A Tough Night in Baltimore

The Washington Nationals lost to the Baltimore Orioles Friday night at Camden Yards, 3-

1. The Nats have now lost four in a row and seven out of their last ten. Washington fell a

game under .500 and are now nine games behind the division leading Atlanta Braves.

Trevor Rogers had a great start for the Birds, pitching into the seventh inning, giving up one

run and allowing five hits. Rogers struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. Coby Mayo started off the

inning with a double to center. Tyler O’Neill walked as did Jackson Holliday two batters

later. Then Blaze Alexander singled to left, scoring O’Neill and Mayo. Those walks will get

you every time. I’m serious.

The Nationals finally scratched out a run in the top of the 5th

. Jacob Young doubled to

center and was sent home a couple batters later courtesy of a single from Keibert Ruiz. But

that was it for the good guys.

The Orioles added one more tally in the bottom of the 7th Coby Mayo doubled to left center

after a Taylor Ward single and a Pete Alonso walk. There’s that walk thing again!

Three relievers blanked the Nats over the final 2 and 2/3rd innings. Both teams combined

for 19 strikeouts. That’s what it is these days, a strike out or a hit it out mentality.

Fun fact…the average combined strikeout total per nine inning game is around 17.

The series continues in Baltimore tomorrow evening at 7:05.

On a totally unrelated note, check out the uniforms Baltimore wore tonight. I thought they

were pretty cool. Just sayin’.

Dave’s Dime: Take me out to the ball game! Every so often I see an article featuring a

devoted baseball fan who just completed a life-long goal of attending a game at every MLB

stadium. Usually, my first thought tends toward jealousy. That has been on my bucket list

for many years. But, I’m so old now I’m just happy showing up at the right time and the right

place for my next doctor’s appointment.

I have been fortunate enough to attend games at a few big-league stadiums over the

years. I think I’ve made it to nine. Not too bad, I guess, but definitely not thirty…

Growing up in Colorado, I had to wait quite a while before I could see a major league game

without having to drive six hundred miles. But then Denver was awarded an MLB expansion

franchise in 1991 (along with the city of Miami), and they played their first game in April of

1993. Their home those first two seasons was Mile High Stadium, which they shared with the Denver Broncos. That first year they set the all-time season record for attendance with

a total of 4,483, 350 fans. A feat that still stands. Look it up. Pretty impressive, I’d say. Let

me just throw one more unbelievable factoid at you guys. The Rockies ranked first in

National League attendance for every year between 1993 and 1999. That’s eight years in a

row.

Their current stadium, Coors Field, was finished in 1995. I’ve probably seen at least a

couple dozen games at Coors Field. It’s a great place with an awesome atmosphere. I love

me some Rockies Dogs! With a lot of mustard and sauerkraut.

I remember how difficult it was to get a ticket to a game those first few years. They had

some great teams back then with some amazing players.

Coors Field has always been known as a hitters’ park, probably due to its altitude. There’s a row of purple seats in the upper deck of the field that circles the stadium. Those seats

mark the exact elevation of 5,280 feet. A mile high!

Those first few years were memorable for many reasons. In 1995 the Rockies had four

players who each hit 30 home runs. They earned the nickname the “Blake Street Bombers” after one of the streets that borders the stadium. That amazing quartet consisted of Dante Bichette (father of Bo), Vinny Castilla, Andres Galarraga, and Larry Walker. What a

foursome that was!The Rockies have made it to only one World Series so far, back in 2007. What a fantastic year.

Colorado won 21 of their last 22 games to secure a Wild Card spot. They actually

finished the season tied with San Diego and had to play a one-game tiebreaker, which the

Rockies won 9-8 in 13 innings. I distinctly remember watching that game and finally giving up after they blew a lead for the umpteenth time. I went to bed. My wife had the audacity to tell me first thing the following morning that the Rockies had ended up winning the game. I

accused her of severe mental cruelty and demanded a divorce. (No, not really, but almost!)

In the postseason the Rockies swept the Phillies in three games. Then they swept the

Diamondbacks in four games. That led to Colorado clinching their first, and only, National

League pennant. I can remember that like it was last week. But unfortunately, the Rockies

had an 8-day layoff due to the ALCS going seven games. They lost their Mo-jo somewhere

during that time. Their glorious season came to an inglorious end as they were swept in

four games as the evil Boston Red Sox won the 2007 World Series.

Now I’m depressed.

I’m done.Good night,