Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

May 31st, 1990

We are back home and ready to face the Astros.

They are pitching Randy Tomlin (2-4, 4.65).

The Giants are going with Bruce Ruffin (3-3, 3.89).

I have done well in limited opportunities against Tomlin, going 3 for 9.

I led off the home side of the 1st by grounding out to Glenn Davis at 1st.

The Astros struck first as Davis scored on a assed ball with none out in the 2nd. Then Craig Worthington scored as I threw out Wayne Housie on a grounder for the 2nd out.

Astros lead 2-0

I handled a Felix Jose grounder for the 1st out in the 3rd.

I came up in the 3rd with two out and Robby Thompson on 2nd. While I was at the plate, Robby moved to 3rd on a passed ball. Then I walked.
We were both left on.

We got those runs back in the 4th. First Ruben Sierra scored on an Alan Cockrell double and then Alan scored on a Tim Naehring single.

Game tied 2-2

I led off the bottom of the 5th by grounding out back to the pitcher.

They got the lead back in the 6th when Craig Biggio scored on a single by Davis.
Worthington followed with a two run homer.

Jim went to Mark Ross after that.

Astros lead 5-2

In the 7th Jose scored on a Davis single.
Then Biggio and Davis scored on a Worthington single.

Astros lead 8-2

In the 7th Tim hit a solo homer.
I came up with two out and grounded out to Davis again.

Astros lead 8-3

Rick Sutcliffe took the mound for us in the 8th.

Harold Baines led off the bottom of the 8th with a home run.

Astros lead 8-4

Bobby Thigpen came in for the 9th.

I came up in the bottom of the 9th with two out and David Wilhelmi pitching. I grounded out to Spike Owen at 2nd.

We lost again.

I went 0 for 4 with a walk.

Some good news, though... Alvin Davis was named the NL Hitter of the Month for May!

At the end of May we have a record off 22-29, for last in the AL West. (There are three NL teams worse than us, but they are all in the East.)

The Padres are the top NL team, with the Mets leading the East.

(Cleveland and Oakland are the top AL teams.)

I have gone into a pretty sharp decline in May.

In April I hit .328 with an OPS of .875.
In May I hit .275 with an OPS of .653.

I think the tough season for the Giants as wearing on me. I need to pick it up.

[rpriske]

June 1st, 1990

Another game against the Astros.

They are pitching fellow Canadian, Rheal Cormier (3-1, 5.00).

The Giants have John Burkett (1-4, 4.62).

I haven't faced Cormier much, but I have gone 2 for 4 with a home run.

I led off the home side by lining out to namesake Rusty Greer in left.

The Astros got on the boar int he 2nd when Craig Biggio scored on a single by Clay Belllinger.

Astros lead 1-0

I took care of a Glenn Davis grounder for the 2nd out in the 3rd.

I came up with one out in the bottom of the 3rd and grounded out to Bellinger at short.

In the 4th, Felix Jose scored on a Jim Edmonds single.
Then Edmonds scored on a Craig Worthington single.

Astros lead 3-0

In the 5th, Greer scored on a Biggio groundout.

Astros lead 4-0

I came up in the 5th with two out, Dale Murphy on 3rd, and Tim Naehring on 1st. I was hit by a pitch, loading the bases.
We were all left there.

Rick Sutcliffe relieved for us in the 6th.

Jimmy Paredes led off the 7th with a home run.
I took care of a Davis grounder for the 3rd out.

Astros lead 5-0

We finally scored in the 7th when Robby Thompson crossed on a pinch hit single by Greg Myers.
I came up with none out, Greg on 1st, and Tim on 3rd.
I walked, loading the bases.
Harold Baines hit into a double play, though Tim scored.

Astros lead 5-2

Mark Davis took the mound for us in the 8th.
Biggio scored on a Bellinger sac fly.

Astros lead 6-2

In the bottom half Alan Cockrell belted a two-run dinger.

