[rpriske]

April 1st, 1986

I started against Dennis Martinez and the Pirates.

Eric King pitched for us.

I led off the game by whiffing.

In the bottom half Keith Moreland crushed a three run homer.

Pirates lead 3-0.

They struck again in the 2nd when Joe Orsulak singled home Bip Roberts.

Pirates leads 4-0.

I came up with one out in the 3rd and Martinez struck me out again.

In the bottom half Fred Lynn singled home Kirk Gibson. I started a Priske - Thompson - Aldrete double play to get Moreland and Tony Pena.

Pirates lead 5-0.

We got a couple back its eh 4th when Mike Aldrete hit a two run dinger.

Pirates lead 5-2.

I came up in the 5th with one out and Brian Harper on 1st. Dave Johnson was pitching. Different pitcher, same result. I struck out for the 3rd time in three at-bats.

Jeff Robinson relieved for us that inning. Lynn singled home another run, this time in the form of Ozzie Smith. Pena knocked Gibson in. Jason Thompson hit a grand slam. Jeff faced six batters. They all scored.
Nestor went with Frank Williams.

Pirates lead 11-2.

Back to back solo homers by Chili Davis and Rob Deer made up a bit of the gap.

Pirates lead 11-4.

I handled a Dale Berra grounder for the 2nd out in the home half of the 6th.

I was lifted in the 7th.

We lost 12-6 and I struck out three times. A bad day all around.


April 2nd, 1986

It was the penultimate game of the spring schedule and we were facing Tom Glavine and the Braves.
Colin Ward was going for us.

I led off the bottom half by working a four-pitch walk. I tried to steal 2nd but ran into a pitchout and was gunned down.

In the 2nd Andres Galarraga led off with a s solo homer. I got the 1st out off a Ron Cey grounder. I then did the same on an Ozzie Virgil grounder.

Braves lead 1-0.

In the 3rd Gerald Perry singled home Milt Thompson for another run.

Braves lead 2-0.

I came up in the bottom half with two out and grounded out to Cey at 3rd.

In the 4th Virgil walloped a three-run shot. I got the 2nd out off the bat of their rookie shortstop, Gary Sheffield.

Braves lead 5-0.

Things can turn around in a hurry, however, as Bob Brenly connected with a Grand Slam in the bottom half to narrow the lead to one run.

Braves lead 5-4.

Mark Calvert took over for us in the 5th. He did no better than Colin as he gave up a two run double to Galarraga before recording an out.

Braves lead 7-4.

I led off the bottom of the 5th, now facing Jeff Dedmon. I grounded out to Ron Oester at 2nd.

I made the 2nd out of the 6th, off a Paul Runge grounder.

Randy Morse relieved for us in the 7th.
He gave up an RBI single to Brad Komminsk before recording an out. Jeff Blauser pushed him across with a two out triple.

Braves lead 9-4.

I was lifted in the 7th.

We lost 10-4.

I am hitting below .200


April 3rd, 1986

We are wrapping up the spring schedule with a game vs Bill Swift and the Cubs.
We are pitching Mark Grant.

I led off by flying out to Bob Dernier in right.

I got the 1st out onto other side, taking a Billy Hatcher grounder.
We did not emerge unscathed as Mel Hall hit a two run homer. (There is something about that guy I just don't like. He is creepy.)
I got a Jody Davis grounder to end the inning.

Cubs lead 2-0.

I led off the 3rd by grounding out to Gary Jones at 2nd.

Jody Davis hit a solo homer in the 4th.

Cubs lead 3-0.

I came up in the 5th with two out and Rich Bordi pitching. I managed a walk. Robby Thompson singled and I hustled to 3rd. THat's as far as I could get.

Bill Laskey relieved for us.
He walked Dernier and gave up a two run homer to Ray Knight. One out later he did the same thing - walked Shawon Dunston and gave up a gopher ball to Jody Davis.

Cubs lead 7-0.

We got a couple dingers of our own the next inning as Mike Aldrete hit a two-run shot and Bob Brenly hit a solo bomb.

Cubs lead 7-3.

Mark Davis relieved in the 6th. I got the 3rd out for him, off a Day eOwen grounder.

I was lifted in the 7th.

We lost 7-3.

Wow, spring training has kind of sucked.

I don't feel ready for the season at all!