Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

August 26th, 1988

Coming off a disappointing loss, we now have to face the mighty Mets.

They are pitching Dwight Gooden (20-5, 2.31).

The Giants answer with Frank Viola (14-8, 2.22).

Twenty wins already and it is still August.

I have gone 9 for 38, or .237, against Gooden.

I kicked off the game by hitting one deep to short for an infield single. With one out I grabbed stolen base #114.
With two out, Rob Deer walked. We were both left.

I led off the 3rd with another single, this one up the middle into centre. With one out, I got stolen base #115 AND 116! I then scored on a Chili Davis single.

Giants lead 1-0

In the 4th Steve Stanicek scored on a balk by Gooden.
I came up with two out and John Rabb on 3rd. I flew out to Gerald Young in left.

Giants lead 2-0

The 6th inning was something as BOTH Gooden and Viola struck out the side.

I led off the 7th by hitting on through the right side for a single. I was thrown out trying to steal for the 2nd out of the inning.

I came up in the 9th with two out and Frank on 1st. Roger McDowell was pitching. I singled through the right for my fourth hit of the day! Frank went to 3rd.
Gerald Young made a great play on a Mike Aldrete liner to strand us.

Frank ended up striking out seven as we got a 2-0 shutout on the Mets!

I had a great day, going 4 for 5, all singles, with a run scored, three stolen bases, and one caught stealing.

[rpriske]

August 27th, 1988

After shutting out the Mets last night, we are feeling pretty good, but it never gets easier with the Mets.

Today they are pitching Ron Darling (16-6, 2.99).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (14-8, 2.45).

I have gone 5 for 35 against Darling, or .143.

I led off the game by walking on four straight pitches. Stolen base #117. I was given 3rd on a two out balk by Darling. Rob Deer then walked.
Both of us were left on.

I made a nice play on a Lenny Dykstra liner for the 2nd out in the bottom half.

I led off the 3rd by walking again - again without seeing a strike. With one out I got stolen base #118. I was left on.

The Mets opened the scoring in the 3rd when Gooden crossed on a Gerald Young single.
I took care of a Dykstra grounder for the final out of the inning.

Mets lead 1-0

We got it back in the 4th when Robby Thompson scored on an Alan Cockrell sac fly.

Game tied 1-1

In the bottom half we turned a Thompson - Priske - Aldrete double play to get Wally Joyner and Darryl Strawberry.
I led off the 5th and dropped one into the right field corner for a double. I advanced to 3rd on a Mike Aldrete single and scored on a Chili Davis sac fly.

Giants lead 2-1

I mine a nice play on a Dykstra liner for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 6th.

I led off the 7th by grounding out to Joyner at 1st.

Things went well for us in the 7th.
Roger McDowell came in to pitch and he walked Rob Deer. Then Jim Presley singled. Robby Thompson moved them both up with a sac bunt. Steve Stanicek doubled, scoring both. Alan Cockrell walked. McDowell balked. Rick singled, scoring Steve.
Calvin Schiraldi relieved.
I walked. Mike walked, scoring Alan. Chili hit into a double play.

Giants lead 6-1

Mark Davis pitched the 9th for us.
I took care of a Strawberry fielder's choice for the 2nd out.
Strawberry scored on a Kevin Mitchell double.
That was all they could get and the Giants won 6-2

I went 1 for 2 with a double, three walks, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

Big news after the game - Bob Brenly was activated!
Alan Cockrell was sent to Phoenix.

[rpriske]

August 28th, 1988

We are going for a sweep of the Mets!

They are pitching Sid Fernandez (9-2, 2.57).

The Giants have Eric Show (12-11, 3.36).

I have gone 8 for 38 against big Sid, or .211

I started things off with a little fly to Hubie Brooks at short.
Mike Aldrete walked and ended up scoring on a Rob Deer single.

Giants lead 1-0

I came up next with one out in the 3rd and grounded out to Brooks.
Sid Fernandez seemed to hurt his shoulder pitching to me and they had to take him out of the game.