Astros lead 6-4

Mark Williamson relieved for us in the 9th.
Worthington homered off him.
I made a lurching stab to catch a Greer liner. I threw my back out a bit, but I walked it off.

Astros lead 7-4

I led off the bottom of the 9th against Lee Guetterman. I dropped one into left for a single.
I scored on a double by Harold.
Joel Chimelis replaced him as a pinch runner and ended up scoring on a fielder's choice by Alan.
Then Alvin Davis scored on a sac fly by Dale!

Tie game 7-7. Extra innings!

Bobby Thigpen took over for us in the 10th. Ryan Klesko replaced Dale in a double switch. Joel stayed in to play right.

I came up with one out, Ryan on 2nd, and David Wilhelmi pitching.
They gave me an intentional walk.
We were left on.

The Astro took the lead back in the 11th when pinch runner Tony Barron scored on a Worthington single.

Astros lead 8-7

We were unable to get it back and lost.

I went 1 for 3 with a single, two walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a run scored.

[rpriske]

June 2nd. Frank Viola vs Chris Hammond but Jim has given me the day off.

I pinch-hit in the 8th and was hit by a pitch and ended up scoring. I didn't stay in. The game went 13 innings before we won, 4-3.

[rpriske]

June 3rd, 1990

We finish with the Astros today.

They are pitching Pat Combs, making his first start of the season.

The Giants have Scott Garrelts (7-3, 4.36).

None of us have faced Combs before.

I led off for the home side by striking out.

I took care of a Johnny Paredes grounder for the 3rd out in the 2nd.

I came up in the 3rd with one out and Joel Camels on 2nd. I hit what looked like a single by Clay Bellinger managed to snag it at short.
Harold Baines singled Joel home.

Giants lead 1-0

I handled a Rusty Greer grounder for the 1st out in the 4th.
Glenn Davis scored on a Craig Biggio single.

Game tied 1-1

In the 5th, Felix Jose hit a two run homer.
Craig Worthington scored on a Greer triple.

Astros lead 4-1

I came up in the 5th with one out and Joel on 2nd again. Once again Bellinger robbed me of a hit, but this time he threw it away and I took 2nd on his error. Joel scored on the play.
I one to 3rd on a fly out by Harold.
I scored on a wild pitch.

Astros lead 4-3

I started a Priske - Myers - Davis double play to get Biggio at home and Combs at 1st to end the top of the 6th.

Tim Naehring led off the bottom of the inning with a home run.

Game tied 4-4

I led off the bottom of the 7th. They brought in David Wilhelmi to face me.
I walked.
Stolen base #45.
I scored on a two out single by Ruben Sierra.

Giants lead 5-4

I came up in the 8th with two out, Greg Myers on 2nd, and pinch hitter Robby Thompson on 1st. I was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Harold struck out.

Bobby Thigpen came in for the 9th.
Three batters later we had the game.

I went 0 for 3 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch, two runs scored, and a stolen base.

After the game we got the All-Star Voting Update.

I am leading at 3B. I am the only one on the team likely to get voted on, but Alvin Davis, Frank Viola, and Mark Davis are also getting decent votes.

I hate to say it, but Frank getting that many votes considering the year he is having shows how much of a popularity contest it is.

[rpriske]

June 4th, 1990

The Reds have come to town.

They are pitching Dan Gakeler, making his Major League debut.

The Giants have Roy Smith (1-0, 4.35).

I led off for the home side by flying out to Mike Greenwell in right.

I took care of a Mike Mordecai grounder for the 3rd out in the 2nd.

In the bottom frame, Ryan Klesko smashed a three-run homer.

Giants lead 3-0

I led off the bottom of the 3rd by legging out an infield single to the left side.
I was thrown out trying to steal 2nd.

In the 5th I fielded a Greenwell grounder but then threw it away for an error.
Greenwell ended up scoring on a Mordecai sac fly, so that one is on me.

