There will be a game at PNC Park Wednesday (10/7/15)

With one day left for the MLB season yesterday (Oct. 3, 2015) Pittsburgh Pirates (97:64) was one game ahead of Chicago Cubs (96:65).  If Pirates loses and Cubs wins the last game, then Pirates will lose the home field at PNC Park for the one-game wild card game on Oct. 7.  The stakes are high; we have to go; we got to go; we went.

Judging from the fact that the gigantic “waves” ran through the entire ball park more than 5 or 6 times, the PNC Park was a happy place this afternoon (3PM to 6PM); euphoric, Jolly Roger waving, noisy hand-clapping, loud laughing, even louder shouting, everything but silent.  Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 4 to 0, clinching the home field.  It has been my observation that the attempt of making “waves” can never succeed unless host’s team is winning; a collective euphoric and exuberant mood is a prerequisite for making the “waves”.

While singing “Take me out to the ball game” before the bottom of the 7^th inning, I was thinking about Chicago Cubs, as the tradition of singing this song began in the Cubs field long ago.  But I have been keeping an eye on the MLB score boards from the very beginning of the game.  Cubs was playing with the Brewers at Milwaukee.  Cubs scored 3 at the first inning and eventually beat the Brewers 3 to 1, at which time Pirates was winning 4 to 0 in the 8^th inning.  Pirates had no choice but winning.

Now Pittsburghers can sing “Take me out the ball game” at PNC Park, not Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The closer, Mark Melancon (with a major league-high 51 saves--see photo below), came out to close the game even it was not a “save” situation as Pirates was leading 4 to 0.

A very nice gentleman showed us a photo of us in his camera (with lens as long as your arm, a professional one), asking our email so he can send us the photos of us. One of the photos shows both Katy and I are busy “in action” with our cameras.  We appreciate his thoughtfulness.

Chicago Cubs will use their ace pitcher, Jake Arrieta, who is 13-1 with an ERA 1.60 on the roads.  Chicago Cubs are 6-4 at PNC Park this season.  It will be a daunting task to face this formidable enemy, but Pirates (53-28 at PNC Park), along with its most loyal fans can manage it to get the job done.  Gerrit Cole will meet the challenge facing Jake Arrieta. Let’s Go Bucs!