Game 3

Going to a playoff game was all I expected it would be and more. I told Seth that I would much prefer coming to a Reds game in October than a fall foliage trip. That's only partly true. ;)

 

We left Pound around 10;30 a.m. and arrived in Cincinnati with plenty of time to park and walk to Great American Ball Park. We waited in line just for a few minutes before the gates opened.

 

I think I take a picture of this bridge every time I go to Cincinnati.

 

 

We found our seats and went down to watch the San Fransisco players warm up. We happened to be where the pitchers were throwing.

 

 

Tim Lincecum

Madison Bumgarner

Matt Cain

Sergio Romo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stage was set. It was less than a minute away from the first pitch. Then some idiot ran out onto the field. The funny thing is that I mentioned to Seth before the game about someone possibly doing that very thing.

 

 

First pitch from Homer. I was so glad we got to see Homer pitch.

 

 

It started well. It was actually a great game. Tied 1-1.

 

 

 

 

 

After the first inning I put my camera away so I could enjoy the game. When I took it out in the bottom of the ninth inning (hoping for a walk off win) I had left it on and the battery was dead. No harm though because the Giants ended up winning in the tenth inning. Boo!!

 

Homer was great. We have seen him turn every corner in his career this year. I'll just link this article about his pitching performance.

 

We left disappointed the Reds hadn't won but knowing they had two more games to try to win the series. It took us for ev er to get out of the parking lot and to the interstate (since our exit was closed and there were no detour signs...thanks a lot!) but after an hour we finally got on the road and arrived back home at 3:00 a.m. Long day but oh so worth it!!!

What Some Parents Do for Their Kids (wink wink)

Back in the spring of 2008 Seth bought tickets for the Reds/Cleveland Indians series. He and his friends had gone to Cincinnati one year and then to Cleveland the next to watch the series in the past. So, it turned out that no one was able to go that year. Seth told me and Tim that one of us would have to go. Tim had taken the Friday before the series off of work to go up to Lauren's graduation from Virginia Tech. So, of course that left me. I really didn't want to be gone two weekends in a row but I went anyway. Oh what we do for our kids. ;) Of course I had fun...three Reds games, a walk off  home run by Dunner in the second game, a game consisting of the ERA leaders at the time (Volquez and Cliff Lee) in the third game, a three game sweep by the Reds and spending the entire weekend with Seth!!

 

Fast forward to 2012....Seth bought two tickets to the NLDS between the Reds and San Fransisco Giants. I asked him who was going with him and he said he didn't know. I asked what if he couldn't find someone and he said that Tim or me would have to go. I told him I wasn't going because I didn't want to spend the money. Haha. So, Seth called on Wednesday during the day but I was outside. I called back but he didn't answer. He never calls in the middle of the day so I kept wondering why he would have called and I figured he couldn't find anyone to go so I thought, "well, I'll just bite the bullet and go." He finally called back and told me Jordan was going. Whew. He had called to tell me he was coming over Saturday to watch the baseball games and to see what I was cooking.

 

I know this story seems awfully long so far... Anyway, Seth called me Friday evening to tell me he had good news. Or maybe bad news. Jordan found out he had to work Tuesday night so he couldn't go to Cincinnati. Soooo, looks like I am going to watch the Reds play the Giants in the NLDS!!! What parents do for their children. ;) Of course I asked Tim to see if he wanted to take off work to go but he told me to go. =D Now I'm really excited. Watching the Reds in a playoff game and spending the day with Seth!! A good day in the making.

I can only hope we might see these just like back in May 2008 when the Reds swept the Indians.

 

Or at the very least these!!!

 

 

Reds Blog

Might as well make this a Reds blog because it seems that is what I keep blogging about. This season just keeps getting better. My Homer pitched a no hitter tonight!!

 

 

I've always loved Homer because we started following him when he was in Louisville and then when he came up to pitch for the Reds in 2007. He has the same birthday as Seth so he feels like a son.

Seth even ran into him in Cincy a few years ago and got a picture with him.

 

 

Yes, they both have tobacco. Not crazy about that but I'm sure it's another reason Seth likes him!

Cincy Weekend Part 2

Haha, how's that for a creative title?

After Friday's game we were able to witness something that had never been done before. Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman had bet someone earlier in the season if the Reds won ten games in a row he would shave his head. Well, win they did!! So, he challenges people to raise $20,000 for charity and he would have it done in front of the crown after Friday's game. They made it a pretty big deal. Members of his family were there and other folks on the field.

We were watching from a spot where some people got in front of us so we started walking to the car forgoing watching the Friday fireworks but stopped to watch the spectacle on the t.v. In all, $50,000 was raised and a celebrity who shall not be named because I don't particularly like him matched it so a total of $100,000 was raised for the Reds Community Fund. Now, that is impressive. Guess, it was worth it to Marty!



Like I said, we didn't stay for the fireworks so luckily missed most of the traffic exiting the game.

