First off, sorry for the delay in writing. I was sick on Thursday, and had to go home and rest. :)
It was great going to the park again (for a game, anyway) for the first time in the better part of 6 months. I really missed going to games – and I probably would have enjoyed it better if I was feeling good (I haven’t been feeling all that great the last couple of days). I had gotten free seats for opening night from the Rangers, so the fact that I didn’t have to pay made it all the nicer, too. :)
Anyway, I had a different feeling going into this game with Darren Oliver on the mound. If he was pitching last year, I would have been scared to death. I also saw him in Round Rock last year when the Drillers played the Express – Darren was there on a AA rehab assignment. He wasn’t good there, either. However, this night was different. While not a stellar pitching performance, he pitched well enough to get a win. He went 5 innings, giving up no runs, although he did walk too many (with a rather high pitch count) – which accounted for his loading the bases in the first and second innings. He walked 5 in 5 innings, but K’ed 6 Angels, too.
On the offensive side, I walked in thinking – it’s game 3, and no home runs – we have to get one tonight. We did. Galarraga got his first as an American Leaguer, scoring 3 – Pudge followed up later with a solo jack.
All in all, it was a great game – and my wife had treated me to a Schlotsky’s sandwich for our dinner at the game. Much better than any of the food at the Ballpark. :)