The stars were finally in alignment as yesterday marked the first time in my entire life that I witnessed a walk-off win (actually I once passes up two free Red Sox tickets from my boss to a game that would end with Big Papi's walk-off homer, just because I couldn't find anyone to go with me. faily fail)! Too bad it wasn't the Sox, but I'd take it anyway.

Last night lh and I went to an Astros game as the Phillies was in town. It was lh's third and my first trip to Minute Maid Park. I'm still far from an Astros fan but they've now started to grow on me after this wonderful night.

I have to admit, as awesome as my Fenway experiences go, that watching baseball in “American most beloved ballpark" makes me more and more a masochist. You see, I would be totally thrilled just to be allowed in the park, no matter where I end up sitting and how much the seat costs.

For example, even if I am able to buy tickets at their face values to some games (thank you, the economy recession), a seat at the end of RF or beside the green monster would cost $50 or $90, respectively. In Minute Maid Park, however, $50 would easily land me in a DUGOUT seat, not to mention all those discount programs. Plus they always have promotions going on. For example, last night we got two 300th homer tees. On Monday the gifts will be aprons. Not that I need a tee or apron, it shows that the club actually appreciates ME, an average Joe, coming to the game. And there are stadium attendants greeting fans before and AFTER the game at the gates. They also give out lots of souvenirs during innings. The players sign baseballs for kids and actually acknowledge fans (Every time Carlos Lee walked back to the dugout after innings and some fans called him, he pointed at them like 'zup, man?'. When we passed by the lobby one hour before the game, Hunter Pence was signing autographs and taking pictures with fans - If I hadn't known he is a fan favorite before, I would have known it then, just by the star-struck looks on those girls' faces!).

Anyways, after getting lh a personal pizza and myself two hot dogs (I couldn't believe there are better hot dogs in this world than Fenway Franks, but sadly, there are), we settled down in our seats, 10 rows behind the home dugout and right between home plate and 1st base, happy as two clams. The Phillies were still having their batting practice. After a while, they retreated to their dugout and the Astros came out again to have some simple warm-ups. The trainers helped some players to prepare by stretching their legs to some degree that I was like: God I couldn't even do THAT back when I was a wee kid! After the national anthem, the players taking on the field and the miniature train moving along the track, the game was finally on.

Being a fake baseball fan, I didn't know any Astros players except for Tajada. As the line-up went I took some silly mental notes like Bourn is a good lead-off man and yeah he can certainly steal bases (in fact that's his NL-leading 50th steal), there's a Matsui here too, Lance Berkman is probably the most beloved Astros player if the applause and cheers he got were of an indication, the heart of their lineup is B (erkman)-L(ee)-T(ajada), and so on. The high point? Pence is definitely the darling of the female fans, and his bat, OH HIS BAT, is definitely as smoking hot as the kid himself is. At one point in the second inning I halfheartedly complained to lh asking when we were gonna to see runs. A few seconds later (LITERALLY!) Pence hit a two- run homer to the center field. I was absolutely dumbfounded in my seat. OMG he heard me!

Just like that, Pence added another RBI single in the 3rd to drive in Berkman, as the Astros starting pitcher, their ace Roy Oswalt was lights out. Things got a little bit boring as neither side could score in the following three innings, but thankfully they got ball girls and the Mascot Junction Jack (God is that a bunny, of all animals?) to keep us entertained between innings. It only took 1.5 hours for the
first six innings.

In the 7th, however, things went south for the Astros. Oswalt somehow got himself a tight back and gave up 2 hits before leaving the game - he only gave up 2 hits in total in the first 6 innings. He had been awesome as awesome could be and his performance definitely earned my standing applause. But unfortunately for Oswalt, I don't want it sounds too harsh, his bullpen kinda sucked. The three relievers combined for 2-inning's work and gave up four runs, two of which were on Oswalt, as the Phillies took the lead in the 8th. The Phillies also loaded the bases in that inning, but apparently when I pouted to lh saying I hadn't seen a double play, the Astros heard me again and finished the inning with a beautiful double play.

I'm not a snitch but I have to be honest to my blog that lh actually wanted to leave in the 9th, suggesting watching the bottom half in the hallway so we could beat the traffic once the inning was over. I said to him what if the Astros came back to tie the game? we are gonna have extra innings. He rolled his eyes like yeah right. Nevertheless, I won out and we stayed in our seats and would never regret for this decision.

The Astros closer Jose Valverde came out for the top of the 9th and pitched like a rock star. Well, he might not be as snarly as Paps, but boy was he dominant. He got a clean 1-2-3 inning and the rest of the business was left to the bats to take care. Sadly Pence struck out swinging (the kid just swung at anything!). But the next batter walked. A hit and another walk later, bases were loaded with only 1 out.

By the way, I have to say, man, the crowd was close to dead before baseloaded. I cannot believe everyone (at least in our section and nearby ones) remained sitting in the 9th. How could they still be able to sit in the 9th? Not to mention the fact that the team was down only 1 run! The 9th inning shall never be watched sitting. This should be a mandate rule or something. For this I have to give it to the Fenway. I don't recall once I watched a 9th inning sitting in that ballpark, even if it's a blow-out on the Sox.

Anyways, I stood up and the good people behind me also stood up (I sincerely hope it wasn't just because I blocked their view. lol). But Bourn was ground into fielder's choice and the tying run was out at the home plate. Bases still loaded but only one final out left. Everyone was like uh-oh so the game is over? Big NO. Matsui came up big and saved the night. He singled to right center, the ball dropping quickly to the no man's land. Two runs was in as the Astros had the walk-off win!

The jubilant players swamped from the dugout to the home plate to welcome their comerades home, and then to first base to congratulate Matsui. They jumped up and down, hugged with a lot of back-pounding and butt-clapping, and grinned to each other like fools. Poor Matsui forgot to take off his helmet and took a lot of big hits on it, but I think he totally enjoyed it. The crowd was electrified, dancing and clapping and chanting and high-fiving total strangers.

You see, that's exactly why you watch sports. Really. One victory like this could make you (temporarily, at least) forget all those heart-breaking nights. Even if you are not a real fan of this team, you would be still truly happy for the players and the fans from the bottom of your heart. You would still want to bottle all those smiles, all those laughter, and all those gleeful faces for later use in a raining day.