In the first inning, it appeared the Phillies might dominate: a one-out single by SS Didi Gregorius; a two-out hit-by-pitch (C J.T. Realmuto); and a two-out walk to CF Odubel Herrera loaded the bases. At this point, Gray had thrown 19 pitches \u2013 11 out of the strike zone.\u00a0 Gray toughened up and stuck out 1B Alex Bohm swinging (on five pitches) and, from that point, it was game on<\/em>.<\/p>\n After that first inning, Gray pitched five scoreless frames, giving up no hits and just one walk (three whiffs) in those frames.\u00a0 Phillies starter Nola was even batter, working eight scoreless innings \u2013 four hits, one walk and eight strikeouts. The game was 1-0 Phillies after 8 1\/2 innings, with the only scoring coming on a home run by number-nine hitter \u00a03B Yadier Munoz (his second of the season). The Phillies brought Brad Hand in for the save, but the Nationals used a walk, a ground out (with the runner advancing) and a single by PH Lane Thomas to tie it up.\u00a0 The Phillies scored the \u201cgifted runner\u201d in the top of the tenth on a single by pinch hitter Rhys Hoskins (pinch hitters made the managers look good that day).\u00a0 The Phils went on to load the bases with one out, but did not score again. A 1-2-3- bottom of the tenth\u00a0 by reliever Seranthony Dominguez gave the Phillies the win.<\/p>\n My Scorecard Blank in the Tenth<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n My scorecard went blank in the top of the tenth inning.\u00a0 (Maybe it\u2019s just old school, but I refuse to recognize a gifted runner<\/em> on my scorecard.)<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Now, a bit about the Nationals Park experience.\u00a0 Normally, I see at least a couple of games at parks I comment on (usually as part of a Ballpark Tours adventure).\u00a0 This, however, was a one-game visit, so the commentary will be a bit shorter than in the past.<\/p>\n First, getting to the ball park.\u00a0 Despite its urban location, access\u00a0 – once you got near the park – was not difficult (the freeways leading to the area were another story).\u00a0 Traffic, with the assist of police officers at intersections, move fairly well. Parking, however, \u00a0is expensive (we paid $40 to part about two blocks from the ballpark, which seemed to be a common rate nearby). There is, however, good Metro service to the area (the Navy Yard Station is just a block away from the ballpark). \u00a0\u00a0If you want to add to your experience, there also \u00a0is \u00a0water taxi service from Old Town to Diamond League Pier (directly across from the ballyard).<\/p>\n Pre-Game Meeting<\/strong><\/p>\n Nationals Park is located in the Capitol Riverfront area near the Navy Yard \u2013 \u00a0and, if you arrive early (I\u2019d suggest it) you will find ample opportunities for pre-game food, libations and entertainment.<\/p>\n The Ballpark<\/strong><\/p>\n One thing to note about Nationals Park: It does not pay homage to innovative or even eye-catching architecture.\u00a0 There really are no architectural features that will grab your attention.\u00a0 It is a ballpark, pure and simple.\u00a0 That understood, the sight lines are good, the seating and aisles are well-placed, \u00a0there are ample restrooms and moving about the park (and finding what you may be looking for) is easy.\u00a0 It\u2019s a good place to watch a ballgame. Now for a few more specifics.<\/p>\n The ballpark has six entry gates (not counting the media and suite gate) and it is \u00a0well set up to handle ticket holders efficiently. The day we were there, the attendance topped 42,000 and there were no long lines or delays getting into the park.\u00a0 If you enter through the Home Plate Gate, you can take in the nearby bronze statues of Josh Gibson, Frank Howard and Walter Johnson.<\/p>\n While walking the concourse, I came across the Family Picnic Area (Right Field, Sections 142) – a fan- and family-friendly spot with picnic tables available on a first-come\/first-serve bases.<\/p>\n A tour of the concourse will also give you a chance to check out the wide array of concessions \u2013 you\u2019ll find everything from traditional ballpark fair (sausages, burgers, pizza) to options like lobster rolls, barbeque and even freshly shucked oysters.\u00a0\u00a0 For dessert? There\u2019s everything from soft-serve ice cream to Dippin\u2019 Dots to gelati to funnel cakes. Among the concessions recommended by the locals I talked to were: \u00a0Ben\u2019s Chili Bowl<\/strong> \u2026 the \u201cHalf Smoke,\u201d a quarter-pound sausage of half beef\/half pork smothered in Ben\u2019s special-recipe chili; Medium Rare<\/strong> \u2026 steak, fries and secret sauce smashed in a toasted bun; Haute Dog and Fries<\/strong> \u2026 hot dogs with lots of creative topping combinations; and Jimmy\u2019s Famous Seafood<\/strong>) \u2026 shrimp and crab cake rolls and \u201cCrabby Dogs.\u201d.<\/p>\n The fans at Nationals Park were active, involved and friendly (and some I talked to still hold a \u201cBryce Harper Grudge\u201d).\u00a0 I enjoyed the sea of waving red when the Nationals’ announcer called for fans to wave their caps between innings.\u00a0 As usual (in all my recent ballpark visits), cell phones and selfies outnumbered scorecards.\u00a0 Plenty of fans displayed the Nationals \u201ccolors\u201d on jerseys (Strasburg jerseys were the most prevalent), t-shirts and hats and there was also a strong (and loud) Phillies contingent in the stands.