Opening Day is full of optimism and excitement. I look forward to new additions to the food, ballpark, and to seeing old friends. I love singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame and counting down from 10 at the home plate entrance before they open the gates. I love the brass band that tours the concourse, bringing that "old time" feel. I had reason to be excited this year, as we were 4-4 on our road trip and our offense had showed some signs of life. Well, it didn't tonight as we lost 4-0.
Athletics (3-4)
Weeks 2B
Crisp LF
Reddick RF
Cespedes CF
Smith DH
Suzuki C
Barton 1B
Donaldson 3B
Pennington SS
Colon (1-1, 5.89)
Mariners (4-4)
Figgins LF
Ackley 2B
Suzuki RF
Smoak 1B
Seager 3B
Montero DH
Saunders CF
Olivo C
Ryan SS
Hernandez (1-0, 4.40)
Unfortunately the best part of the ballgame was in the first inning and prior to that with the traditional Opening Day ceremonies. The team trotted out on a red carpet, they had the annual "run around the bases" by a make a wish kid. The most exciting was Mike Cameron threw out the first pitch and it was announced that he signed a contract earlier in the day so that he could retire as Mariner. What a class act. After he left years ago, I bought a t-shirt on sale and pulled it out of my drawer. I'd never worn it! It was a little big, but had to sport my Cammy attire. There was also a nice tribute to Greg Halman before the game. Such a loss.
Felix looked fired up in the first inning, striking out the first two batters he faced. The rest of the game, he got into a few jams but as he learned a couple of years ago he held fast and kept us in the ballgame. As was often the case last year, his offense failed him. In the second inning, he struck out Cespedes from Cuba (already has hit 3 homers against us this year), then gave up his first hit to Smith who was doubled up as Suzuki ground into a 6-4-3 DP. In the third inning the ballgame was pretty much decided. Felix gave up three hits, walked one, and gave up his two runs before escaping. The next inning, Oakland loaded the bases with 1 out via a double, walk, and single. But, he got out of trouble again. It was unfortunate that we couldn't muster any sort of offense against Colon.
Because of the way the weird opening in Japan has gone... this was the third time we've faced Colon already this year. The first time in Japan we sucked, he lasted 8 innings of 1 run, 3 hit ball in a 4-1 loss. The second time in Oakland we roughed him up on our way to an 8-7 victory: 4.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R. This year is was yet again 3 measly hits in 7 innings. It started out with getting two runners on in the first, which made me think that we had a chance today with the way that Felix looked in the first. But we scattered our three hits and was never able to get any offense going. Really frustrating, so the last three games I have attended the Mariners have been shut out.
A positive, Ichiro is now out of the lead off spot. Unfortunately they have him in at the third spot... but really I can't see anyone filling that role for now. Singles hitters should be down at the bottom of the order, not in the meat of your lineup. Another positive, my new seats on the aisle in row 7 look to be great seats! There were a lot of people walking up and down, but hopefully that will die down with smaller crowds.
Olivo had another passed ball in the 8th. Appalling. It led to us being down 3-0 instead of 2-0. But it didn't matter, I guess, since we couldn't score.
The announced attendance was 46,026 but there were noticeably empty patches in the outfield and 300 level. Could this be due to the fact their credit card processing system was offline most of the game? I doubt it. More likely someone swooped in at the last minute to purchase tickets to make it seem sold out, or people decided not to go.
I got the new brisket sandwich, which was $9.75, cheaper than last year, but absolutely disgusting. It was cold, the meat was of poor quality, and it was much less tasty than last year. I will not be getting it again. They did add sweet potato fries, though, so that should be interesting.
All in all, a disappointing and frustrating night. 1 down, 80 more to go!
The Mariners are 0-1 when I attend.
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