Giants lead 3-1

I came up with one out in the bottom of the 5th and drove one over the right field fence for my first home run of the year!

Giants lead 4-1

In the 6th Robby Thompson scored when Joel Chimelis walked with the bases loaded.
I came up with two out, Dale Murphy on 3rd, and Joel on 2nd. Greg Cadaret was pitching. I grounded out back to the pitcher.

Giants lead 5-1

In the 7th I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get Kal Daniels and Greenwell.

Will Clark led off the 9th with a home run.

Roy ended up with a complete game, 5-2 win.

I went 2 for 4 with a home run, a single, a run scored, and RBI, and a caught stealing.

[rpriske]

June 5th, 1990

We beat the Reds yesterday. Let's make it two in a row.

They are pitching Tom Browning (7-3, 2.72).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (3-4, 4.24).

I have gone 13 for 46, or .283, against Browning.

I led off the home side by walking on four pitches.
Stolen base #46 AND #47.
I scored on a Harold Baines sac fly.

Giants lead 1-0

The lead was short lived as in the 2nd, Eric Davis scored on a Tim Naehring error.
Kal Daniels then scored on a Felix Fermin sac fly.
Two unearned.

Reds lead 2-1

I led off the bottom of the 3rd, grounding out to Fermin at 2nd.
Harold ended up scoring on a wild pitch, evening the score.

Game tied 2-2

They got the lead back in the 5th when Fermin scored on a Mike Greenwell groundout.

Reds lead 3-2

I led off the bottom of the 5th, flying out to Greenwell in right.

I handled a grounder by Shawon Dunston for the 3rd out in the 6th.

I led off the bottom of the 7th, reaching on an infield single.
I was replaced on a fielder's choice by Robby Thompson.

Bobby Thigpen took over for us in the 9th.
Things didn't go great, and Dunston scored on a Fermin single.

Reds lead 4-2

I led off the bottom of the 9th, facing John Franco.
I grounded out to Will Clark at 1st.

We were unable to score.

I went 1 for 4 with a single, a walk, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

[rpriske]

June 6th, 1990

We have slip with the Reds. We can take the series today.

They are pitching John Farrell (1-5, 4.57).

The Giants have John Burkett (1-4, 4.53).

Farrell is new from the AL this year so I have not faced him before.

The Red struck early as Carlos Baerga scored on a Kal Daniels double in the 1st.

Reds lead 1-0.

I led off for our side and grounded out to Mike Mordecai at short.
A few batters later, Harold Baines launched a two run homer.

Giants lead 2-1

I got the 1st out in the 2nd - a Tim McIntosh grounder - but John Patterson scored on the play.

Game tied 2-2

We got the lead back in the bottom half when Tim Naehring scored on a single by John.
I came up with two out and John on 1st. I grounded out to Mordecai again.

Giants lead 3-2

They got it right back in the 3rd when Baerga scored on a throwing error by Alvin Davis.
Then Daniels scored on a McIntosh sac fly.

Reds lead 4-3

They scored again in the 4th when Eric Davis crossed on a Will Clark sac fly.
With two out and two on in the 4th, Jim brought in Rod Nichols.
He got the out.

Reds lead 5-3

I came up in the 5th with one out and Rod on 1st. I hit one to the right field wall for a double. Rod went to 3rd.
Alvin walked to load them up,
Ruben hit one on the ground and they threw out Rod at home.
We ended up leaving them loaded.

Mark Davis took over for us in the 7th.

With one out he gave up a solo homer to McIntosh.

Reds lead 6-3

I led off the bottom of the 7th by grounding out to Patterson at 2nd.
Later that frame, Alvin scored on a Robby Thompson single.

Reds lead 6-4

Dale Murphy pinch hit for Ryan Klesko that inning and stayed in tot play CF.

Daniels hit a two run homer in the top of the 8th.
Mark Ross took the mound after that.

