Game Day

SUNDAY FUNDAY: We spent a good part of Sunday, Father's Day, at Safeco Field, watching the Mariners take on the Texas Rangers. 

We arrived plenty early, as we wanted to make sure Christian was one of the first 10,000 fathers in attendance so that he could receive a really nifty Seattle Mariners spatula. 

Spatula procured, we then headed for the bullpen, and waited for Mariners personnel to show up. 

Catcher Mike Zunino was the first player out there. But first, he had a protracted talk with coach Rick Waits in the outfield, no doubt about the day's game plan. They both looked quite serious throughout.

Iwakuma was the day's starting pitcher. Mariners trainer Rick Griffin (in the bright blue shirt on the lead picture) kept a watchful eye on Iwakuma during warm ups.  I noticed the pitcher wincing and stretching funny between tosses and told Christian I was worried he wasn't going to make the start. 

Trainer Griffin wound up giving him some kind of back adjustment on the bullpen floor, in front of the bench, just before game time.

Guess it worked, because 'Kuma pitched a gem of a game, allowing only one run in eight innings. Impressive. (I read on the Mariners' Web site today that Iwakuma was, indeed "nearly ... scratched before first pitch because of neck stiffness."

On the offensive side, Kyle Seger was 4-4. That helps the ol' batting average. And here's a long distance shot of Endy Chavez watching a pitch go by. 

Before the game, some of the Texas Rangers were warming up by participating in a practice drill. Not too surprising that the pro athletes were very capable receivers.

 


After the game, we went to Chuck's Central District for some great food truck fare for dinner (muffaletta, fried catfish and amazing ribs by Jemil's Big Easy).

We played a board game too, as per usual. I had perhaps the worst hand in the history of Scrabble.

I didn't win the game, needless to say.


BIG APPLE:   Last month, members of the Expedition 39 crew on board the ISS took this great photo of the middle and southern end of Manhattan. 

It sure shows how big Central Park is (the large green swath in the middle). The white dots in the green are playing fields.  Per NASA, "The two darker zones are where the tallest buildings of Midtown and the Financial District cast long shadows even in this early afternoon view."

We were able to pick out where the rental we stayed in across the Hudson, in NJ, is in this photo. Makes me want to go back!

FURRY BLURRY: This afternoon we took the pups to the vet for some overdue immunizations and a routine exam. They were good little citizens there, but they are a pair of sorry dogs tonight. Those shots really knocked them for a loop, especially poor Laika. Hopefully a good night's sleep will have them back to their obnoxious selves tomorrow.