In the bottom of the 3rd Carlton Fish scored on a Gerald Young double.
I made a great play on a Lenny Dykstra grounder for the 1st out, but Ross Jones scored on the play. Young scored on a Wally Joyner sac fly.
I got the 3rd out on a tough grounder by Johnny Ray.

Mets lead 3-1

I got the last out in the 4th off a Jones grounder.

I came up in the 5th with two out, Ruben Sierra on 3rd, and Bob Brenly on 2nd. Kevin Brown was pitching. I grounded out to Jones at short.

I next came up in the 7th with two out and Robby Thompson on 1st. I grounded out to Ray at 2nd.

Bobby Thigpen took over for us in the 7th.
I got the 1st out for him off a Fisk grounder.
Young and Dykstra scored on a Joyner double with two out.

Mets lead 5-1

I made a good play on a Fisk liner for the 2nd out in the 8th.

We were unable to score in the 9th and lost, 5-1.

I had a good day in the field but went 0 for 4 at the dish.

Now we are heading over to Philadelphia.

[rpriske]

August 29th, 1988

We didn't get the sweep but we still took the series against the tough Mets. We need to keep that going in Philadelphia.

The Phillies are pitching Mike Morgan (12-10, 3.98).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (13-7, 2.80).

I have minimal exposure to Morgan, but what I have is good. I have gone 3 for 6.

I started things off by popping out to Alfredo Griffin at 2nd.

I got the first out on the other side, off a Tim Raines grounder.

I came up in the 3rd with one out and Ruben Sierra on 2nd. I lined out to Raines in left, advancing the runner. Ruben scored on a Mike Aldrete double.

Giants lead 1-0

I got the 2nd out in the home half, off a fielder's choice ball by Bo Jackson.
Griffin and Jackson scored on a Von Hayes double.

Phillies lead 2-1

I led off the 6th by grounding out to Dwight Evans at 1st.

With two out and two on in the 7th, Jim went to Jeff Robinson to pitch. He got the out.

Scott Garrelts then took over in the 8th.

I led off the 9th with Michael Jackson on the hill.
I dropped one into short right for a single.
With one out, Chili Davis replaced me with a fielder's choice.
That was it and we lost, 2-1.

I went 1 for 4 with a single.

[rpriske]

August 30th, 1988

We lost to the Phillies and need to turn things around.

They are pitching Pete Smith (9-9, 3.16).

The Giants have Willie Fraser (4-9, 3.65).

I have gone 2 for 9 against Smith.

I led things off by earning a walk. Stolen base #119. With one out I grabbed stolen base #120. Chili Davis reached on an infield single, but I had to hold. We were both left on.

The Phillies got on the board in the bottom half as Alfredo Griffin scored on a Von Hayes single.

Phillies lead 1-0

I made my first play, getting the final out in the 2nd, off a Tim Raines grounder.

I then came up with one out in the 3rd and flew out to Hayes in centre.

In the 4th Walt Weiss failed to bunt twice and then hit a two run homer.

Phillies lead 3-0

In the 5th, Steve Stanicek hit a two run homer to get us back into it.
I came up with two out and the bases empty and I hit one into left for a single. This time I was thrown out trying to steal.

Phillies lead 3-2

I got the 2nd out in the bottom of the 6th off a fielder's choice ball by Kenny Oberkfell.

I came up in the 7th with two out and Steve on 1st. I was left at the plate as Steve was thrown out trying to steal 2nd.

Jeff Robinson came in to pitch the 7th for us.

I led off the 8th after being left at the plate in the 7th. I grounded out to Griffin at 2nd.

In the bottom half, Hayes scored on a single by Oberkfell.

Phillies lead 4-2

Rob Deer led off the 9th wth a home run but that still left us one short and we lost, 4-3.

I went 1 for 3 with a single, a walk, two stolen bases, and a caught stealing.

After the game Alan Cockrell was recalled and Jeff King was sent to Shreveport (AA).

[rpriske]

August 31st, 1988

It is the last day before roster expansion and we are still in Philadelphia.

The Phillies are pitching Kevin Gross (8-7, 2.65).

