sides. 27 total. Stupid. Close to a 4 hour game, even with 10 innings.
- 22,000 at the ballpark on Monday night on a hot, steamy night. Kids are now out of school. Should there be more? It was Game of Thrones Night. The Phillies threw a Beach bash before the game near Bull's Bar-B-Que. The announcers attended and several players' wives and kids.
- I like the improvements at the ballpark. The Kid's Fun Zone, including "The Yard" a replica whiffle ball field resembling Citizens Bank Park, is well done. The concourse seems wider and less cluttered. There are numerous charging stations for cell phones. The sound system is clearer. The field looks great. I'm wondering what improvements are coming up next season?
- The Phillies' poor defense reared it's ugly head again in the 9th inning, as catcher Andrew Knapp failed to block a third strike, third out in the dirt, keeping the inning alive for a St. Louis comeback. Phillies catchers are the worst defensively in baseball.
- There was a loud and vocal bunch of Redbird fans sitting behind the St. Louis dugout. Midwesterners are nice and tame, not rude and obnoxious like met fans. Still, visiting teams' fans try to take over the park, and sometimes are louder than the few Phillies' fans left at the end of games. I'll be at the Yankee game next Wednesday and I'm sure a flock of New Yorkers will make the trek down the turnpike. Then again, I can't talk. Phillies' fans took over Camden Yards in Baltimore in May, so I can finally relate.
- With the win, the Phillies are now 38-32, tied for second place with slumping Washington. It was the third straight win for Philadelphia, who are now 3 1/2 games behind idle Atlanta. The Braves play two in Toronto before facing last place Baltimore and Cincinnati at home.Atlanta goes to St. Louis and New York to take on the Yankees after that. Meanwhile, the Nationals played the lowly Rays before hosting the Phillies this weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment