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Having a birthday in early March, being able to go to a baseball game on your actual birthday can be pretty hard to come by. 

In 2015, I spent my 20th birthday with the Dodgers and the Indians, that is until we ended up in the emergency room after my mom was hit by a foul ball (see that full story here). Since then, I haven’t had the opportunity to attend a game on my actual birthday. But after five long years of waiting, I got to share my 25th birthday with the Dodgers and Rockies.

This was without a doubt one of the best Spring Training experiences I’ve ever experienced, and I’ve been going every year since 2013. 

Dodgers newcomer David Price started Saturday’s game against the Rockies and two of my favorite Dodgers, Matt Beaty and Luke Raley, were in the starting lineup. 

Price ended up throwing three hitless innings while walking just one and striking out seven. Meanwhile, the Dodgers offense was on fire to back him up.

Gavin Lux started the onslaught when he scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the first, followed by Beaty getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run. Raley grounded into a force-out, but the third run of the inning scored, which eventually lead to Zach Reks driving in two more with a single to left.

“It’s hard not to notice the level of ability that’s on the team and what that leads to,” said former Rancho Cucamonga Quakes manager and new Oklahoma City Dodgers third base coach Mark Kertenian. “But what’s more impressive is their function together and the work ethic that goes behind it, and typically those are compliments reserved for special teams.”

This was especially noticeable in the second inning, as Max Muncy hit a solo opposite-field shot off of Rockies veteran right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez who, along with the rest of the stadium, just stared as it flew just over the Dodgers bullpen in left field.

That was quickly followed up by a Beaty triple to deep center that drove in Chris Taylor, giving the Dodgers a commanding 7-0 lead in the second. 

“It’s a very good baseball team,” said Kertenian with a chuckle, “And they work really well together. They’re excellent at embracing the new players that have arrived in this camp. I think that they are a very determined group.”

Aside from a Nolan Arenado homer in the sixth, the Dodgers bullpen limited the Rockies to just the one run and only two hits, resulting in a 7-1 rout, making this birthday girl one very happy fan.

It got even better when, as I was leaving the ballpark after the game, I was able to snap a quick photo with SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo and Kertenian.

Talk about a great birthday!

By the way: Being in Arizona during the weekend of the Daylight saving time change is super helpful!

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