[2009 Baseball Tour] Part 2: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers)
a.k.a. Powerless Rangers. (Seriously, I was all set to use some sort of Power Rangers reference for this recap. And then the Rangers get shut out. XD;)
And also, something that is a complete rarity in MLB happened in this game. In an era of 7th and 8th-inning setup men, an era of pitch counts, and an era of me yelling at my computer because Ochiai-kantoku left Nakata in too long and blew an 8th-inning lead (no, that didn't happen today, even though the Dragons did blow another lead), it's news whenever this happens, especially in MLB: BOTH PITCHERS WENT THE DISTANCE. XD But it was KC who won this duel.
And I can also GUARANTEE that I was on TV during this game. XD More details in the recap.
Before the game:
-Headed out from Houston at about 12:30. And DAMN did Houston get hit hard; there was even a stretch of road that was completely submerged, which caused a sizeable backup.
-Didn't get to the stadium 'til about 5. Y'know, I hate Dallas (they stole the North Stars, and the Cowboys/Niners rivalry of the 90s), but I have good memories there. Well actually, it all revolves around A-Kon 2000, my first anime con. (khiq knows what I'm talking about. XD)
-My seat was in the front row of the outfield; of course, I got there during batting practice, which means there were kids at the wall begging the Royals players for balls. XD; It sure didn't help the headache I had while driving. (I wonder how much of that has to do with the new car smell of my rental car; it was literally new.)
-Eventually, BP ended and I took my seat. Didn't really do much other than take pictures until the game actually started. Especially of Texas catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Just look at how his name is fit onto his jersey, and you'll understand. XD
-No merchandise bought either. I was holding out for something commemorating "Rangers 30, Orioles 3". (Sorry, I admit it, low blow)
-Before the game, they showed a montage of great Nolan Ryan moments: his 5000th strikeout, his 7th no-hitter... But guess what he was cheered most for: putting the White Sox's Robin Ventura in a headlock during a bench-clearing brawl. XDDD
-Let's just go to the game. Tonight's pitching matchup: KC's Zack Greinke vs. Texas's Kevin Millwood.
Top 1st-Bottom 1st: Both pitchers got out 1-2-3.
Top 2nd: The Royals got the bases loaded with 2 out, but their 9-hitter, Willie Bloomquist, grounded out to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd: Hank Blalock got a triple to start the inning, as the ball squirted out of a diving Coco Crisp's glove, but the Rangers managed to waste it. Right away, you could tell this would be one of those games where the first mistake loses.
Top 3rd: It took Millwood 8 pitches to get out of this inning. XD;
Bottom 3rd: Saltalamacchia (let's just call him "Salty" for the rest of this recap) doubled to start the inning, and the big-hitting Rangers tried some small ball with Elvis Andrus sac bunting, but this too amounted to nothing.
End 3rd: Here comes the shill machine for the new Star Trek movie... and a complete section of fans got "Live Long and Prosper" foam fingers. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP. (Sadly, not my section >.o)
Bottom 4th: OK, here's where I can guarantee I was on TV. With 1 out, Hank Blalock hit one to deep right field, and it hit the wall directly in front of me. He could only get a single out of it. XD; If it was one foot higher, it would have been a home run, and if it was two feet higher, I'd have a souvenir ball. XD And yes, the Rangers got nothing out of this too.
End 4th: OK, I like this bit: Flex Cam. Although I still say they should use Real American for this; the bit needs a little Hulkamania. XD
Top 6th: Let's skip here. Coco Crisp walked to lead off the inning, then got to 2nd on a ground out, and to 3rd on another ground out (which left Millwood shaken up, but he continued to pitch). Enter Billy the Combat Butler, who ripped one down the left field line to score Coco Crisp. That was all they got, but something told me this was all they needed. 1-0 Royals
Bottom 6th: Michael Young: first-pitch single. Josh Hamilton: first-pitch fly out. Hank Blalock: 2nd-pitch fly out. Marlon Byrd: first-pitch popout. It took Greinke 5 pitches to get out of the inning. XD;;;
Top 7th: With 2 out, Miguel Olivo parked one in left. Unnecessary insurance runs FTW! 2-0 Royals
Bottom 7th: Greinke took 5 pitches last inning, 8 pitches this inning.
End 7th (at least I think it was here): They did this bit where at the kids' park they had a kid hitting, and he would win free stuff for his section if he hit a home run at this miniature park. He did, and the regular home run fireworks went off. Fireworks I couldn't see from where I was sitting. >.<;
Top 9th: Yeah, let's skip all the way here. Millwood finished off a respectable 111-pitch complete game with a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 9th: Out came Greinke to hopefully finish his complete-game shutout. He got the first two out, but he gave up a single to Nelson Cruz. For some reason, Hillman-kantoku came out to talk to Greinke, but Greinke stayed in, and he struck Chris Davis out to finish his shutout with 10 strikeouts. FINAL SCORE: Royals 2, Rangers 0
Just one complaint: I couldn't find any substantial food other than hot dogs there. >.<; I wanted a hamburger so bad, and I sadly went all the way to the hotel without one, as most of the places on the way back were closed.
