Boston, Massachusetts

Friday, May 25th - Monday, May 27th

Another trip to Beantown for us in 2012, this time around for a repeat trip to run 'Boston's Run to Remember', a five miler and half marathon put on by the Boston Police Department to remember their fallen officers and raise money for the children of Boston. Jill ran the half marathon in 2011, and we were so impressed with the race that we returned in 2012 - something we don't normally do. This year though, I would be running the half for the first time, and Jill AND Michael were doing the five miler!

Left on Friday morning with a stop at Brooks in Oneonta for some lunch. From there, we drove to Pawtucket, Rhode Island for the Paw Sox game against the Toledo Mud Hens. Jill had been to McCoy Stadium previously, but this was Mike and I's first trip there - very nice venue, and one we could get used to watching a game in! After the game, we drove up to Boston.

Jill made us a reservation at the Seaport Hotel, which happened to be right at the start/finish line for the race! Nice hotel, great location, one to keep on the radar for future trips.

On Saturday, we walked over to the race expo at the World Trade Center (across the street from the hotel), and after dropping our race stuff off in the room went to wander around Boston a bit. We took the "T" to Boston Common and from there walked to Faneuil Hall, wandering through some of our usual stores. Lunch was at Durgin Park. Afterwards, we found a street fair that ran along the harbor and walked looking at the different items there. When we reached the end of it, we realized we had walked almost all the way back to our hotel! We walked the rest of the way back, stopping at the Boston Fire Museum along the way.

After a reset in the hotel room (trying to figure out dinner) it was off to the "T" again. This time, we hit the Boylston Street area, one of our favorite in Boston (and where we usually stay). Did some shopping on Boylston and Newbury Streets, with dinner at Papa Razzi along the way. Back to the hotel via the "T" for a good nights sleep.

Sunday, race day! I was off at 7:00, with Jill and Michael following at 7:15. Great course, very scenic, as well as flat and well supported. Definitely has the potential for a repeat! After the race, we showered up, checked out of the hotel, and were off in search of lunch and more importantly - BEER! Dick's Last Resort in Faneuil Hall would take care of both of those! Funny waiter, good sangria and beeah, food was good too, was what we were looking for for sure.

We walked back to the hotel after lunch, stopping at The Whisky Priest in hopes of one last beer (Sam Adams 26.2 to be exact), but after sitting for ten plus minutes waiting for a waitress to take any sort of an order (the place wasn't busy folks) we walked out. (Probably won't be going back here).

We made the drive back to Binghamton on Sunday night, with a stop in Albany at P.F. Changs for dinner. Made a detour to pick up Brewster before making it the rest of the way home.

Toledo Mud Hens 5, Pawtucket Red Sox 4

The Pawtucket Red Sox took a 4-2 lead into the ninth inning on Friday night at McCoy, but couldn't hang on, as the Mud Hens rallied for three runs and a 5-4 win. Justin Germano pitched seven strong innings and left with the lead, but didn't figure in the decision. Alex Wilson suffered his first loss of the year (4-1) and Garrett Mock picked up his second blown save of the season. Hard throwing Jose Ortega earned the win with an inning and a third of relief. Ortega hit 97 mph with his fastball, according to the in-stadium radar gun. Chris Bootcheck picked up his ninth save of the year.

Pedro Ciriaco went 3-5 with 2 RBI. Darnell McDonald, playing in a rehab game (oblique) knocked in the first PawSox run with a first inning sacrifice fly. Jose Iglesias had a hit and an RBI, as well. Pedros' little brother, Audy, playing for the Hens, was 2-4 with 3 RBI. Former Red Sox minor leaguer, Argenis Diaz had the game winning hit.

The series continues on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled to make a rehab start for the PawSox.

Trip Notes:

Our seats for the Pawtucket game were Section Red 11, Row CC, Seats 1-2-3.