Reds lead 8-4

Rick Sutcliffe took over for the 9th.

I led off the bottom of the 9th, now facing Jay Howell.
I sailed one to right for a single.
With one out, Ruben Sierra singled and I went to 2nd.
Harold hit into a fielder's choice and I went to 3rd.
We were left on and dropped another game.

I went 2 for 5 with a double and a single.

Tomorrow is a travel day and we are headed to Atlanta.

As if I wasn't grumpy enough.

````````````````````

So, as I said, I have been grumpy about our play. But that is only because I know we can do better.

So, no free agency for me.

The Giants have really stepped up.

I just signed an 8-year contract extension for $22,200,000.

My birthday is the 22nd. I wear #22. I am 22 years old. It seems appropriate.

[rpriske]

June 8th, 1990

So, I am a Giant for the long haul.

This season may be a bit if a write-off, but I don't want us listed as one of those first-to-worst teams. Let's get it going.

We are in Atlanta. I hate playing here.

The Braves are pitching Ben McDonald (5-4, 3.35)

We have Frank Viola (4-5, 4.29).

I haven't done well against McDonald, going only 3 for 17.

I led off the game by flying out to Mike Humphreys in left.

The Braves got on the board int the 1st when Jerome Walton scored on a Ken Griffey Jr. sac fly.
I caught a Jeff Blauser pop for the final out in the inning.

Braves lead 1-0

Alan Cockrell led off the 2nd with a home run.
I came up with two out, Robby Thompson on 2nd, and Tim Naehring on 1st.
I got an RBI single!
TIm and I were left on.

Giants lead 2-1

In the 3rd we led off with back-to-back jacks by Harold Baines and Ryan Klesko!
Later, Alan scored on a fielder's choice by Tim.
I came up with two out, Tim on 2nd, and Frank on 1st. They brought in Todd Revenig to face me but I lined out to Jim Thome at short.

Giants lead 5-1

With two out in the bottom of the 3rd, Gary Sheffield went yard.

Giants lead 5-2

I took care of a Tony Pena grounder for the final out in the 4th.

I came up with one out in the 6th and they brought John Dodd in too face me.
I beat a roller out for an infield single.
Stolen base #48.
I was left on.

In the 6th Walton scored on a Griffey single.
Then Sheffield scored on a Blauser sac fly.
I handled a Pena grounder to end the threat.

Giants lead 5-4

In the 7th Frank walked Sheffield with the bases loaded to tie the game.
That was enough for Jim who brought in Mark Davis with one out.
He got out of it.

Game tied 5-5

I came up in the 8th with two out and Norm Charlton on the mound.
I grounded out to Thome.

Mark Williamson took the mound for us in the bottom of the 8th.
He got his three and then Bobby Thigpen took over in the 9th.

I took care of a Walton fielder's choice for the 2nd out and then I handled a Sheffield grounder to send us to extras.

I caught a Griffey pop for the 1st out in the bottom of the 10th.

I came up in the 11th with one out, pinch hitter Rob Deer on 1st, and Duane Ward pitching.
Blauser made a good play to get me at 1st. Rob went to 2nd.
He was left on.

Mark Ross took over for us in the 11th.
I took care of a Humphreys grounder for the final out of the inning.

I came up in the 13th with two out, Tim on 2nd, and inch hitter Greg Myers on 1st. Barry Jones was pitching.

Fastball misses away. 1-0
Fastball fouled back. 1-1
Fastball high. 2-1
Fastball outside. 3-1
Fastball swing and miss. 3-2
Fastball misses the plate. Walk, loading the bases.

Alvin Davis struck out and we left them juiced.

Rick Sutcliffe took over for us in the bottom of the 13th.
He got through the tinning, but in the 14th Ed Sprague hit an RBI single to give them the walk-off win.

I went 2 for 6 with a pair of singles, a walk, and RBI, and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

June 9th, 1990

We lost yesterday so if we don't want to lose another series we need to start by beating the Braves today.

