[rpriske]

April 22, 1988

I was thinking about Mike Easler and his decision to retire. I don't know him really well, but he seems like a good egg. He is 37 and has played in the majors for 14 years. The Giants were his 7th big league team. He had a solid career and I hope he is happy with his decision. When I am ready to hang them up, I hope I can do it with the same level of class that he did.

Today we have Willie Fraser (0-0, 4.15) facing Ken Howell (0-1, 5.89) and the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have had an even worse start than we have.

I have gone 2 for 6 against Howell.

I got into on the 2nd batter of the game, grabbing a Dave Winfield grounder for the 2nd out.

I led off the home half by legging out an infield single to 3rd. With one out I stole 2nd, beating a pitchout! I got no further.

Benito Santiago opened the scoring with a 2nd inning, two out homer.

Dodgers lead 1-0

In the 3rd I took a Steve Sax grounder for the 2nd out, but Alonzo Powell scored on the play.

Dodgers lead 2-0

I came up with two out in the 3rd and I walked. I tried to steal but once again I ran into a pitchout and this time they caught me.

In the 4th I once again got the 2nd out - this time it was a Santiago groundout - and once again they scored on the play - this time it was Tim Wallach. Then Candy Maldonado scored on a Dave Anderson single.

Dodgers lead 4-0

We got a couple in the 4th. First Mike Aldrete scored on a Ruben Sierra sac fly. Then Rob Deer scored on a Robby Thompson single.

Dodgers lead 4-2

The Dodgers struck again in the 5th when Sax tripled and then scored on a Bob Brenly passed ball.

Dodgers lead 5-2

I came up with two out in the 5th and I walked again. Stolen base #12. I advanced to 3rd on a single by Mike. We were both left there.

Bobby Thigpen came in to pitch for us in the 6th. This was his big league debut.
He gave up singles to the first two batter she faced, but then got the next three.

After getting two out in the 7th he walked one and then was pulled for Goose Gossage. From the rookie to the vet.
He got his out.

I came up with two out in the 7th and popped out to Wallach at 3rd.

Andy McGaffigan came in to pitch the 8th.
He pitched the inning and got the 1st out in the 9th before he was lifted for Mark Davis. John Rabb also replaced Bob in a double switch.
I got Mark the 2nd out off a Sax grounder.

I came up in the 9th with one out and John on 2nd. Craig Lefferts was pitching. I walked for the 3rd time this game. Mike came up behind me and doubled, scoring John and sending me to 3rd.
Rick Honeycutt relieved for L.A.
Chili Davis grounded out, but I scored on the play.
Down to our last out with the potential tying run on 2nd base. Rob Deer came up... and flied out to centre.

We lost 5-4

I went 1 for 2 with a single, three walks, one run scored, two stolen bases, and a caught stealing.

I am hitting .431

I lead the league in stolen bases and am second in batting, behind Johnny Ray of the Mets.