Unlike the ALDS, we actually had a flyover for this game. This C-130 cargo jet circled so low over the stadium that Michelle thought that terrorists were attacking.
The Angels had the right side of the '80s infield there for the first pitch - Rod Carew tossed the ball to Bobby Grich.
The Big A is still under renovation for the All-Star Game next year. It is so very weird to look out there and see a big hole instead of a cola ad. Unfortunately the Big Halo did not get lit after our win in game 1 of the ALDS. I always like to take a picture of a lit Halo after an Angels victory.
Always nice to see that fans still remember and love Mr. Autry!
All right, first pitch, and Jered Weaver throws... a ball. Meh.
Weaver gave up three runs in five innings, and left with the Angels in a 3-0 hole. Soon after, Howie Kendrick hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth, and Vladdy said "Yes we can!" with a two-run blast in the sixth. The game was tied at the seventh inning stretch when they introduced the crew of the C-130.
I really don't have enough pics of the numbers that the Angels have retired.
Once again, I was so busy watching the game (and our seats were in the nosebleeds) that I didn't get any pics of the action. Oddly enough, I was really tempted to pull out the camera right before Vladdy's two-run shot. We ended up going ahead in the 7th (BRILLIANT move by Mike Scioscia to pinch hit Maicer Izturis for Mike Napoli - Mighty Maicer seems like he's always clutch), but the Yankees tied it in the 8th. I blame this partly on the video crew showing a second Rally Monkey video after we had already taken the lead. Isn't that against the rules?
I'd like to take a moment to point out how much respect the Yankees have for Angels fans. Every time the Angels got any sort of momentum going on offense (i.e. anyone on base at all), they did everything they could to slow the game down. I cannot remember the last time I saw a pitcher throw to first four times in a row so early in the game, so thank you for that, Andy Pettitte. Joe Girardi also got in on the fun, having inserted Mo Rivera into the batting order at one point, and stopping the game to confirm with the umpire that that's what he was doing. All these delays did a good job of getting us fans to sit back down (especially when beer sales stopped an inning earlier than usual) but it didn't knock us out of the game. As usual, Angels fans were up to the occasion, and went nuts when--
--after three more scoreless innings, the Angels finally came through in the bottom of the eleventh when Jeff Mathis knocked in Howie Kendrick to make it a 2-1 series. The folks in the condos across the parking lot were pretty happy about it.
Taking a cue from the Afternoon Angel, I made sure to congratulate a couple of Yankees fans on a great game before heading out. After all, no matter who wins, an eleven inning game won by one run is always a good beisbol game. It made me happy that the first two guys I said "good game" to shook my hand and took my well wishes as they were intended. They both looked to be in their twenties. I find it very interesting that the two older gentlemen that I said "good game" to looked at me like I had just spat on Babe Ruth's grave.
Mr. Autry was all smiles as we made our way back to the parking lot.
One great bonus was realizing that part of the renovation on the Big A is complete; they lit up the Halo! Now instead of a single row of white light, we have a bunch of rows that can go multiple colors.
After thirteen innings Saturday night, and eleven today, I am WIPED. Rest up, Angels fans. The Halos are going to need every cheer we can muster to even this up.