The Giants have Frank Viola (15-8, 2.13).

I have not done well against Gross, going 7 for 41, or .171.

I led things off by flying to to Tim Raines in left.

I got the 1st out in the bottom of the 2nd off a Bo Jackson grounder.

I came up in the 3rd with one out and Alan Cockrell on 1st. I hit into a fielder's choice. I made the most of it, picking up stolen base #121. I was left there.

In the 4th Chili Davis scored on a Rob Deer single.

Giants lead 1-0

I took care of a Ron Hassey grounder on a tough play for the final out in the 5th.

I then off the 6th by walking on five pitches. With one out I got stolen base #122 AND #123. I scored on a Chili sac fly.

Giants lead 2-0 on a completely manufactured run by me!

I got the 1st out in the bottom of the 7th, off a routine grounder by Dwight Evans.

I came up in the 8th with one out and Alan on 2nd. I grounded out to Walt Weiss at 2nd, moving Alan up.
He did not score.

I got the 2nd out in the bottom half off a Kenny Oberkfell grounder.

With one out in the bottom of the 9th, Tim Raines tripled, breaking up Frank's no-hitter in a heart-breaking manner!
I then handled an Alfredo Griffin grounder for the 2nd out, but Raines scored.
With the no-hitter and shut out gone, Jim went to Mark Davis to wrap things up. He did and we had the 2-1 win.

Frank was SO CLOSE!

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

We got the list of September call-ups after the game.

Greg Litton, Al Leiter, John Burkett, Butch Henry, Scott Service, Bryan Hickerson, Mike Perez, Phil Ouellette, Scott Bradley, Jessie Reid, Jeff King, Fran Mullins, Kelvin Torve, Craig Grebeck, and Tom O'Malley.

Big list. I wonder how many of them are auditioning for next year's roster spots.

Greg Litton was named Batter of the Month for August in the PCL. That is impressive.

We don't have a bunch of players coming off our book sat the end of the year. Atlee Hammaker, John Rabb... Brad Wellman. Goose Gossage has a vesting option which will not be reached. Chili Davis has an option, which he might decline. Probably, actually. That will be a big loss if he does.

[rpriske]

September 2nd, 1988

We are in Montreal, joined by all the new guys.

With Butch Henry on the team, I am no longer the youngest guy up here.

Today the Expos are pitching Chuck Finley (12-10, 2.62).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (15-8, 2.41).

I have had little exposure to Finley, going 1 for 6.

I led off the game by popping up to Jose Offerman at short.

The Expos scored first, as Russ McGinnis knocked in Shane Mack with a single in the 2nd inning.

Expos lead 1-0

I led off the 3rd by flying out to Mike Maksudian in left.

I came up next with two out in the 4th and grounded out to McGinnis at 1st.

I made a great play in the 6th to start a Priske - Thompson - Aldrete double play to get Jose Oquendo and Mack. After that, though, Chris Sabo scored on a Maksudian single.

Expos lead 2-0

I caught an Offerman pop for the 2nd out in the 7th. I then took care of a Sabo grounder for the 3rd out.

I came up with one out in the 8th and grounded out to Offerman.

In the bottom half, Mack scored on a Maksudian double.
With two out and two out, Jim had finally seen enough and brought in Bobby Thigpen to pitch.

We ended up losing 3-0.

I can't say much, since I went 0 for 4, but it feels like the team doesn't have the drive we need. Where is the veteran leadership? I was hoping that Bob Brenly would be that guy, but he sure hasn't this year.

Rick Sutcliffe has done his best, but there are too many slackers in this outfit. We need someone to whip us into shape, and I don't know if Jim is the Manager for that... and they certainly aren't going to listen to this 20 year old.

[rpriske]

September 3rd, 1988

In Montreal and if we are going to turn anything around, it has to start now.

The Expos are pitching Scott Bankhead (7-13, 4.21).

The Giants have Eric Show (12-12, 3.40).

I have gone 8 for 31, or .258, against Bankhead.