They are pitching Brian Holman (6-3, 2.87).

The Giants have Roy Smith (2-0, 2.79).

I have gone 5 for 22, or .227, against Holman.

I opened the game by striking out.

The Brave struck right away as Jerome Walton scored on a Ken Griffey Jr. double before recording an out.
Then Griffey scored on an Andres Galarraga single.
With two out, Galarraga scored on a Mike Humphreys single.

Braves lead 3-0

I took care of a Holman grounder for the 1st out int he bottom of the 2nd.

I came up in the 3rd with one out and Tim Naehring on 2nd.
I walked.
Then Alvin Davis singled, loading the bases.
All of us moved up, including Tim scoring, on a Ruben Sierra groundout.
Harold Baines then hit a three-run homer.

Giants lead 4-3

In the 4th Chuck Lynn hit a solo homer.

Game tied 4-4

I led off the 5th by taking another walk.
Stolen base #49.
I went to 3rd on a groundout by Ruben.
I was left there.

I handled a Gary Sheffield grounder for the last out in the 5th.

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

Mark Ross took the mound for us in the 7th.
I took care of a Galarraga grounder for the 2nd out behind him.

I erased a grounder by pinch hitter Jeff Bagwell for the 1st out in the bottom of the 9th.
With two out, Mark Williamson relieved for us and sent it to extras.

I came up in the 10th with one out, pinch hitter Craig Grebeck on 1st, and John Dodd pitching.
I flew out to Humphreys in left.

Bobby Thigpen took the mound for us in the bottom of the 10th.
He got through that inning but gave up back to back hits in the 11th to give the Braves a walk-off, 5-4 win.

I went 0 for 3 with two walks, a run scored, and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

June 10th, 1990

We lost the first two games of a four game set in Atlanta.

Today the Braves are pitching Brian Holton (3-2, 3.92).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (3-5, 3.94).

I have very little exposure to Holton, going 0 for 2.

I kicked things off by fouling out to Tony Pena behind the plate.

I took are of a Gary Sheffield grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom half.

Things went better for us in the 2nd when Robby Thompson scored on a Ryan Klesko triple and then Ryan scored on a Tim Naehring single.

Giants lead 1-0

I led off the 3rd by striking out.

The Braves got on the board in the 4th when Sheffield scored on a Jeff Blauser double.
I took care of a Pena grounder to end it there.

Giants lead 2-1

I came up with two out in the 5th and grounded out to Blauser at 2nd.

I next came up with two out in the 7th, but now facing Mike Bormann.
I hit one to centre for a double.
I scored on an Alvin Davis single.

Giants lead 3-1

I took care of an Andres Galarraga grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 7th.

After Bruce gave up two hits to open the bottom of the 8th, Jim brought in Mark Davis.
He walked the first batter he faced, and he got the early hook.
Mark Williamson was next to the mound.
He got Sheffield out, but it was a sac fly that scored Gary Redus.
I caught a Ken Griffey Jr. pop for the 2nd out.
Pinch runner Steve Martin scored on a Galarraga single, tying the game.
I took care of a Blauser grounder to end the inning.

Game tied 3-3

I came up in the 9th with two out, Tim on 1st, and Duane Ward pitching.
I grounded out to Blauser.

Rick Sutcliffe took over for us in the 9th.
I took care of pinch hitter Johnny Ray's grounder for the 1st out.
I then handled Redus' fielder's choice ball for the 2nd out.

We went to extras again.

Blauser singled in the bottom of the 10th, scoring Sheffield, and we were walked off again.

I went 1 for 5 with a double and a run scored.

[rpriske]

June 11th, 1990

Gene Nelson signed with us, just shy of two weeks after being released by the Angels.

Mark Ross was Designated for Assignment.

We have lost five in a row and are trying to avoid a four game sweep in Atlanta.

