[rpriske]

August 17th, 1988

We need to break out of this slump, but we have to do it against the top team in the NL.

The Mets are pitching Ron Darling (14-6, 2.96).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (13-7, 2.28).

I have gone a miserable 4 for 31, or .129, against Darling.

They got to us immediately as Gerald Young walked, stole 2nd, and scored on a Lenny Dykstra single. DYkstra scored on a one out single by Darryl Strawberry. We ended things with an Aldrete - Priske - Aldrete double play to get Wally Joyner and Johnny Ray, saving another run.

Mets lead 2-0

I led off the bottom half by grounding out to Hubie Brooks at short.
Mike Aldrete followed me with a solo shot.

Mets lead 2-1

We tied it up in the 2nd when Jim Presley scored on a John Rabb single.

Game tied 2-2

That was short lived as the 3rd saw Kevin Mitchell score on a Joyner single. Then Strawberry scored on a Ray single. I ended things on a Carlton Fisk grounder.

Mets lead 4-2

I led off the bottom of the 3rd by flying out to Young in left.

They got us again in the 4th when Young scored on a Dykstra double.

Mets lead 5-2

After Strawberry led off with a single in the 5th, Jim pulled the plug and brought in Bobby Thigpen. He also replaced John with Alan Cockrell behind the plate on a double switch.
The inherited runner ended up scoring on a Brooks fielder's choice.

Mets lead 6-2

I came up with two out in the 5th and flew out to Young again.

In the 6th Young scored on an error by Jim.

Mets lead 7-2

In the 7th Strawberry scored on a sac fly by Ray.

Mets lead 8-2

Atlee Hammaker took over for us in the 8th.

I came up with one out in the bottom frame and managed an infield single. I took 2nd as Mike reached on an error by Darling. We were both left on.

Things went no better for us in the 9th and we dropped our fifth straight game.

I went 1 for 4 with a single.

And tomorrow we face Sid Fernandez. There is no let up with the Mets.