I opened up the game by taking a walk.
Stolen base #124. I moved to 3rd on a deep fly out by Mike Aldrete and then scored on an infield single by Chili Davis.

Giants lead 1-0

We made a nice Priske - Thompson - Aldrete double play to get Jose Offerman and Chris Sabo in the 1st.

Bob Brenly led off the 2nd with a home run.
I came up with two out and popped out to Russ McGinnis at 1st.

Giants lead 2-0

In the 3rd both Mike and Chili scored on a Robby Thompson double and then Robby and Alan Cockrell scored on a Brian Giles single.

Giants lead 6-0

I led off the 4th, now facing Mark Tindall. I flew out to Chuck Jackson in right.

I got the last out of the inning off a Shane Mack grounder.

I came up in the 6th with none out and Eric on 1st. I hit into a fielder's choice.
Stolen base #125.
I scored on a single by Mike.
A couple of batters later, Rob Deer smashed a three-run homer.

Giants lead 10-0

I took care of an Offerman grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom half. I then caught a Sabo floater for the 3rd.

I was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 7th, with such a big lead.

We ended up giving up a couple of runs but still winning 10-2.

I went 0 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored, and two stolen bases.

[rpriske]

September 4th, 1988

This is the last game of this road trip.

The Expos are pitching Wally Whitehurst (10-12, 4.73).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (13-8, 2.79).

I have gone 5 for 15 against Whitehurst.

I led off the game by hitting one up the middle for a single.
I was thrown out trying to advance to 3rd on a Mike Aldrete single.
Mike ended up scoring on a Rob Deer double.

Giants lead 1-0

I came up next in the 2nd with one out. Bob Brenly was on 3rd and Alan Cockrell was on 2nd. I reached with an infield RBI single!
Stolen base #126.
Alan and I both scored on a double by Mike!
Mike scored on a single by Rob.
Chili Davis scored on a Jim Presley sac fly.

Giants lead 6-0

I made a great play on a Russ McGinnis grounder for the first out in the bottom half.
Rich Gedman scored on a Chuck Jackson triple.

Giants lead 6-1

In the 3rd Jose Oquendo scored on a single by Shane Mack.

Giants lead 6-2

I led off the 4th, now facing Mark Tindall. I grounded out to Jose Offerman at short.

I handled a Jackson grounder for the last out of the inning.

I came up in the 5th with two out and the bases juiced - Jim was on 3rd, Alan on 2nd, Bruce on 1st. David Lee came in to face me. I singled, scoring Jim and Alan! Then Mike doubled Bruce and me home!

Giants lead 10-2

I took care of a Mack fielder's choice ball for the first out in the bottom of the 6th.

I came up in the 7th with one out and Bruce on 1st. I replaced him with a fielder's choice to Chris Sabo at 3rd.
Chris Brown pinch hit for Mike and while he was up I grabbed Stolen Base #127.
That was iffy when up by eight.
Chris put a ball in the seats for a home run!

Giants lead 12-2

Kelvin Torve took over at 1st for us.

In the 8th it was Bob's turn with a two run blast!

Giants lead 14-2

Jim sent in Butch Henry to pitch for us after that.

I led off the 9th, now against Mike Henneman. I struck out.

The score held and we had demolished the Expos, 14-2

I went 3 for 6, all singles, with three RBI, three runs scored, and two stolen bases! I even made the highlights for the game!

We were responsible for officially eliminating Montreal from the playoffs.

Sorry Granddad!

We might be next. We have a 3.5% chance of making the playoffs at this point.

We are heading home to play the Padres now. They lead us by six games. This series is huge. We really need to sweep.

[rpriske]

September 5th, 1988

Here we go. The Padres are in town. They lead the division by five games over the Dodgers and six over us. They have a Magic Number of 22.

We need to win, and win, and win.

They are pitching Mark Langston (16-12, 2.87).

The Giants have Frank Viola (16-8, 2.09).

I have gone 7 for 29, or .179, against Langston.

Let's go.

In the 1st we turned a Thompson - Priske - Aldrete double play to get Randy Ready and Tony Gwynn to end the inning.

