[rpriske]

April 20th, 1985

Today the Reds have Jeff Russell. We have Jeff Robinson, He has struggled so far this year, but we have got his back.

I led off the right way, smacking a single to right field. I stole 2nd pretty easily and then - feeling my oats a little - I stole 3rd as well. Chris Brown singled and I crossed the plate. We scored 3 before the inning was up, including back-to-back blasts by Chili Davis and Rob Deer.

I think this is going to be a good day.

The Reds scored one in the bottom half.

I came up in the 2nd with two out and the bases empty and singled to right again. This time when I tried to steal it was on a pitch out and they nailed me.

My first defensive play came in the 3rd when Russell grounded to me. No problem. After they got two on Nick Esasky did the same.

In the 4th Paul Householder walked and tried to steal 2nd but I took a perfect throw from John Rabb and we erased him.

I led off in the 5th and grounded out to Russell. Despite the lead, Robinson didn't get out of the inning. Nestor brought in Curt Brown with one out and one on. We got out of it with no damage. I think he should have given Jeff the chance to get the win.

In the 6th, after the Reds had scored to narrow the lead to one, I tried to start a double play. We got Alan Knicely but Lee Mazzilli outran the second half. Russell grounded to me again to end the threat.

We were still leading 3-2.

In the 7th, after I had gone 2 for 3 against Russell already, Nestor brought in Tom O'Malley to hit for me.

To say I am irked would be an under-statement.

The game went crazy after I left. The Reds took a 4-3 lead in the 7th and we scored 5 times in the 8th. In the end we won 9-7 to get back to .500

We have an afternoon game tomorrow before heading back home to face the Dodgers.