In the seventh inning, of course, fans were led in a chorus of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." The only person singing, however, was the public address announcer. Starter Chan-ho Park went five innings and allowed one hit.Ĭraig Stansberry drove in a run with a double in the eighth to cut the lead to 3-2, and Gonzalez followed with a run-scoring double to tie it for the Padres. The Dodgers added another run in the eighth. The Dodgers went ahead in the sixth 2-1 when May singled in Andruw Jones. The Padres tied it in the fourth when Oscar Robles scored from third after Dodgers catcher Lucas May's toss to pitcher Chan Ho Park clipped the bat and skittered across the infield. He also hit a home run to right field in the third inning with one out to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Also of note: Dodgers outfielder George Lombard swung at the first pitch of the game and grounded out. Let history record that the first hit in China went to the Dodgers' John Lindsey in the top of the second, a line shot to left field. "You need a genesis you need a starting point," Selig said. This season's opener is in Tokyo on March 25 with the World Series champion Boston Red Sox facing the Oakland Athletics. Selig said there would be more games in China, and he left open the possibility of a regular-season game. "I am very confident that someday after I'm gone and we do as well as I think we are going to do in China, people will say that's where it all started," he said. Selig took a long look at what transpired. "The between innings entertainment was not unlike what we have in the States." "In general overall the ballpark had a good feel," Padres manager Bud Black said. Fans who arrived early even saw a little glimpse of traditional China: dozens of elderly practicing tai chi near the stadium entrance. Occasional staccato organ music pumped up fans, and the music between innings ranged from Carmen to Latin rhythms to hip-hop. You just felt like you were at a ballpark playing baseball." "The atmosphere was great and the field was in great condition. "You didn't really capture the fact you were in China unless you knew you were in China," said Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, whose wind-blown double in the eighth tied the score. There was one problem: Vendors and concession stands kept running out of drinks, creating long lines before reinforcements arrived. That type of atmosphere made me feel it was more than just an exhibition game."Įxcept for the prices of concessions - a 12 ounce beer cost $1.50 - it seemed like an afternoon at any ballpark in America. There was the attention, the number of media, the number of questions involving being here in China. "In spring training you go out there and you basically practice even though you play a game. "It took on a little bit more than an exhibition game for me today," he said. "It's historic if nothing else," commissioner Bud Selig said.ĭodgers manager Joe Torre said all the hoopla made things feel closer to a regular-season game. And forgive them if they didn't sing along to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Most fans knew so little about the day's events that nobody booed when play was called after nine innings. Not that the result proved all that troubling. It was opening day for baseball in China on Saturday.Īnd the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers left the nearly sellout crowd of 12,224 at the new Olympic venue with an inconclusive outcome - a 3-3 tie in an exhibition game in major league baseball's first foray into China. Blue sky replaced gray smog, and a breeze in left field unfurled China's red flag alongside the Stars and Stripes. BEIJING - The vendors sold peanuts, hot dogs and tea.
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