Then I led off the bottom half by grounding out to Ready at 3rd.

I got the 2nd out in the 2nd off an Ozzie Guillen pop. I then took care of a Carmelo Martinez grounder for the 3rd.

I came up in the 3rd with none out and Frank on 1st. I hit it to Harold Reynolds at 2nd for a double play.

The Padres opened the scoring in the 5th when Martinez hit a deep solo homer. After that I took care of a Reynolds grounder for the 3rd out.

Padres lead 1-0

I came up with one out in the 6th and managed a walk. I was thrown out trying to steal 2nd.

I handled a Reynolds grounder for the 2nd out in the 8th. That was followed by a solo shot by Ready.

Padres lead 2-0

I came up in the 8th with two out and pinch hitter Chris Brown on 2nd. I flew out to Martinez in left.

Mark Davis came in to pitch the 9th for us.
He gave up a lead off single to John Kruk followed by an RBI triple to Junior Felix.
I caught a Martinez pop for out #2.
Felix scored on a Rick Cerone double.

Padres lead 4-0

And that was it. Shut out.

I went 0 for 3 with a walk and a caught stealing.

[rpriske]

September 6th, 1988

Our previous outing against the Padres was not good.

We have another shot at them today.

The Padres are pitching Ed Wojna (4-3, 3.12).

The Giants are going with Willie Fraser (4-10, 3.69).

I got the 2nd out of the game off a Randy Ready grounder.

I led off our half by wearing a Wonja changeup.
I went to 2nd on a Mike Aldrete single.
We were both left on.

I might a nice play on an Ozzie Guillen liner for the 3rd out in the 2nd.

I led off the bottom of the 3rd by walking on seven pitches.
Stolen base #128
I went to 3rd on another single by Mike.
Chili Davis then put one in the right field seats! Home run!
One out later, Jim Presley also homered!

Giants lead 4-0

They got on the board in the 4th as Ready scored on a Tony Gwynn sac fly.
I took care of an Armando Verdugo grounder for the 3rd out.

Giants lead 4-1

I came up with two out in the 4th and reached on an infield single.
I was left.

In the 5th Chili scored on an error.

Giants lead 5-1

I took care of a Ready grounder for the 3rd out in the 6th.

I led off the bottom half, now facing Gregory Sillivent. I grounded out to Guillen at short.

In the 7th Gwynn scored on a Guillen groundout.
I handled a Carmelo Martinez grounder for the 3rd out.

Giants lead 5-2

In the 8th I started a Priske - Thompson - Aldrete double play to get pinch hitter Dwayne Murphy and Luis Lopez.
Scott Garrelts took over for us after Willie gave up a hit, but he got the 3rd out.

I led off the bottom of the 8th, now facing Mark Williamson.
I struck out.
Scott got two outs in the 9th but also allowed a couple of base runners so Jim went to Mark Davis. He got the last guy for the save and we had the 5-2 win.

I went 1 for 3 with a single, a walk, a hit-by-pitch, a run scored, and a stolen base.

Now the Braves are coming to town.

[rpriske]

September 7th, 1988

The Braves are in town and are pitching Brian Holman (5-13, 4.31).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (15-9, 2.44).

I have only one hit in six chances against Holman.

I started the game off badly, making an error on the second batter of the game. We got out of it with a Thompson - Priske - Aldrete double play to get Milt Thompson and Ken Griffey Jr.

I led off our half by grounding out to Gary Sheffield at short.

I handled a Jeff Blauser grounder for the 3rd out in the 2nd.

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

In the 4th, Robby Thompson scored on an Alan Cockrell single.

Giants lead 1-0

I led off in the 5th and flew out to Griffey Jr. in centre.

In the 7th I started a Priske - Thompson - Aldrete double play to get Ron Gant and Galarraga.

I came up in the bottom frame with one out and Bob Brenly on 3rd and Alan on 2nd. I walked.
All three of us were left on.

I got the 3rd out in the 8th, taking care of a Holman grounder.

