[rpriske]

May 1st, 1986

Today the Pirates are pitching Chuck Rainey (1-2, 6.00).
The Giants are pitching Terry Mulholland (1-0, 5.47).

I have gone 3 for 8 vs Rainey.

We are looking for our 9th win in a row and holding onto the division lead!

The Bugs struck early, as Ozzie Smith and Kirk Gibson scored on a Johnny Ray double. It got worse as a couple of batters later Keith Moreland hit a three run homer.
I got the last out on a Willie Aikens grounder, but this is not a good way to keep our streak going.

Pirates lead 5-0.

I led off our half by grounding out to Ozzie at short.
Chili Davis got us on the board with a solo homer.

Pirates lead 5-1.

I got the last out again in the 2nd, snagging a Kirk Gibson grounder.

In the 3rd Fred Lynn scored on a Jason Thompson sac fly.

Pirates lead 6-1.

I led off the bottom of the 3rd by working a walk. I got stolen base #18 (barely), and then scored on a Kenny Oberkfell single.

Pirates lead 6-2.

In the 5th Lynn scored on a wild pitch by Terry. Keith Moreland then scored on a Thompson groundout.

Pirates lead 8-2.

I came up in the bottom frame with two out and I was robbed of a hit by a diving catch in the corner by Kirk Gibson.

Bill Laskey relieved a beleaguered Terry in the 6th.

I got the 1st out in the 7th, grabbing a Johnny Ray grounder.

I came up in the 8th with none out and Lee Mazzilli on 2nd and Steve Stanicek on 1st. Aaron Carlie was now pitching. Carlie's first pitch was a wild one and both Lee and Steve moved up. With an open bag he pitched around me a bit and I earned my second walk. Kenny O did the job, doubling to deep centre and letting all three of us score. He later scored on a Mike Aldrete single.

Pirates lead 8-6.

Mark Davis came in to pitch the 9th. Tom O'Malley took over for Kenny at 3rd in a double switch.

I came up in the 9th with it all on the line. Down by two and two out, with O'Malley on 1st. Cecilio Guante was pitching.

I struck out.

I got a couple of walks and runs today but couldn't get it done when the chips were down. Our winning streak ends at eight and we trail eh Dodgers by a game again.

Tomorrow the Cubs come to town.