Observations on last night's fourteen inning Nationals/Phillies game from Section Three-Oh-Waytoofaraway...
...Grown men beaming over their new Cole Hamels bobble-head.
...Way too many fans trying way too hard to make believe that it really was Christmas in July.
...Cole Hamels getting Brian "Phillie Killer" Schneider to swing and miss at three straight change-ups.
...Two rows in front of us, a family shared an entire box of Tastykakes.
...The woman next to me and the man in front of her had a verbal dispute that had to be settled by security guards. After the game, Charlie Manuel said that the game had everything except for a fight. If only he knew how close it came to having one...
...In the tenth inning, a perfectly normal looking man with the responsibility of a family actually suggested that the Phillies bring the next day's starter into the game.
...Jimmy Rollins scoring from home to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. The official scorer ruled it was a triple and an error... What's your opinion? Error and an error? Inside-the-parker? Whatever it was, it was classic Jimmy Rollins.
...An umpire embracing the Phillie Phanatic.
...In extra innings, Charlie Manuel elected to have Aaron Rowand bunt with Ryan Howard on first and Chase Utley on second. Aaron Rowand with the .330 average. Aaron Rowand with the .350 average with runners in scoring position. Aaron Rowand, who hasn't had a bunt attempt since May 17 and had only two all season. Seriously Charlie, when did this become a small-ball team? Truly absurd decision, and the result bore that out as Rowand popped out trying.
...Clay Condrey finished the game with three scoreless innings of work. His effort should not go unnoticed.
...Several rows in front of us, The Worst Porn Name Ever:
...Finally, Ryan Howard's blast to right field to end the game in the bottom of the fourteenth. It was well-worth it to stay until midnight -- a great ending to an odd night. But, I regret to say, I might not be available for today's game.
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Flickr.com user Jim Tryon had much better seats for the game than we did. Here's his footage of Howard's game-winning home run:
