Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

May 23rd, 1993

We have taken two of three in a four game set. Let's win the series.

Today the Reds are pitching Steve Trachsel (2-2, 4.78).

The Giants are going with Al Leiter (0-4, 5.55).

I am hitting seventh..

I made a bad throw fielding an Eric Davis grounder and picked up an error.
They didn't end up scoring.

I came up in the bottom of the 2nd with two out and Otis Nixon on 1st. I grounded out to Carlos Baerga at 2nd.

This slump has dropped my batting average below .260.

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

Bryce Bernadin scored on the bottom half off an error by Baerga.
I came up with one out, Tim Naehring on 2nd, and Craig Grebeck on 1st. I flew out to Davis in right.

Giants lead 1-0

I next came up in the 6th with two out, Tim on 2nd, and Todd Worrell pitching. I popped out to Paul Molitor at 1st.

In the 7th we hit THREE HOME RUNS! Antonio Martinez and Bryce both hit solo dingers and Ruben Sierra hit a two run shot.

Giants lead 5-0

Mark Ross took the ball for us in the 8th.

I came up in the bottom of the 8th with none out, Otis on 1st, and Jesse Orosco pitching. I singled up the middle, moving Otis to 2nd.

We went no further.

Mike Christopher came in for the 9th. He struggled in his first two appearances with us - and that is an understatement. Still, it is a five run lead.

He gave up a two out single, but that was in.

17-28, and out of the basement!

I went 1 for 4 with a single. At least it was something.

Tomorrow is a travel day as we head to Chicago.

All Star Voting has started.

I don't think even I would vote for me.

[rpriske]

May 25th, 1993

We are at Wrigley and ready to go.

Today the Cubs are pitching Greg Maddux (7-2, 1.88).

The Giants have Charlie Vinson Jr. (2-3, 3.41).

I am hitting seventh.

Facing Maddux is a tough way to break out of my hitting doldrums.

I came up in the 2nd with two out and Craig Grebeck on 2nd. I grounded out to Travis Fryman at 3rd.

In the bottom half, Randy Velarde scored on a Nelson Peralta double.
Then Peralta scored on a Paul O'Neill double.

Cubs lead 2-0

We got on the board in the 3rd when Antonio Martinez crossed on a Ruben Sierra single.

Cubs lead 2-1

I handled a Mark Grace grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 3rd.

I led off the 5th by dropping a slider into left centre for a single.
With one out, I went to 2nd on a sac bunt by Charlie.
I was left there.

I led off the 7th just as rain was starting to fall. I drove a Maddux cutter through the right side for another single.

I am starting to feel more normal.

With one out I nabbed Stolen base #20.
I scored on a Ruben Sierra single, tying the game!

Game tied 2-2

Roger Mason took the mound for us in the bottom of the inning.
O'Neill scored on a Grace double.
We turned a Priske - Grebeck - Caminiti double play to end the inning.

Cubs lead 3-2

I caught a Velarde liner for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 8th.

I led off the 9th, now facing Lee Smith. He struck me out.

We couldn't score and took the loss.

17-29

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles and a run scored.

[rpriske]

May 26th, 1993

The game was rained out.

Tomorrow is now a Double Header.

[rpriske]

May 27th, 1993

Today we have a double header and need to take both games to win the series.

In the first game the Cubs have Randy Johnson (2-3, 2.79).

The Giants are going with John Burkett (3-5, 4.80).

I am hitting seventh.

The Cubs opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st when Mark Grace crossed on a Chris Hoiles single.
I took care of a Willie Murray grounder for the 3rd out.

Cubs lead 1-0

I came up with one out in the 2nd. I lined a slider into left for a single.
I was thrown out trying to steal 2nd.

I then came up with two out in the 4th. I struck out on a failed check swing.

We tied it up in the 6th when Antonio Martinez scored on a Craig Grebeck double.
I came up next with one out, Craig on 2nd, and Tim Naehring on 3rd. I grounded out to Travis Freeman at 3rd.

Game tied 1-1

We took the lead in the 7th when Antonio scored on a Ken Caminiti double.

Giants lead 2-1

I came up in the 8th with none out, Craig on 1st, and Jose Jaramillo on the mound. I flew out to Murray in centre.

Mike Perez came in to nail things down for us in the 9th. He is 3rd in MLB in saves, but didn't get one this time, as he gave up a solo homer to Randy Velarde.

Game tied 2-2, going to extras.

I came up in the 10th with two out, Craig on 1st, and Lee Smith pitching. I flew out to Nelson Peralta in left.

Mike Christopher took the ball for us in the bottom of the inning.
Freeman scored on a Hoiles single and the Cubs walked us off, 3-2.

17-30

I went 1 for 5 with a single and a caught stealing.

Now we need to take the second game of the double header, just to avoid being swept.

[rpriske]

May 27th, 1993

It is the second game of the double header, trying to avoid the sweep of not only the day, but the series.

The Cubs are pitching David Palmer (3-1, 2.62).

