The Mets have won four in a row. Pelfrey is now 4-0. Wright, Beltran and Reyes homered. We swept the Phillies. We're in second place.
Dare I say it, I had a fine time at the old (new) ballpark last night. There, I dared say it.
I went out early to my second game at Citi Field, in my ongoing quest to figure out Citi Field. After entering the rotunda, I made a first visit
to the Mets mega store. There signing autographs was an old familiar
face: Rusty Staub.
After
perusing the store, I made my way up to the Promenade area, heading towards the Promendade cafe behind home plate. On opening day, one
required a special ticket to get in this exclusive bar. Not so anymore,
apparently. I was able to enter, order a beer and watch batting
practice from a great view. I had the best, coldest Brooklyn lager beer ever while eating my smuggled sandwich. The sun began breaking through the clouds and had a bonding moment with Shea Field. I then randomly ran into Ron Hunt, confirming my suspicions that this was the right watering hole.
As for the game, the Mets didn't make us suffer too much. Beltran and Wright both hit two run homers in bottom of the first off a wobbly Jamie Moyer. We built up a 7-1 lead, which the Phillies slowly chipped away at, aided by some lousy calls by the 1st base umpire.
In the top of the 8th, the first base
ump made a terrible interference call against reyes during a rundown play. Jerry Manuel got himself ejected, which was the right thing to do. Then Pedro Felliciano gave up an Ibanez 2-run
homer, which was the wrong thing to do. The score was then 7-5, but K-Rod was able to record his 9th save.
The seats were still about 30 percent empty during the game, but the passageways were packed. I think many folks are still treating Shea Field more asa tourist attraction than a ballpark, which is to be expected. But the crowd was more familiar and knowledgeable this time out and the Mets played better, which always helps.
Lets see if Jon Niese can make it five in a row tonight.
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Shea Stadium base, home plate, & pitcher's rubber markers have been installed in the parking lot.