And here are 73 pictures from the park. You'll see the most epic jersey ever ("Salty"'s), the new Dallas Cowboys stadium that looks like a facade hiding Arsenal Gear, Live Long and Prosper foam fingers, and the most epic out-of-town update ever: Cleveland 22, NY Yankees 4. XD
And also, something that is a complete rarity in MLB happened in this game. In an era of 7th and 8th-inning setup men, an era of pitch counts, and an era of me yelling at my computer because Ochiai-kantoku left Nakata in too long and blew an 8th-inning lead (no, that didn't happen today, even though the Dragons did blow another lead), it's news whenever this happens, especially in MLB: BOTH PITCHERS WENT THE DISTANCE. XD But it was KC who won this duel.
And I can also GUARANTEE that I was on TV during this game. XD More details in the recap.
Before the game:
-Headed out from Houston at about 12:30. And DAMN did Houston get hit hard; there was even a stretch of road that was completely submerged, which caused a sizeable backup.
-Didn't get to the stadium 'til about 5. Y'know, I hate Dallas (they stole the North Stars, and the Cowboys/Niners rivalry of the 90s), but I have good memories there. Well actually, it all revolves around A-Kon 2000, my first anime con. (khiq knows what I'm talking about. XD)
-My seat was in the front row of the outfield; of course, I got there during batting practice, which means there were kids at the wall begging the Royals players for balls. XD; It sure didn't help the headache I had while driving. (I wonder how much of that has to do with the new car smell of my rental car; it was literally new.)
-Eventually, BP ended and I took my seat. Didn't really do much other than take pictures until the game actually started. Especially of Texas catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Just look at how his name is fit onto his jersey, and you'll understand. XD
-No merchandise bought either. I was holding out for something commemorating "Rangers 30, Orioles 3". (Sorry, I admit it, low blow)
-Before the game, they showed a montage of great Nolan Ryan moments: his 5000th strikeout, his 7th no-hitter... But guess what he was cheered most for: putting the White Sox's Robin Ventura in a headlock during a bench-clearing brawl. XDDD
-Let's just go to the game. Tonight's pitching matchup: KC's Zack Greinke vs. Texas's Kevin Millwood.
Top 1st-Bottom 1st: Both pitchers got out 1-2-3.
Top 2nd: The Royals got the bases loaded with 2 out, but their 9-hitter, Willie Bloomquist, grounded out to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd: Hank Blalock got a triple to start the inning, as the ball squirted out of a diving Coco Crisp's glove, but the Rangers managed to waste it. Right away, you could tell this would be one of those games where the first mistake loses.
Top 3rd: It took Millwood 8 pitches to get out of this inning. XD;
Bottom 3rd: Saltalamacchia (let's just call him "Salty" for the rest of this recap) doubled to start the inning, and the big-hitting Rangers tried some small ball with Elvis Andrus sac bunting, but this too amounted to nothing.
End 3rd: Here comes the shill machine for the new Star Trek movie... and a complete section of fans got "Live Long and Prosper" foam fingers. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP. (Sadly, not my section >.o)
Bottom 4th: OK, here's where I can guarantee I was on TV. With 1 out, Hank Blalock hit one to deep right field, and it hit the wall directly in front of me. He could only get a single out of it. XD; If it was one foot higher, it would have been a home run, and if it was two feet higher, I'd have a souvenir ball. XD And yes, the Rangers got nothing out of this too.
End 4th: OK, I like this bit: Flex Cam. Although I still say they should use Real American for this; the bit needs a little Hulkamania. XD
Top 6th: Let's skip here. Coco Crisp walked to lead off the inning, then got to 2nd on a ground out, and to 3rd on another ground out (which left Millwood shaken up, but he continued to pitch). Enter Billy the Combat Butler, who ripped one down the left field line to score Coco Crisp. That was all they got, but something told me this was all they needed. 1-0 Royals
Bottom 6th: Michael Young: first-pitch single. Josh Hamilton: first-pitch fly out. Hank Blalock: 2nd-pitch fly out. Marlon Byrd: first-pitch popout. It took Greinke 5 pitches to get out of the inning. XD;;;
Top 7th: With 2 out, Miguel Olivo parked one in left. Unnecessary insurance runs FTW! 2-0 Royals
Bottom 7th: Greinke took 5 pitches last inning, 8 pitches this inning.
End 7th (at least I think it was here): They did this bit where at the kids' park they had a kid hitting, and he would win free stuff for his section if he hit a home run at this miniature park. He did, and the regular home run fireworks went off. Fireworks I couldn't see from where I was sitting. >.<;
Top 9th: Yeah, let's skip all the way here. Millwood finished off a respectable 111-pitch complete game with a 1-2-3 inning.
Bottom 9th: Out came Greinke to hopefully finish his complete-game shutout. He got the first two out, but he gave up a single to Nelson Cruz. For some reason, Hillman-kantoku came out to talk to Greinke, but Greinke stayed in, and he struck Chris Davis out to finish his shutout with 10 strikeouts. FINAL SCORE: Royals 2, Rangers 0
Just one complaint: I couldn't find any substantial food other than hot dogs there. >.<; I wanted a hamburger so bad, and I sadly went all the way to the hotel without one, as most of the places on the way back were closed.
And here are 73 pictures from the park. You'll see the most epic jersey ever ("Salty"'s), the new Dallas Cowboys stadium that looks like a facade hiding Arsenal Gear, Live Long and Prosper foam fingers, and the most epic out-of-town update ever: Cleveland 22, NY Yankees 4. XD