The Giants are going with Mark Gardner (0-1, 2.21).

I am hitting seventh.

We struck early as Ruben Sierra scored off a Ken Caminiti double in the top of the 1st.

Giants lead 1-0

I led off the 2nd by flying out to Willie Murray in centre.

I handled a Nelson Peralta grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom of the inning.

I then came up with two out in the 4th and took a walk.
I scored on a Joe Hall triple.

Giants lead 2-0

I came up in the 6th with one out, Craig Grebeck on 3rd, and Otis Nixon on 1st. I reached on a fielder's choice when Craig was thrown out at the plate.
Otis and I were left on base.

In the 7th, Ruben scored on a Bryce Bernadin sac fly.

Giants lead 3-0

I came up in the 8th with one out, Craig on 2nd, and Clint Jenkins pitching. I flew out to Paul O'Neill in right.

With two out and a man on in the bottom of the 8th, Matt brought in Mike Christopher.
He got the 3rd out.

Mike Perez came in to shut things down in the 9th.
Peralta scored on an Ivan Rodriguez sac fly.
But that was it and we won, 3-1.

18-30

I went 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

My batting average has dipped below .260.

Now we head to Atlanta, one of the worst parks to play in.

[rpriske]

May 28th, 1993

We are in Atlanta - my least favourite place to play.

The Braves are pitching Danny Jackson (4-4, 3.47).

The Giants are going with Al Leiter (1-4, 4.85).

I am batting seventh.

I used to be unhappy about hitting this far down in the order. Now I am unhappy that I am not giving them any reason to regret it.

In the bottom of the 1st we turned a Priske - Grebeck - Caminiti double play.

I came up with Craig Grebeck on 1st and one out in the 2nd. I grounded out but advanced Craig.

In the 3rd, Chris Jones scored on a two out throwing error by Tim Naehring.
Then Ken Griffey Jr. walked with the bases loaded, scoring Jeff Blauser.
Andujar Cedeno hit a grand slam.

That was a huge error.

Braves lead 6-0. All run were unearned.

Joe Hall relieved for us in the 4th.
We turned another Priske - Grebeck - Caminiti double play behind him.

I came up with one down in the 5th and flew out to Griffey in centre.

I handled a Mike Greenwell grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the inning.

After a leadoff double in the bottom of the 6th, Matt brought in Kip Gross.
Two batters later, Cedeno scored on a Jones groundout.
Jim Thome scored on a balk by Kip.
Heriberto Pagan scored on a single by Blauser.
Blauser scored on a Greenwell single.
Greenwell scored on a Jeff Bagwell double.

That was all Matt could stomach and he brought it Joe Boever.
He couldn't stop it. Bagwell scored on a Griffey single.
He finally got the 3rd out.

Braves lead 12-0

I came up in the 7th with one out and Craig on 1st. I grounded out to Thome at 3rd, advancing Craig again.

Jose Bautista came in to pitch for us in the 8th.
Greenwell scored on a Griffey single.

Braves lead 13-0

I came up in the 9th with two out and Tim on 1st. Jerry Gleaton was pitching. I grounded out to Bagwell at 1st.

Brutal, humiliating loss.

18-31. We still lead the Reds by one game, eight back of the lead.

I went 0 for 4.

[rpriske]

May 29th, 1993

In Atlanta, trying to sway the series back in our direction.

Today the Braves are pitching Oil Can Boyd (2-3, 5.62).

The Giants have Craig Lefferts (2-5, 7.14).

I am hitting seventh.

In the top of the 1st, Ken Caminiti hit a solo bomb.

Giants lead 1-0

The lead was short lived as int eh bottom of the inning, Jeff Blauser scored on a Ken Griffey Jr. sac fly.
Then Jim Thome hit a three run homer.

Braves lead 4-1

I came up in the 2nd with one out and Otis Nixon on 1st. I hit an infield single, moving Otis up 90 feet.
We were stranded.

I took care of a Jeff Bagwell grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 3rd.
Griffey, Andujar Cedeno, and Thome all scored on a one out, Chris Jones triple.

Matt had seen enough and brought in Mark Ross.
Jones scored on a Javy Lopez sac fly.

I handled a Blauser grounder for the 3rd out.

Braves lead 8-1

I came up in the 4th with two out and Otis on 1st again. I singled to left, advancing Otis to 3rd.
Antonio Martinez singled, scoring Otis and sending me to 3rd.
We were left on.

Braves lead 8-2

Mike Greenwell led off the bottom of the inning with a home run.

Braves lead 9-2

I came up in the 6th with one out and Otis on 1st for the third straight time. Like the first time, I reached on an infield single, sending Otis to 2nd.
I was erased when Antonio hit into a double play.

I caught a Thome pop up to end the 6th.

Joe Boever took over for us in the 7th.

I led off the 9th, now facing Jerry Gleaton. I dunked one into centre for a single.
With one out, pinch hitter, Manny Ramirez, hit into a double play.

Ugh.

18-32

I went 4 for 4, all singles. But I didn't score even once.