Every year, interleague weekend falls on my birthday weekend, so we always plan to go to one of the games in the Beltway Series.  This year, the Nats were playing the O’s in Baltimore, so I was looking forward to heading out to Camden Yards.  As much as I love the new Nationals Park, Camden Yards will always hold a special place in my heart.  It is such a great ballpark!  We arrived there about an hour early to walk around and check things out.  Unfortunately, it was pouring rain, so we knew there was definitely going to be a rain delay.

We waited for an hour during the rain delay, eating, drinking and watching the Brewers/Red Sox game.  Since it looked like the rain was not going to let up any time soon, we decided to head home.  I was so bummed because we had great seats and I knew that the Nats would pull out a win this game after losing the last two.

Of course traffic was miserable for the ride from Baltimore to Reston, but by the time we were close to home, the second hour of rain delay was over, and we were able to listen to most of the game on the radio.  John Lannan pitched an incredible game!  He pitched into the seventh inning and only gave up one run on four hits.  Christian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman helped him out too.  Guzman hit a nice home run in the third inning and Zim drove Lopez in with a RBI double in the eighth inning.  So, the Nats did end up winning 2 – 1.  We are going to one of the games when the Orioles come to town at the end of June, so I will just hope to see another winning game then! 

Finally, Darren and I had baseball weather for one of our games.  We headed out to the Pirates game on Sunday under sunny skies and with temperatures in the 70s.  What a great day to be at the ballpark and since the Nats had won 2 of the last 3 games against the Pirates, we were feeling pretty confident that it was going to be a good game!

The Nats did not disappoint us.  Tim Redding had a great outing, giving up just one run and not allowing any walks.  Then reliever Saul Rivera came in for the seventh inning and kept us ahead.  There were two guys in scoring position, but Rivera was able to get the next batters to hit right back to him, and just like that we were out of the jam!  

The Nationals went on to defeat the Pirates, 5-2, mostly because of our pitching, but there were also some great hits in the game!  We scored two runs in the first inning off Pittsburgh starter Ian Snell.  Both Nick Johnson and Austin Kearns had RBI singles.  Then Aaron Boone, who was filling in for Zim, scored his first home run of the season in the fourth inning, and Felipe Lopez had a nice RBI single in the seventh, driving Willie Harris home.  To top off the game, Wily Mo came in with a RBI double in the eighth inning.  An inch higher and it would have been a home run, but what a great end to the game!

 

 

Since it was such a nice day, Darren and I  walked around the ballpark during the game and caught the views of the field from other areas.  We decided to check out the Red Porch and got some nice pictures from up there.

 

Now, we hit the road again, so it is off to Houston.  And then back home next weekend to face the Marlins.  I hope we can keep this winning streak going…Let’s Go Nats! 

Well, April turned out to be a tough month for the Nationals, but by the time Darren and I headed to our next game against the Cubs, things were starting to look a little better.  It is always fun to see the Cubs play and of course there were plenty of Chicago fans in attendance.  The weather was still rainy and cold, but we were ready for a good game and it sure turned out to be one!

 

I didn’t get many good pictures this time.  I was too focused on staying warm and of course watching the game.  But I did get one of Teddy taking the lead during the Presidents’ Race.  I really thought this was going to be his night, but somehow there was a banana in his way and he slipped before he could cross the finish line.  You’ll get them next time Teddy!

So, back to the game…John Lannan did a great job on the mound.  He threw seven shutout innings and was able to get himself out of some jams when the Cubs did have men on base.  Since Paul Lo Duca was still on the disabled list, Wil Nieves was behind the plate as catcher.  He and Lannan seemed to make a great team, plus he was batting .500 when he entered the game.  I really like this guy!  I don’t know what is going to happen when Lo Duca comes off the DL, but I sure hope Manny Acta keeps him around!  Jon Rauch came in and got his fourth save of the season, and the Nats were able to beat the Cubs, 2-0. 

Winning the game meant we got our second series win of the season, but more importantly I think it was a big boost to the players.  Zimmerman ended up coming out of his slump at the next game against the Braves.  He went 3-for-4 and helped the Nats win that game.  Now that is the Zim we know and love!  Felipe Lopez ended up saving the day with his RBI single on Wednesday against the Braves.  Then, Austin Kearns had a big night last night against the Pirates.  He had two hits and his single in the bottom of the eighth inning helped the Nationals win the game.  So, we have a nice little winning streak going on right now.  Darren and I are heading to the Pirates game on Sunday, and I hope we get to see another win then.  Let’s go Nats!