Skid's 2015 Dream Season

July 12 - HOME GAME #46 vs Arizona Diamondbacks (42-44)

In the last game before the All*Star break Jonathan Niese (4-8) faces Rubby De La Rosa (6-4). What a great baseball name!

47-42

Lets Go Mets! The last game before the All*Star break was historic for Kirk Nieuwenhuis as the Mets outfielder crushed 3 home runs in his first 3 at bats. Kirk was designated for assignment earlier this season, traded to the Angels, then reacquired by the Mets. Although Kirk was the tenth Met hitter to homer three times in a game, he was the first to do it at home. Jon Niese pitched 6.2 innings allowing 5 hits and 3 runs. He struck out 3 and walked none for his second consecutive win. The Mets go into the break two games behind first place Washington in the Eastern Division and one game behind Chicago for the 2nd wild card spot. Not bad for a team that has had so many injuries to key players.

Ticket Cost: $93
Time of game: 2:44
Attendance: 28,259

Game #46 view

We had first row seats in the Caesar's Gold area behind home plate and just above the Hyundai club seats we were in Friday. Being a season ticket holder, Deb and I are allowed to enter the ballpark a half hour ahead of the gates opening on Sat & Sun. It's a bit fun to walk up to the front of the waiting lines outside the rotunda and go through the turnstiles practically alone. The ballpark is empty and food and beverage is just being setup. It is a bit eerie walking through the quiet stadium but it's not long before the rest of the day's crowd catches up and fills the park.

Longest tenured Mets pitcher

It was awesome watching more Mets history with Nieuwenhuis' three clouts. In his last at bat for possibly home run #4, unfortunately Kirk struck out. Daniel Murphy added a solo shot in the 3rd inning. That gave the Mets 9 homers in the three games against Arizona. It was the first time a team had swept another and scored all their runs on home runs since 1960. Not bad for a team struggling to get hits and runs. I hope the break does not lose the team's newfound long ball ability.

Murphy crosses the plate after his HR

Kirk Nieuwenhuis' 3rd home run

This was Deb's last game before heading back home to California. She is proud of her 6-3 record while here. All were series sweeps - the Mets over the Reds and Diamondbacks while losing 3 to the Cubs. My wife has learned how tough it is to have the job of fulltime baseball fan. Certainly she will not miss my schedule of arriving early, staying late and wandering around the park before the game starts. I look forward to no more game selfies.

I was awakened this morning by a text from our son stating that their second daughter arrived around 4am California time. I knew that I would miss Thea's birth while in New York but Deb missed being there by a week. After this great adventure of my Dream Season in New York I can't wait to get back home to California and be Grandpa to my two sweet little granddaughters.

Thea Renee Tillotson Our newest addition to the family