Rick couldn't quite get the complete game, as he was lifted with two on and two out in the 9th. Jim went to Mark Davis, of course. It looked like he gave up the game tying hit right away but I managed to snag the Galarraga grounder and got the out!

We won, 1-0.

I went 0 for 3 with a walk and an error, but I also made a game saving play.

[rpriske]

September 8th, 1988

Today the Braves are pitching Brian Fisher (7-10, 4.98).

The Giants have Eric Show (13-12, 3.35).

I have done really well against Fisher, going 8 for 18.

I took care of a Milt Thompson liner for the 2nd out of the game.

I led off our half by grounding out to Andres Galarraga at 1st.

The Braves got on the board first in the 2nd as Ron Gant scored on a Brad Komminsk double.

Braves lead 1-0

We got it right back in the bottom half when Robby Thompson scored on an Alan Cockrell groundout.
I came up with two out and Bob Brenly on 3rd. I reached on an error while Bob scored!
Stolen base #129 followed. I was left.

Giants lead 2-1

Our lead was just as short lived as Gary Sheffield hit a solo homer in the 3rd. Then Thompson scored on a Galarraga single. Ken Griffey Jr. scored on a Jeff Blauser single. I handles a Komminsk grounder for the 3rd out.

Braves lead 4-2

I came up with two out in the 4th and grounded out to Sheffield at short.

With one out and one on in the 7th, Jim pulled Eric in favour of Bobby Thigpen.

I came up in the bottom of the 7th with one out and Alan on 3rd. I grounded out to Sheffield, but Alan scored.

Braves lead 4-3

Scott Garrelts relieved for us in the 8th.

Galarraga scored on a Blauser double.

Braves lead 5-3

Jeff Robinson came in to pitch the 9th.
He struck out the side.

I led off the bottom of the 9th, now facing Duane Ward. I grounded out to Galarraga.
We were unable to score and lost, 5-3.

I went 0 for 5 with an RBI and a stolen base.

My batting average is down to .276

I still think we are the best team in the division, but we are trailing by 7 games and are listed as having only a 1.2% chance of making the playoffs.

There are too many players on the team that are okay with this.

Tomorrow the Astros come to town.

[rpriske]

September 9th, 1988

The Astros have arrived and they are pitching Manny Hernandez (8-14, 4.28).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (14-8, 2.78).

I have gone a mere 3 for 17 against Hernandez.

The Astros struck right away in the top of the 1st as Bill Doran scored on a Dave Gallagher double.

We finished the inning with a Priske - Thompson - Aldrete double play to get Craig Biggio and Glenn Davis.

Astros lead 1-0

I led off our half by grounding out to Doran at 2nd.

I took care of a Doran grounder for the 2nd out in the 3rd. I then got Gallagher the same way for the 3rd out.

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

In the 4th Davis smashed a two run homer.

Astros lead 3-0

In the 4th we got on the board with a solo shot by Rob Deer.

Astros lead 3-1

I led off in the 6th by taking a walk.
Stolen base #130.
I scored on a double by Mike Aldrete.
Mike then scored on a single by Rob to tie things up.

Game tied 3-3

I got the 2nd in the 7th off a Juan Delgado grounder.

I then got the 1st out in the 8th off a Hernandez grounder.

I came up with one out in the 8th and struck out.

Mark Davis came in to pitch for us in the 9th.

We went to extras and I got the first guy in the 10th - pinch hitter Keith Hernandez - with a groundout.
I got pinch hitter Ray Knight for the 3rd out.

I came up with out in the 10th, with Alan Cockrell on 1st. Anthony Kelley was pitching. I flew out to Louie Meadows in left.

Goose Gossage came in to pitch in the 11th.

The Astros grabbed the lead back in the 12th with a Davis home run.

Astros lead 4-3

We were unable to get it back and we lost.

I went 0 for 4 with a walk, a run scored, and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

September 10th, 1988

We have a big pitching match-up today. The Astros are pitching Mike Scott (17-5, 2.50).
The Giants have Frank Viola (16-9, 2.10).

I have gone 9 for 43, or .209 against Scott.

