[rpriske]

September 24th, 1989

Down to seven games but we are in a dead heat with the Reds and can't count out the Dodgers.

Today we finish with the Padres before heading down to L.A.

It is our last game at home if we can't get to the postseason.

Let's give them a show.

The Padres are pitching Chris Hammond (8-12, 3.32).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (15-5, 2.59).

I have gone 5 for 15 against Hammond, and I am running pretty hot.

They went three up, three down and then I led off for our side. I put not he after burners and reached on an infield hit.
Stolen base #118.
Lonnie Smith walked.
We were both left.

The Astros got on the board in the 2nd when Harold Baines scored on a Dave Gallagher triple. Then Gallagher scored on a Jim Edmonds groundout.
I took care fo a Casey Candaele grounder for the third out.

Astros lead 2-0

I made an amazing play on a Baines grounder to get the 3rd out in the 3rd, saving a run.

I came up with one out in the 3rd and grounded out to Glenn Davis at 1st.

I then came up with one out in the 5th and grounded out to Candaele at 2nd.

With one out and one on in the 6th, Jim went to John Burkett.
We turned a Priske - Thompson - Deer double play to get Gallagher and Edmonds.

I handled a Hammond grounder for the 3rd out in the 7th.

I came up in the 7th with two out, Ryan Klesko on 2nd, and Tim Naehring on 1st. I hit it hard but right at Davis who caught the liner.

Bobby Thigpen took the mound for us in the 8th.

In the bottom of the 8th we got things going with a walk for Lonnie and two run homer by Alan Cockrell!

Game tied 2-2

Mark Davis took the bump in the 9th.

They got the lead right back when Craig Biggio tripled and scored on a passed ball by Alan.
I took care of a Mark Bailey grounder for the 2nd out in the 9th.

Astros lead 3-2

I came up in the bottom of the 9th with one out and Lee Guetterman pitching.
The first pitch was a curve, low. 1-0
Slider, which I got a piece of - fouling it off. 1-1
Fastball, which I hit hard down the left field line, but foul. 1-2
Fastball, hit on the ground to Candaele. Groundout, 4-3.

We dropped the game, 3-2.

I went 1 for 5 with a single and a stolen base.

The Reds beat the Braves, 12-6
The Dodgers lost 2-0 to the Padres.

REDS 92-64, .590, --
GIANTS 91-65, .583, 1.0
DODGERS 89-67, .571, 3.0

Now we face the Dodgers and the Reds face the Padres, who just swept the Dodgers. Technically we get the tougher team, but San Diego is hot and L.A. is ice cold.