[rpriske]

August 22nd, 1991

Still in Houston, trying to avoid a three game sweep.

The Astros are pitching Chris Hammond (9-12, 3,47).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (11-8, 3.90).

I have gone 9 for 33, or .273, against Hammond.

I am hitting seventh.

We got behind early as Feliz Jose led off the bottom of the 1st with a home run.

Astros lead 1-0

I came up in the 2nd with two out and Tim Naehring on 1st. I flew out to my namesake Rusty Greer in centre.

I handled a Daniel Williams grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom of the inning.
Before the inning was up, Bruce hit Brian Downing with a pitch, when the bases were loaded, scoring Clay Bellinger.

Astros lead 2-0

In ht bottom of the 3rd, I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get Ryne Sandberg and Greer to end the inning.

I took care of a Bellinger grounder to get the 2nd out in the bottom of the 4th.

I came up in the 5th with one out and Rick Cerone on 1st. I lined out to Williams at 3rd.
Rick ended up scoring on a Ryan Klesko double.

Astros lead 2-1

I caught a Downing fly for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 5th.
But then John Olerud scored on a Greer single.

Astros lead 3-1

Scott Service took the ball for us in the 6th.

I ended the inning for him by taking care of a Jose grounder.

I came up in the 7th with one out and Alvin Davis on 1st. I pushed him to 3rd on a single to right.
I was thrown out trying to steal 2nd.

In the top of the 8th pinch hitter Bryce Bernadin walked and ended up scoring on a wild pitch by reliever Arthur Rhodes.

Astros lead 3-2

Tom Kramer took over for us in the bottom of the 8th.

I was on deck when we made the final out.

We were swept.

I went 1 for 3 with a single and a caught stealing.

As we were heading to Pittsburgh we found out Brian Hickerson was rejoining us as Bobby Thigpen was sent to Phoenix.

Bobby? Our closer?

Apparently Tom Kramer is our closer now.

23 year old rookie. But who am I to talk?