Gary Dunaier:
On the way to Citi Field, 05/02/18: according to this "On The Go" sign at Times Square, there is no express #7 service to Flushing - but I was able to catch an express train to the ballpark without any problems (IMG_8721)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: a Jacob deGrom fan takes the escalator from the rotunda to the Field Level - he's no doubt happy that deGrom is tonight's starting pitcher (IMG_8728)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: fans sitting around the Shea Stadium Home Run Apple, 50 minutes before scheduled first pitch (IMG_8730)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: 2018 Credentials poster on the wall outside the Scoreboard Operations window on the Excelsior level (IMG_8731a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: before the game, the standings were shown on the outfield ribbon board - at start of play, the Mets were in first place, leading the division by a half game (IMG_8733a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: in the distance is the right field entrance to the Excelsior level seating - if you don't have a 300-level ticket or Foxwoods club access you have to take the escalator to the Promenade level (IMG_8735)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: the Mets' three National League Champion flags flying high above the Coca-Cola Corner (IMG_8738a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: this is the seventh time in team history the Mets held sole possession of first place as they entered the month of May (IMG_8744a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: tonight's starting lineups as shown on the right field scoreboard - the orange bar on the Mets' lineup scrolls down, highlights each player's name and shows a photo of that player (IMG_8748a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: tonight's starting pitchers and their statistics, as shown on the right field scoreboard - Sean Newcomb for Atlanta and Jacob deGrom for New York (IMG_8750a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: it's 7.10pm - let's play ball! (IMG_8755a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: the first pitch of the game is a 91mph Jacob deGrom slider to Ozzie Albies for ball one (IMG_8756a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: Top 1st, 0 out: Ozzie Albies swings at a 90mph Jacob deGrom slider for strike three - it's the first out of the inning and deGrom's first strikeout of the game (IMG_8757a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: stairs leading to section 538, all the way out in left center field on the Promenade level (IMG_8763)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: Top 3rd, 2 out - view of the ballpark as Ozzie Albies swings at a 91mph Jacob deGrom slider for a foul tip, striking out to end the inning - Jacob deGrom has struck out the side (IMG_8770a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: the right field scoreboard, one pitch before the final out (IMG_8778a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: Bottom 9th, 2 out: Todd Frazier connects with a 79mph Peter Moylan slider, grounding out (3B Ryan Flaherty to 1B Freddie Freeman) for the final out of the game - the Mets have just fallen out of first place (IMG_8779a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: the final score, as shown on the right field scoreboard - Atlanta 7, New York 0 (IMG_8784a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: security men take their positions as a lone grounds crew man makes final touchups for a post-game Catch On The Field event, a Fan Experience Package available through the Mets' Group Sales department (IMG_8785a)
Gary Dunaier:
Citi Field, 05/02/18: fans entering on the field to participate in a post-game Catch On The Field event, a Fan Experience Package available through the Mets' Group Sales department (IMG_8787a)
Gary Dunaier:
Mets Team Store at Citi Field, 05/02/18: replica Todd Frazier jersey, $329.99 (IMG_8788a)
Gary Dunaier:
Mets Team Store at Citi Field, 05/02/18: Matt Harvey name-and-number t-shirts, $34.99 or two for $60 - get 'em while you can, because in two days he'll be designated for assignment and in six days he'll be traded to Cincinnati (IMG_8789a)
Gary Dunaier:
Mets Team Store at Citi Field, 05/02/18: commemorative pins with the Rusty Staub memorial patch design, $9.99 (IMG_8791)