<\/p>\n BetMGM Sportsbook<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Okay I did not go in, but the Nationals partnered with BetMGM to open the first sportsbook at (connected to) an MLB stadium.\u00a0 The keyword here is \u201cat\u201d as opposed to \u201cin.\u201d \u00a0Inside the sportsbook location (just outside of Nationals Park\u2019s center field gate), there are 40 television, a bar (with pub food) and multiple betting windows and kiosks. \u00a0While fans don\u2019t \u00a0have access to the sportsbook facility while in the stadium (remember that \u201cat\u201d not \u201cin\u201d distinction) they, are \u00a0able to bet from their seats using the BetMGM app. The app can be used to make wagers within a two-block radius of Nationals Park <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In a statement earlier this year, Lerner Sports Group Chief Operating Officer Alan Gottlieb said “The BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park represents the newest way in which we are providing our fans with the best experiences in sports and entertainment. Upon its opening, the Sportsbook immediately becomes one of the neighborhood’s premier venues for the savvy bettor and casual fan to watch the top events in an upscale and electric atmosphere.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n (Hmmm! Not sure how I feel about this, would love to hear from readers.)<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Finally, when you leave the park, you may want to stop by one of the local food and drink establishments to left the crowds and traffic disperse.\u00a0 We stopped long enough for one libation and our drive away from the park was painless.<\/p>\n So, there is a look at Nationals Park.\u00a0 As noted, there are no spectacular architectural features or views \u2013 no McCovey Cove, no Roberto Clemente Bridge, no Green Monster, no fountains beyond right field.\u00a0 However, it is a fan-friendly ballpark with good sight lines, a wide concourse and plenty of concession offerings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/NPwark.jpg\")
<\/a>Before I get a brief review of Nationals Park a bit about the game. As noted, I was there on Saturday, June 18 \u2013 with the Nationals hosting the Phillies,\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t expecting a very competitive contest.\u00a0 The Phillies were on a four-game winning streak, had won eight of their past ten and had been 14-2 since June 1, The Nationals were headed in the opposite direction, coming into the game on a seven-game losing streak and 5-12 since June 1.\u00a0 On the hill for the Phillies was veteran righty Aaron Nola – \u00a04-4, 3.42 on the season, but 4-0, 2.45 over his last four starts. \u00a0For the Nationals it was righthander Josiah Gray in his second big-league season, with a 6-4, 4.33 record on the season.<\/p>\n<\/a>A particularly promising pre-game meeting spot is The Bullpen \u2013 a stone\u2019s (or baseball\u2019s) throw from the ballpark. This enclosed, but outdoor, venue offers music, adult beverages and food trucks \u2013 in a loud and lively atmosphere. If you want something a bit more subdued, there are plenty of alternatives nearby.<\/p>\n<\/a>Once inside, I\u2019d recommend walking the wide main concourse — which conveniently is open all the way around the field of play.\u00a0 You can take in the tributes to the heroes of Washington D.C. baseball past and present (Nationals, Senators and Expos) as well as murals acknowledging current Nationals players.<\/p>\n<\/a>I went with the Shrimp Roll from Jimmy\u2019s Famous Seafood \u2026 and it was a solid choice. A just right sauce and lots of jumbo shrimp.\u00a0 The shrimp reminded from a line in The Big Bang Theory<\/strong> about casino cocktail shrimp the size of a baby\u2019s arm.<\/em> When it comes to food options, Nationals Park rates high. I did not visit any of the \u201csit-down\u201d locations.<\/p>\n<\/a>As always, I am including a Bloody Mary review in my commentary on the ballpark.\u00a0 The Nationals could do a little work here.\u00a0 I stopped first at the District of Cocktails<\/em>, but they were out of Bloody Mary mix (and this was pre-game).\u00a0 I did get a Bloody Mary at the Center Field Cocktail Counter<\/em>.\u00a0 It was basically one carefully measured shot of vodka topped with bottled mix, not high on my list. On the flip side, for beer lovers, there are multiple District Drafts<\/em> locations with plenty of solid craft beer options.\u00a0 In addition, there are the Devils Backbone Left Field Lodge<\/em>, Budweiser Terrace Bar<\/em> and Budweiser Brew House<\/em> \u2026 comfortable places to gather and share an adult beverage.<\/p>\n<\/a>Okay, I hate to be picky, but I did find one significant (for me) shortcoming).\u00a0 The Nationals sell \u00a0a scorecard for one dollar.\u00a0 It is a stiff paper scorecard, the size of an 8 \u00bd x 11 inch piece of paper folded in half. Not a lot of room for notations, but more important \u2013 there is no listing of the players or numbers<\/strong> .\u00a0 (It doe include scoring tutorial\u00a0 on the bag cover.)<\/p>\n<\/a>Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 1oo Baseball Blogs.\u00a0 To see the full list, click\u00a0here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nI tweet baseball @DavidBBRT<\/h3>\n