Dodgers sweep Padres

Last night, Wendy and I went to Chavez Ravine for our first game of the season. By late summer, we'd usually have gone to four or five games, but we've been on haitus with the baby. It took an offer from our friend Karen to attend free fleece blanket night--in conjunction with moving out of the house to the in-laws and having babysitting--to get us to the ballpark. When we walked up the hill and saw the stadium decorated with likenesses of El Toro, Gibby, The Bulldog, and Piazza, I thought I was going to cry. Beautiful.


We sat in our favorite section--the Top Deck. In the last few years, ticket prices have gone up from 6 bucks to 8 bucks to 9 dollars, but it's still cheaper than going to the movies. You can tell that we are in the second from the uppermost seats, but the view is still great.


We always make the trek to the Reserved section to visit the single concession stand that sells veggie dogs. They're one dollar more than Dodger Dogs, but I feel like I have to support them. The soy weiners aren't bad at all--not chewy or fluffy. Add relish, mustard, and ketchup, and you probably can't even tell the difference.


Pitcher Hiroki Kuroda started smooth, but gave up 10 hits and 4 runs in 5 innings or so. The hitters picked him up and relievers helped him earn a win, though. (I'm hoping my return to the softball mound tonight goes something like that.) Of course, the biggest attraction this season is Man Ram. He's been playing out of his mind since coming over from Boston, but was O-fer with two intentional walks. He made a couple nice defensive plays, though.


On the jumbotron, you can see Manny and Kemp doing the chest bump after Broxton closed out the game. I never get sick of hearing "I Love L.A." at the end of a hockey, basketball, or baseball game.


Afterwards, we walked back down the hill to where we parked the car. Wendy and I refuse to pay 15 bucks to park in a congested lot. For that much, they should wash it. Besides, walking each way makes us feel better about eating stadium food. (Luckily, Karen is on board with us--even if she packs her own food.)


The game was past Eloise's bedtime, but maybe we'll get some shady seats in an afternoon matchup next season... For now, gotta focus on the big series with the D-Backs over the weekend.