I led off the home side by grounding out to Bill Doran at 2nd.

We took the lead in the 2nd when Jim Presley scored on a Bob Brenly double.

Giants lead 1-0

I made the 1st out in the 3rd, taking care of a Scott grounder. I then did the same to Doran for out #2.

I led off the bottom frame by grounding out to Glenn Davis at 1st.

In the 5th Bob scored on a sweet squeeze play by Frank!
I came up with Frank on 1st and one out. I flew out to Dave Gallagher in centre.

Giants lead 2-0

In the 7th I came up with two out and Bob on 3rd. I lined out to Gallagher.

I got the 3rd out in the 8th off a bases loaded grounder by pinch hitter Craig Biggio.

In the bottom half Chili Davis smacked a solo shot.

Giants lead 3-0

Not only did we win, but Frank tied the team record by striking out twelve!

I went 0 for 4. I need to turn this around.

[rpriske]

September 11th, 1988

It is the rubber match of the series and the Astros are bringing Ed Caballero (5-14, 5.70).

The Giants have Willie Fraser (5-10, 3.61).

I have very limited exposure to Caballero, going 0 for 2.

We turned a Thompson - Priske - Aldrete double play to get Jim Dwyer and Harold Baines in the 1st.

I led off our side by taking a four pitch walk.
I went to 2nd on a Mike Aldrete single.
Then Chili Davis walked to load the bases.
I scored on an infield single by Rob Deer.
All three base runners scored on a Jim Presley double.

Giants lead 4-0

We hit around that inning so I led off in the 2nd by reaching with an infield hit.
Stolen base #131.
I was left on.

I caught a Jim Dwyer pop for the 3rd out in the 3rd.

I came up with two out in the 4th. I reached on an error by shortstop Dickie Thon.
Stolen base #132.
Then Mike walked but we are both left on.

I came up in the 6th with two out and Phil Ouellette on 1st. I grounded out to Thon at short.

Thon then came up with two out in the 7th and hit a home run.

Giants lead 4-1

In the bottom half we had a good go. We loaded the bases and then Mike, Chili, and Rob all scored on a Robby Thompson double. Robby then scored on a single by Phil.

Giants lead 8-1

I was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 8th.

The score held and we had the win.

I went 1 for 3 with a single, a walk, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

We head down the coast after this as we play tomorrow in San Diego.

[rpriske]

September 12th, 1988

We are at Jack Murphy in San Diego and the Padres are pitching Tim Belcher (17-7, 2.31).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (16-9, 2.35).

I have the day off.

I ended up getting a pinch hitting opportunity, which I failed.

We lost, 7-5.


September 13th, 1988

Still in San Diego and the Padres are pitching Bryn Smith (11-12, 3.72).

We have Eric Show (13-13, 3.42).

I have gone 5 for 25 against Smith.

I kicked things off by grounding out to Mark Wasinger at 2nd.
Mike Aldrete ended up scoring on a Robby Thompson groundball.

Giants lead 1-0

I caught an Ozzie Guillen pop for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 1st.

I came up with one out in the 3rd and hit one through the right side for a single.
Stolen base #133.
I went to 3rd on a two out single by Chili Davis. We were both left on.

I got the 2nd out in the bottom half off a Guillen grounder.

I made the last out in the 4th off a Wasinger grounder.

I came up with two out in the 5th and struck out.

In the 6th I got Guillen again - a grounder for the 1st out.

In the 8th I grounded out to Wasinger for the 3rd out.

In the 9th Jim Presley put one in the seats for a two-run homer!

Giants lead 3-0

Eric got a two-hit shut out! He was named the #1 performer of the day on the sportscasts!

I went 1 for 4 with a single and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

September 14th, 1988

We are in San Diego and facing Storm Davis (8-10, 4.54).

The Giants are pitching Bruce Ruffin (14-8, 2.77).

I have gone 3 for 6 against Davis, but I am also on a bit of a cold streak. Time to turn things around.

I led things off by popping one up to Ozzie Guillen at short.

I took care of a leadoff grounder by Harold Reynolds in the bottom half.