The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. We used to park over in Covington, Kentucky and walk across to Cincinnati sometimes. I would like to do that again.

We were able to swing by Steak and Shake for something to eat and get back to the motel in time to watch all the coverage of Marty getting his head shaved.

The next day we slept in and didn't get out until eleven. I really wanted to go to the Worlds Longest Yard Sale at MainStrasse Village in Covington but since it was supposed to be in the upper 90's decided against it. Considering we were going to be outside at the game we thought air conditioned places might be best. We really didn't have a plan but ended up at Dicks, Walmart, Walgreens (buying moleskin for a blister...story of my life) and then driving around trying to find a Goodwill we could see from the Interstate. After two peoples sketchy directions we finally found it ourselves. Three empty frames for me and a couple of tee shirts for Seth later we headed into Cincinnati to find the Urban Outfitters. Of course we didn't know the directions but knew it was close to the University of Cincinnati. Seth looked it up on his phone and we exited on the correct exit but then of course it took awhile to actually find it. Let's see, driving around the inner city. Not for me. Thank goodness Tim was a trouper. He accidentally went up a one way street only once! We eventually found it, parked and went in. It is in an old church building. Seems wrong. I remember calling Urban Outfitters once to tell them to stop sending me their catalog because it was so offensive. The store-same thing. Jen would have liked it though.

After we left the store we drove around a bit more and went through a neighborhood of gorgeous older homes. They were the kind of homes we imagined the owner of the Reds would live in. Because we didn't want to pay to park and walk somewhere in the city to eat we drove back over on the Kentucky side and ate a late lunch before heading back over to the Ohio side again for the ballgame. The temperature heading to the game was 98 degrees. Hot much?

It was much more crowded before the Saturday game. We wanted to get there early to get our Johnny Cueto bobble heads. They gave out twenty five thousand and we were concerned we wouldn't get one if we didn't arrive early. Ha! Well, actually, we're just used to getting to the ballpark early.

We went around to the side where it was shaded though to get in line. 

We got a good view of the Great American Tower at Queen City Square from that side.

We got our bobble heads and went in to wait two hours for the game to start. Remember the temperature driving to the park? Yeah, and it was a lot more humid. It made for an uncomfortable two hours. Well, actually, it made for an uncomfortable few hours. there was a better breeze though and luckily it was overcast again. Thank goodness!

Mike Leake pitched. Let's just say I think Tim was right when he said he's the weak link. Not the best outing but the Reds won anyway!!



I put my camera away after I took these pictures of Mike Leake. It was hot and I just wanted to enjoy watching the game. Thank goodness they won so it made sitting at the hot humid game worth it!!

We decided no more August games for now on. We're thinking spring and fall are the best times to come. Guess, we'll see next year!

Cincinnati Weekend

We finally made it to Cincinnati over the weekend. I had tentatively planned to go to the St. Louis series in July because it was the same weekend as a flea market in Burlington, Kentucky but it didn't work out. This was a much better series with the Pittsburgh Pirates but no flea. Oh well, maybe next year. The Reds were in first place in the Central and the Pirates 3.5 games back going into the series. So, obviously a big series. It didn't disappoint.

We left Friday morning and made great time. Seth slept most of the way and missed lunch so we ordered a pizza before even going to the ballpark. this worked out perfectly since the food at Great American is just so so. I thought the gates opened two hours before the game so we left for the ballpark around 4:30.

One of my favorite views. Rounding the curve with the city in view.

The Cincinnati skyline has changed a lot in the twenty years we have been visiting.

Crossing the Ohio River.

We got there before five o'clock but the gates didn't open until 5:30 so we waited. We're used to getting to the ball game before the gates open. It was good to see a crowd already gathered too!

We made our way in, watched the Pirates' batting practice and found our seats. For the first time Seth didn't go to get any autographs. The lineup for Friday's game. Notice: no Votto (DL after knee surgery), no Phillips (injured calf), and no Bruce (terrible stats against the left handed pitcher.) Hmmm, I wasn't sure if the Reds could win without their best players.

It was pretty hot but there was a slight breeze occasionally. Thank goodness for the glorious clouds!!

The breeze off the river was great but it was pretty much blocked from our seats.

When the sun did appear for a few minutes before the game started I walked around to watch some of Reds Live. We pretty much watch this most nights before the games so it was interesting to see it taped live.

Our seats were in the outfield so we had a good view of the outfield players. Both games we went to were sell outs! The Pirates best player Andrew McCutchen played center field.

Luckily, the Reds pitching shut him down and he wasn't a factor in the series.

Mat Latos pitched for the Reds. And pitch he did.

Chris Heisey hit an in the park home run which is almost unheard of in Great American. This made the score 1-0.

Mat Latos pitched well. Every time a Reds' pitcher struck out a player fire came out of the smoke stacks.

Not only did Mat Latos pitch well but he hit a  two run home run!!

Luckily, we got to see Aroldis Chapman come in to save the game.

One of his pitches was 102 miles per hour!

And this one belongs to the Reds!!