Not exactly how the Mets drew up their first game in Citi Field ending.
The Mini Recap
Mike Pelfrey struggled early, allowing a home run to Jody Gerut to lead off the game. Pelfrey took a tumble off the mound in the second inning, and allowed three runs to score with two outs. The Mets scratched back, capped off by a three-run home run by David Wright.
The game came down to an error and a balk in the sixth inning. Ryan Church couldn’t track down a fly ball and Luis Rodriguez ended up on third base. Two outs later, Pedro Feliciano flinched, a balk was called, and the Padres scored the eventual game winner. The Mets threatened only once, but couldn’t scratch out another run.
Here are some nuggets of info from the gameday press pass for tonight’s game…
Tom Seaver will throw the first pitch to Mike Piazza.
On hand for tonight’s game: Rusty Staub, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry and John Franco.
The Broadway cast of West Side Story will perform the National Anthem.
200 veterans will be on the field in a pre-game ceremony to unveil a football-field size American flag.
Four F-18 Hornets will fly over as the National Anthem comes to a close.
Sgt. Felix Perez, the wounded solider who was in the clubhouse after the Team USA WBC win over Puerto Rico, will be in attendance tonight as a guest of the Mets ownership.
The Empire State Building will be lit up in orange and blue.
The game will be broadcast in front of SNY’s studios and will also be carried on the ABC SuperSign above the Good Morning America studios in Times Square.
The Mets are 30-17 all time in home openers. (0-2 at the Polo Grounds, 30-15 at Shea Stadium.)
When a draft of the schedule was released to the Mets last August or September, this game was originally scheduled for Tuesday. But they asked the Padres if they would be amenable to playing Monday to give them two chances to play the game should there be a rainout. [Dave] Howard said Sandy Alderson, the Padres’ former chief executive, agreed, as long as the game would be played at night.
Interesting. Hope everyone enjoys the game tonight, on TV or in person. It looks like it’s going to be nice, albeit chilly, tonight.
Also, if you are staying home for the game, drop by around 6:30 p.m. to chat about the game with some other fans.
FLUSHING, N.Y., April 11, 2009 - The New York Mets today announced that Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver will throw out Citi Field's inaugural ceremonial first pitch to All-Star catcher Mike Piazza prior to the Mets Home Opener, this Monday, April 13 vs. the San Diego Padres at 7:10 p.m.
Seaver, the club's all-time leader in wins, ERA, strikeouts, and innings pitched, will be reunited with Piazza, who ranks second in team history in home runs and RBI. Seaver and Piazza closed the centerfield gate following the Mets final game at Shea Stadium September 28 last year.
The cast of the Broadway revival West Side Story will perform the National Anthem. The uniquely New York classic opened on Broadway in 1957 when New York had two National League baseball teams.
More than 200 veterans representing all five U.S. Armed Services - Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy - will be on the field during the presentation of a football field-size American flag. The Anthem will conclude with a flyover by four U.S. Marine F18 Hornets from VMFA 251 based in Beaufort, S.C.
The Empire State Building will light its world-famous tower in orange and blue to commemorate the opening of the Mets' new home. Monday's 7:10 p.m. game will be broadcast live in Rockefeller Center at SNY's Studios and carried on ABC Television's SuperSign above their Good Morning America studio in the heart of Times Square.
Emphasis mine.
Please, just for a moment imagine Jake Peavy and the Padres facing off against Johan Santana and the Mets, snapping and dancing in this video.
It’s quite humorous if you have a vivid imagination.
Citi Field officially opens it’s door for the first of many regular season games tonight. The San Diego Padres are visiting and the New York Mets will send Mike Pelfrey to the mound.
Two weeks ago, I had the chance to get into Citi Field for the first time for the college game between St. Johns and Georgetown. While I was there, I was snapping photos left and right. Here is a rundown of links to all the posts about Citi Field.
With the San Diego Padres and New York Mets set to square off for the first regular season game in Citi Field history tonight, I asked my Twitter followers what they are most excited to see at the new ballpark.
Here are the responses…
kerelcoop said: Since I've already been there once, I would say Seaver/Piazza 1st pitch.
djeffreys said: David Wright hitting the first homer in Citi Field (regular season) history.
ProctorsArm said: I'm most excited to see My Mets on the field. (ed. note: He always jokes about “My Mets” even though he’s a Yankee fan. I think he wants to convert.)
Not on Twitter? Hit the comments to put in your 2¢.
Follow me on Twitter to participate in the next Twitter Poll!
Just alerting you to a blog redesign that I’ve been working on for a few weeks. It been implemented, so you might need some time to get used to it. I hope not, but check it out, click around and let me know what you think.
I wanted something fresh and new, and I really like the final product. I’m trying to put more “Mets” stuff in and around the site.
All critiques and comments are welcome. Please either shoot me an e-mail or comment below.
A pitchers duel that went down to the final out, but for the Mets it was too little, too late.
The Mini Recap
Johan Santana squared off against Josh Johnson, and both pitchers brought their A games. The game only lasted a tad over two hours, but unfortunately for the Mets, a misplay in left field cost them the game. Daniel Murphy flubbed a can of corn on the warning track, allowing a run to score. Another run followed on a single.