I then did the same to Darrell Miller for the final out in the 2nd.

I led off the 4th by flying out to Miller in left.

I took care of a Randy Ready grounder for the 1st out in the bottom half.

The first hit for either team came in the 5th - an infield single by Miller.

In the 6th Davis scored on a John Kruk single. Then Ready scored on a Mark Wasinger single.
Jim handed the ball over to Bobby Thigpen after that.
Kruk scored on a Guillen single. Wasinger and Guillen scored on a Miller triple. Miller scored on a Mark Parent double.

Padres lead 6-0

And we still didn't have a hit.

I led off the 7th and ended that with an infield single, breaking up the no-hitter.
I moved to 2nd on a Mike Aldrete single and to 3rd on a Rob Deer fly out.
Mike and I were left on.

I came up in the 8th with two out, Greg Litton on 2nd, and pinch hitter Chili Davis on 1st. I singled through the right side but Greg was gunned down trying to score from 2nd.

Butch Henry took over pitching duties for us after that.

I got the last out in the 8th off a base loaded grounder by Ready.

We could not score in the 9th and were shut out.

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles.

Meanwhile, the Mets have clinched the NL East.

There are still technically four teams in the race for the NL West but it would take a miracle for us, and an even bigger miracle for the Astros.

Speaking of the Astros, we are heading to Houston on our travel day.

[rpriske]

September 16th, 1988

We are in Houston and the Astros are pitching Manny Hernandez (8-14, 4.24).

The Giants have Frank Viola (17-9, 2.02). Frank basically needs three wins in four starts to reach 20.

I have gone only 3 for 20 against Hernandez.

I kicked things off by popping out to Dickie Thon at short.

We opened the scoring in the 2nd as Jim Presley crossed on a Bob Brenly single.

Giants lead 1-0

I got the final out of the inning off a Thon grounder.

I led off the 3rd by grounding out to Thon.
Things went better for the others guys, though, as Chili Davis launched a two run homer and Jim hit a solo shot.

Giants lead 4-0

I led off the 5th and I grounded out to Glenn Davis at 1st.

I caught a little fly by Harold Baines for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 6th.

I came up with two out in the 7th and grounded out to Bill Doran at 2nd.

I am ice cold right now.

The Astros got on the board in the 8th when Craig Biggio scored on a Baines double.
I got the final out of the inning with a good play on a Rance Mulliniks grounder.

Giants lead 4-1

Mark Davis came in to close things out for us. I got the first guy, with an easy grounder by Thon. The next two guys were also fairly simple and we had the win, which notches number 18 for Frankie.

No thanks to me. 0 for 4.

[rpriske]

September 17th, 1988

An afternoon game in Houston, though in the Dome, does it matter?

The Astros are pitching Ed Caballero (5-15, 5.71).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (16-10, 2.52).

I have gone 1 for 5 against Caballero.

I opened up the game by managing a walk.
I went to 3rd on a Mike Aldrete single and then we both scored on a Chili Davis triple.
Chili scored on a Jim Presley single.

Giants lead 3-0

I came up with one out in the 2nd and walked again.
Stolen base #134.
I went to 3rd on a fly ball by Mike, but was left on.

The Astros got on the board the tinning when Rance Mulliniks scored on a Dave Gallagher sac fly.
I got the 3rd out off a Dickie Thon grounder.

Giants lead 3-1

I led off the 5th by hitting one through the right side for a single.
With one out I grabbed stolen base #135.
I went to 3rd on a single by Chili, but we were both left on.

I took care of a Thon grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom half.

In the 6th Steve Stanicek popped a solo homer.

Giants lead 4-1

I led off the 7th by striking out.

In the 8th Keith Hernandez belted a pinch hit, two run homer.
I caught a tough fly from Bill Doran for the 2nd out of the inning.

Giants lead 4-3

I led off the 9th against Mark Knudson. I flew out to Jim Dwyer in left.

Mark Davis came in to close it out for us and he did just that.

I went 1 for 3 with a single, two walks, a run scored, and two stolen bases.