[rpriske]

July 18th, 1985

At home in San Francisco after a break, Hopefully the break us what I needed to get my bat to life.

The Cubs are pitching Bill Swift (2-0, 3.51).
We have Atlee Hammaker (7-8, 3.12).

None of us have faced Swift before.

Things went against right away as Atlee gave up hits to the first three Cubs, putting us down 2-0. It got worse before it got better. By them time I started the inning ending Priske - Castino - Aldrete double play, the Cubs had sent up 9 batters and had scored 5 times.

Cubes lead 5-0.

I led off the bottom of the 1st and Swift did the unforgivable with a five run lead... he walked me. I moved up to 2nd on a Kenny Oberkfell ground out and 3rd on one by Chili Davis. I was stranded there.

Things went better in the 2nd. Bob Brenly led off with a double and then scored on a Jeff Leonard single. Mike Aldrete then parked a ball for a two-run homer. I came up with two out and nobody on and singled before stealing 2nd. I was left there.

Cubs lead 5-3.

In the 3rd the Cubs were back at it as Garry Templeton hit an RBI single, scoring Mel Hall.

Cubs lead 6-3.

I handled the 1st out in the 4th, taking a Shawon Dunston grounder.

I came up in the bottom half with two out and Aldrete on 1st. Swift pitched a little too tight and I got both a small bruise and my base. Kenny O then doubled into the corner, scoring both Mike and myself, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to 3rd.

Cubs lead 6-5.

Atlee had left for a pinch hitter than inning so Curt Brown took over. I caught a Jody Davis pop up for the 3rd out in the top of the 5th.

In the 7th, after another pinch hitting opportunity went nowhere, Mark Davis took over pitching duties for us. He allowed a couple of baserunners by a Castino - Priske - Aldrete double play ended the threat.

I led off the bottom half, now facing Dennis Lamp, by flying out to centre.

I got the 1st out in the 8th, taking a grounder by Hall. (There is something about that guy, I just don't like.)

A double switch in the 9th brought in Ron Davis to pitch and Kenny Smith to play left field.

In the bottom half, down by one, I got pulled for Chris Brown with one out and a man on. We didn't score and lost 6-5.

47-42