Complete-Game Victory

THREE YEARS ago, the then-youngest member of the Shallow Center household took in her first ballgame and made it through just one inning -- albeit a long inning -- before we had to cart her home to bed. Since then I've continued to take her to a game or two a year, and she's slowly been building up her ballpark stamina. Yesterday, I'm proud to say, she made it through all nine innings of the Phillies' 5-1 win over Pittsburgh. I will grant you that food -- a hot dog, a soft pretzel, a chocolate ice cream cone with sprinkles, a bottle of lemonade -- played a large role in the amount of fun she had, but she also kept her head in the game to a reasonable degree. She asked about the score often, she clapped and cheered wildly when the Phillies scored, and she was completely psyched when Jose Mesa (!) recorded the final out. If any of you childless readers have ever wondered whether you could have fun with a 5-year-old, I'm here to tell you that the answer is an emphatic yes.

As for the game itself, there was a lot to like. Kyle Kendrick turned in his best performance of the season, Jimmy Rollins was awfully studly keeping Chase Utley's three-hole warm, and Chris Coste once again delivered a key hit. (Seriously, what does this guy have to do to keep his roster spot? All he does is perform.) I know, I know -- it's only the Pirates. But a sweep is a sweep, and with the Mets suddenly  just three-and-a-half up, anything the team can do to tread water successfully until Utley's return would help tremendously.

This being the Phillies, there was, of course, bad news, in the form of a shoulder injury that could end Ryan Madson's season. Can anyone tell me why the Phils are so insanely injury-prone? If I had someone to blame for all of this bad luck, perhaps I'd feel just a smidgen better about it all.

Or maybe I just need to take my favorite 5-year-old back to the ballpark for a dog and a pretzel to feel better.

Comments

[Bill]

TD,

I took my three kids to the game on Sunday too and it was great. I agree that my wallet was a lot lighter at the end of the day but what a great time we had!

As for the injuries, now Victorino and Bourne might be hurt. I wish I knew whose fault it is...I blame Ben Chapman and those racist yahoos from 1947...karma is a bitch isn't it?!?

[Tom Goodman]

That's all she ate???!!! You got off lightly.

[Tom Durso]

Believe me, TG, she was asking for more food ...

Bill: The baseball gods hate us.