I Scream, You Scream

April 26, 2008

We all scream for Ice Cream!!

What a game! Despite being a die-hard Nationals fan, I found my allegiances tested last night strictly due to birth and a well-etched upbringing in a Cubbie household. I was horrified to find myself cheering when a Nat was thrown out or struck out or a Cub laced a hit. Then I’d notice the white or gray uniform and correct myself. We watched the game with our Chicago-relocated Wildfire restaurant friends who treated us to a crab claw and Kim Crawford dinner just before the game. Mmmmmm!! So we had opposing rooting going on behind the barn with Mr. Chatter and me in our red and them in Cubbie blue. As the game began, my phone chirped to announce a text message from my brother taunting me on the Cubs being the reason for good attendance. I haven’t heard a peep from him since October! Nice how baseball bonds families together! Funny, he didn’t respond to any of my texts after the game…

The close game started out with Nick Johnson giving the Nationals a two run lead in the bottom of the first inning with a two-out home run to the seats in right. By the 5th inning, the game was tied 2-2. In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that I’d love current backup catcher Wil Nieves even more if he threw more baserunners out. Lo and behold, he got one last night! I just took for granted his oft-mentioned weak hitting wasn’t the reason for his presence on the team.

Mike O’Connor pitched for the second night in a row, and unfortunately, only faced one batter in the 8th, my brother’s look-alike, Matt Murton. I’m thinking those intentional walks (batter before him) don’t seem to be working out so far. Chef Steven and I battled out shouting advice to our players projected on the barn.

Chef Steven: “Do not swing!”

Me: “Oh c’mon – he’s a very good pitcher! Go Mike!”

And Murton listened to Steven and didn’t swing, drawing a walk with the bases loaded to score the 3-3 tying run. Argh.

I wasn’t wearing my Mr. Walk-Off shirt last night as the Nats haven’t won any games I’ve worn it for. I was beginning to think it was a jinx, but it would have been appropriate last night, only with the wrong player’s silhouette. With the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 9th, Austin Kearns singled and Willie Harris struck out. Spunky Wil Nieves entered the batter’s box and performed as no one expected, belting a homer to right to lift the Nats over the hot Cubs 5-3!

Chef Steven, who speaks fluent Spanish, informed me that Nieves means ice cream. I’m not sure I believe him (isn’t ice cream two words?!). Either way, I was screaming for Ice Cream last night! He has fun behind the plate and I’ll be bummed to see him go when Lo Duca returns. Can’t something be done about that?

p.s. (post-game sidenote) During the Nats XTra’s postgame show, tonight’s pitching matchup was discussed, but Debbi Taylor said “Victor Zambrano”. Salty Chef Steven yelled, “It’s not Victor!” Nope, Carlos Zambrano would be the starting pitcher Matt Chico will face tonight. I also have to give props to Cub Reed Johnson for his amazing catch in center last night that sent him sliding head first into the wall. Bummer for us, but impressive nonetheless.

Posted in Gameday, MLB, Washington Nationals