[rpriske]

March 31st, 1986

Into the home stretch of spring training an apparently I am finally going to start getting my playing time. I am starting today against Bob Kipper and the Cardinals.
Terry Mulholland is pitching for us.

In fact, it is tarting to look like we know who the starting lineup will be. Mostly familiar faces but it seems Robby Thompson will be my new DP partner. He is 23 and making his debut. We could turn some heads if things go well.

A couple of hits and an error by Kenny Oberkfell loaded the bases. Then Willie McGee singled, scoring Tom Herr. That's all they got.

Cardinals lead 1-0.

I led off by singling to right. I quickly steal 2nd. Kenny O strikes out and Chili Davis walks. Rob Deer flies out but then Mike Aldrete doubles, scoring both Chili and I. He tries to stretch into into a triple and is thrown out.

Giants lead 2-1.

I came up next in the 3rd, with one out. This time Kipper struck me out.

The Cards tied it up in the 4th when McGee scored on a Jose Uribe sac fly.

Game tied 2-2.

We got the lead right back in the bottom frame as Rob Deer hit a solo homer.

Giants lead 3-2.

Pat Perry took over for Terry in the 5th.

I was the pivot on a nice Thompson / Priske / Aldrete double play to get Andy Van Slyke and Pat Bailey to end the inning.

I came up in the bottom half with one out and now facing Jeff Lahti. I worked a walk. I stole 2nd again. Lahti made it moot by walking Kenny O on four pitches. So, what to do next? Double steal! That makes six swiped bags for me this spring. Then Chili reached an error and I crossed for the 2nd time today. A few batters later, Chili also crossed on an error.

Giants lead 5-2.

I was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 6th.

We ended up winning 9-6.

Nice day for me, going 1 for 2 with a walk, two runs scored, and three stolen bases.

A bunch more players were sent to minor league camp after the game. Nobody I have spent any time with.

With a couple of exceptions (Willie Fraser, Brad Wellman), we are down to the 40-man.

With Hal McRae taking a roster spot as apparently a full-time pinch hitter, I wonder how all of Chris Brown, Tom O'Malley, and Fran Mullins can stay.
Will Steve Stanicek get a spot?

It looks like Terry Mulholland and Colin Ward will be the only rotation holdovers from last year, with Dennis Eckersley, Bruce Ruffin, and Eric King joining. Scott Garrelts is the new closer, but it seems like mostly familiar faces behind him.

Only a few days left.