We spent 10 hours at Nationals Park today, and time seemed to fly by. Just like the day before, a large part of today was spent catching up with friends and learning our way around the new park. Right from the beginning the place was electric with excitement. Watching the Nats batting practice before home games is something that I am going to look forward to all season, today’s was great with a bunch of guys hitting would be home runs.
As the sun set, the
opening day festivities began. Don Sutton was the MC for the night. He introduced the Braves line up first, they had a red carpet and everything. The Nats line up was introduced next, with the starters running in from center field between two huge American flags. It was really a classic display. Ryan Zimmerman and President Bush walked to the mound amidst thousands of camera flashes. Mr. Bush’s pitch was dead on. Regardless of your politics, you have to appreciate the symbolism of the moment. Watching the President throw out the first pitch in Nationals Park is a moment I won’t forget.
The game got off to a favorable start, with Odalis Perez’s first pitch strike. He recorded the first out in Nationals Park by striking out Kelly Johnson. Cristian Guzman recorded the first hit for the stadium with his single in the first. What a way to start the game! Nick Johnson came out strong by nailing a double to right field. Guzman scored and Johnson recorded his first RBI since 2006. The Nats scored another run in the first when Austin Kearns’ single scored Johnson. Perez continued to pitch well for the Nats, for five innings. He gave up only one run in the fourth - the first home run in Nats Park - hit by Chipper Jones. Kearns saw a lot of action tonight in right field, making a lot of great catches. Zimmerman was on defensively also.
The score stayed 2-1 Nats until the 9th inning. We saw relief appearances from Rivera, King (who seemed to struggle a bit) and Ayala. Fans and announcers alike we were all set for the Chief to pitch the 9th and close the game. The signature horn blew for Chief, the ESPN announcers claimed Chad was pitching, the fans were ready for him, but Jon Rauch took the mound instead. We weren’t sure what had happened. Something had to be wrong, no way Cordero wouldn’t pitch in save situation for the first time in the park. We thought maybe Manny was trying to play it safe, because Chief is occasionally roughed up by the Braves line up. Turns out we were wrong, and Cordero is suffering from right shoulder tendinitis, he is listed as day to day. Not good news, and we hope he feels better soon.
When Rauch took the mound in the 9th we were hoping for three quick outs. Jon got lucky for the first out and caught Jones’ ball himself. He followed up by allowing a double to Teixeira. Rauch got Francoeur to ground out, leaving only one more out for the Nats win. With McCann at bat, Lo Duca had a horrible passed ball, that allowed Prado to score and tie the game. It seemed like a silly mistake the ball just bobbling off his mitt. Rauch hustled well and tried to cover the plate, but in the 9th inning the score was tied 2-2. It seemed like extra innings for sure, the Nats had to make it dramatic.
The bottom of the 9th could have been out of a movie script. Guzman led off with a strike out. Milledge followed up with a ground out. Ryan Zimmerman, the face and future of the team walked confidently to the plate. Everyone was on their feet. Nats fans knew that Ryan has a bit of the flair for the dramatic, he thrives on these clutch situations. I don’t think anyone doubted that he could win the game with one shot. On the second pitch Zim sent a shot to center field, hitting the first Nationals home run, and a walk off nonetheless!! The atmosphere was unbelievable, all the fans on their feet watching their young star take his well deserved curtain call. It was an amazing way to start the season, winning the first game at Nationals Park in such a fashion. I almost want to thank Lo Duca for passing that ball…almost.
Check out our photos from today!
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