Tag: citi-field

New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies: One Girl’s Pain

On Monday evening, we made the trip to Citi Field to watch the New York Mets take on the Philadelphia Phillies. It was the four of us (Ryan went back to Siena earlier in the day), one of Caitlyn’s friends and a couple whose son is friends with Matthew. Beatrice and I remained neutral while everyone else (minus Caitlyn) was a Mets’ fan. If you know the result of the game, then you know that one of us went home not happy. In fact, after today’s game, it became clear that Caitlyn was almost ready to throw the towel in on the Phillies’ season.

Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto ready for action. Credit: Matthew Lynch

This was the third time we have seen Aaron Nola pitch in person. And for the third time, Philadelphia came out on the short end of the score. We had good seats, section 329 row 16. In came in handy when on this chilly night, we managed to avoid the brief drizzle that fell during the course of the contest. When Francisco Lindor led off the first inning with a home run and Jesse Winker led off the second inning with a home run, Caitlyn knew it was not a good omen. It didn’t help her cause watching Tylor Megill whiff ten Phillies’ batters, either. For Matthew and the rest of the Met fans, it was sheer delight when Lindor cranked a three run homer in the seventh inning to give the home team what seemed to be an insurmountable 5-0. It was around this time that Caitlyn reminded me emphatically that the Phillies needed bullpen help and that I would tell her they would be fine. Their second highest bullpen ERA that flashed across the TV screens above us made me a liar. She did have some joy in the ninth inning when Bryson Stott smacked a three run home run of his own to cut the lead to 5-4. Unfortunately for Caitlyn, Bryce Harper struck out to end the game, leading to yet another disappointing stadium outcome for her.

This is why I love my kids and marvel at how wonderful they are. There was no trash talking between Matthew and Caitlyn. Matthew was surely thrilled his Mets were victorious but was happy for Caitlyn that she got to see a big Phillies’ rally. As for Caitlyn, the rest of this series went as poorly you can get. Cristopher Sanchez left Tuesday’s start early with forearm trouble. Wednesday’s game was an extra inning loss, even after Philadelphia took the lead in the tenth inning. The series sweep left the team with a record of 13-12 and a certain young lady in my house ready to challenge them all to a fight.

Life in the Citi

Man, it feels like forever since I last posted. That’s what happens when other things in life pull you in multiple directions. Work, Lake George, Saratoga and kids’ sports occupy much of my time. However, we did take time out to head to Citi Field for our (potential) last game of the year. On July 11th, the New York Mets went for the sweep against the division rival Washington Nationals. The Mets were rolling at this point, kick started by Grimace and Jose Iglesias’s, “OMG” becoming their vibe for 2024. Would the good times continue?

Section 109 is a great view at Citi Field. Photo from my collection.

The Mets’ David Peterson and the Nats’ MacKenzie Gore matched zeros for the first four innings. After Washington was held scoreless in the top of the fifth, the Mets erupted for five runs, highlighted by Brandon Nimo’s three run double. J.D. Martinez and Pete Alonso produced RBI singles to give New York their fourth and fifth runs. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Mark Vientos and Harrison Bader drove in Martinez and Alonso to give the Mets a 7-0 lead. Adam Ottavino came on to get the final three outs but this being Ottavino, it came with a lot of drama. He managed to load the bases but preserved the shutout by striking out James Wood and Jesse Winker to end the game. The Mets would then close out the schedule leading up the All Star Break by winning the first two games against the Colorado Rockies before losing the finale on Sunday.

It was a day that saw the excessive humidity finally break in the New York City area. However, we sat in the sun all day and by the end of the game, we were fried. Still, if you head to Citi Field one day, section 109, row 22 is a pretty good area to watch the game. After visiting Citi Field, Citizens Bank Park and Yankee Stadium, the kids still agree: the Bank is the best.

Such a great view. Photo from me.