A's-Mariners Game

Last week was the beginning of the MLB season for 2012.  Went out to see the Mariners game.  Ichiro is in the latter years of his career so I want to go out to see him play whenever I have the chance.  So, I jumped on the BART train and headed to the stadium.  Arrived earlier than usual because I wanted to see batting practice before the game.

This is the first year that Ichiro is not hitting lead-off.  His job will be to drive in more runs than getting on base.   Will that happen?  We'll see during the season.  Also, I've heard many times that Ichiro routiely hits batting practice balls into the seats, so I was curious about that.  Sure enough, he launched a bunch of pitches into bleacher seats.  Will Ichiro hit more home runs this year too?  Again, we'll see...

Some fielding practice after batting practice.

 

Munenori Kawasaki, the newest Mariner player from Japan, gets ready for his Major League debut after spending his career in Japan playing for Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.

 

Two young fans rooting for Ichiro and Kawasaki.

Fourth inning explosion as the Mariners score 6 runs!  Ichiro drives in a run with a stand-up triple!

 Classic Ichiro pose standing in the batter's box.

Too bad this was a ground out.  But the Mariners won an exciting game, 8-7!  

Golden Gate Park - Japanese Tea Garden

Went out a couple weeks ago to Golden Gate Park, hoping to see some sakura at the Japanese garden.   The weather was kinda bleh... the skies were gray which doesn't make great photos for me.  I wanted to go about a week later when blossoms were blooming more, but couldn't because of work.    The funny thing is, this is one of those places in SF that I have never visited, even though I lived here my entire life!  Some photos turned out ok, so I hope you enjoy them!