Battle of the Beltway

As part of a new tradition that started after Washington got a new MLB team, the Nationals and Orioles have played in the "Battle of the Beltway" each year since 2006. Every season this series includes six games, with one series in Baltimore and the other in DC. Thus far there have been 31 games (including this season), and Baltimore leads the series 16-15. The Nats have won only one full series against the Orioles in 2007, but the teams have tied three times. This season the Orioles won the first series 2-1 at Camden Yards after an embarrassing first game loss where the Nats racked up 17 runs on 19 hits. The Nats won the second round 2-1 at Nationals Park in June.

A friend of mine in Alexandria, Virginia invited me to join her church for the Saturday afternoon game in this series. With such a large group, the church was able to get a discounted price on the tickets. This season I have been able to go to 4 games, but I have only paid full price for a ticket once.

Our seats had a view of the Washington Monument,

which is behind the lights in the upper right-hand corner.

Oriole pitching.

View of the scoreboard from our seats.

I think that's an important building

in the background- the one with the dome.

Empty stands after the Nats won.

The Washington Monument is

more visible in this photo.

After most everyone left the stands,

I walked around to take some more photos.