[rpriske]

July 8th, 1988

The Cardinals are here and we are ready to go!

They are pitching Rick Mahler (8-8, 2.83).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (8-6, 2.48).

I have gone 4 for 19, or .211 against Mahler. Time to make that a little better.

The Cards struck right away with Willie McGee scoring on an Andy Van Slyke single.
I made a good play to get Mike Marshall for the 2nd out grounder.

Cardinals lead 1-0

I led off our half by taking a pitch too far inside on the very first pitch. I was hit and awarded 1st. I then got stolen base #63 despite running on a pitch out. With one out I got stolen base #64. I scored on a Chili Davis sac fly.

Game tied 1-1

I caught a Mahler fly for the 2nd out in the 2nd. But then Oddibe McDowell scored on a McGee single.

Cardinals lead 2-1

In the 3rd Marshall scored on a frankly bull balk call on Rick.

Cardinals lead 3-1

I came up with two out in the 3rd and started 0-2 but six pitches later I had a walk. Stolen base #65 AND an extra base when Mike Brown threw it away. I was left there.

I caught a McGee pop for the 3rd out in the 4th.

I handled a Van Slyke grounder for the 1st out in the 5th.

I came up with two out in the 5th and flew out to McDowell in left.

I took care of a Tom Herr grounder for the 2nd out in the 6th. I then did the same for a Mahler grounder to end the frame.

In the bottom half, Mike Aldrete scored on a Rob Deer single.

Cardinals lead 3-2

In the 7th I got the 2nd out off a Van Slyke grounder.

In the bottom half I came up with two out and Steve Stanicek on 2nd and pinch hitter Alan Cockrell on 1st. I should have been the 3rd out on a grounder but Terry Pendleton threw it away and instead Steve scored and Alan and I were in scoring position. We were left, but not before tying the game.

Game tied 3-3

Scott Garrelts took over for us in the 8th. John Rabb also came in to play 3rd for Brian Giles, who left for a pinch hitter.

Mark Davis took over for us in the 9th.
That didn't go well as he gave up a two run homer to McDowell.
Then Van Slyke scored on a Marshall single.

The Cardinals lead 6-3

Nothing personal against Mark, but I really miss having Dennis Eckersley to close.

I came up in the 9th with two out and Steve on 1st. St. Louis closer Todd Worrell was pitching. I grounded out to Herr at 2nd and the game was over.

I went 0 for 3 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch, a run scored, and three stolen bases.

Alan down. Tom O'Malley back up.