The Braves are pitching Tim Glavine (6-4, 3.53).

The Giants have John Burkett (1-5, 4.71).

I have done very well against Glavine, going 17 for 48, or .354, including a home run.

I opened the game by grounding out to Gary Sheffield at 3rd.

In the bottom of the 1st, I took care of a Ken Griffey Jr. grounder for the 1st out.

In the 2nd, Alan Cockrell hit a two -run homer.
I made the 3rd out by striking out.

Giants lead 2-0

I handled a Sheffield grounder for the 1st out int he bottom half.
Tony Pena scored on a Mike Humphreys double that inning.

Giants lead 2-1

In the 3rd Ruben Sierra scored on a single by Alan.

Giants lead 3-1

I came up in the 4th with one out and John on 1st.
Rain started to fall just then.
We ended up having to wait nearly an hour before I got my plate appearance.
When it happened, I hit one back to Glavine for a fielder's choice.
I never got further.

In the 5th Jerome Walton scored on a Jim Thome single.

Giants lead 3-2

I came up with two out in the 6th and grounded out to Sheffield again.

In the 7th Ruben hit a two run dinger.

Giants lead 5-2

Humphreys led off the bottom of the inning with his own blast.

With one out that inning, Jim went to Gene Nelson, who just signed on with us yesterday.
Griffey scored off him, via a Thome single.

Giants lead 5-4

In the 8th, Jim went to Mark Davis.
Things went badly for him, and for us, including a three-run, pinch-hit home run by Jeff Bagwell.

Jim went to Rick Sutcliffe after that.
This time it was Thome who hit a three-run tater.

Braves lead 10-5

I led off the 9th, facing Todd Revenig.
I grounded out to Galarraga at 1st.

We couldn't get back in it and have now lost six in a row.

I went 0 for 5.

We are heading to San Diego now.

[rpriske]

June 12th, 1990

We are on a terrible losing streak. It needs to end.

We are in San Diego. The time to change things is now, but the Padres are a tough opponent.

They are pitching Storm Davis (5-3, 3.94).

The Giants have Scott Garrelts (8-3, 4.14).

I have done very well facing the Storm, going 9 for 22, or .409.

I led things off by flying out to John Kruk in left.

In the bottom half Darrell Sherman scored a run my way - single, stolen base, stolen base, scored on a groundout.

Padres lead 1-0

I came up with one out in the 3rd and grounded out to Eric Young at 2nd.

I handled a Randy Ready fielder's choice for the first out in the bottom of the 4th.
Then Kruk scored on an Ozzie Guillen fielder's choice.

Padres lead 2-0

I led off the 6th by blooping one into short left for a single.
I was caught on a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play.

I made a great catch on a Kruk liner to end the 6th.

In the 7th, Armando Verdugo scored on a Guillen groundout.

With two on and two out in the inning, Jim went to Gene Nelson.
He walked the first two men he faced, forcing in a run.
Then Junior Felix hit a two-run single.
He walked another and then Verdugo got a three run double.

That abysmal showing was brought to an end as Jim brought in Rod Nichols.
He gave up a single followed by a Guillen RBI-single.
Another walk and then a pinch hit, two run single by Luis Lopez.

He finally got the 3rd out but not before the Padres scored TEN.

Padres lead 12-0

What in the ever-living hell was that.

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

There was no more scoring.

Seven losses in a row and this was gross.

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

[rpriske]

June 13th, 1990

After that embarrassment yesterday, and out seven game losing streak, we really need a win today.

The Padres are pitching Tom Belcher (7-6, 2.69).

The Giants have Frank Viola (4-5, 4.48).

I have gone 7 for 21 against Belcher.

We need some of that Sweet Music from last year.

I led things off by taking a four pitch walk.
With one out, I was thrown out trying to steal 2nd.

What is going on?

The Padres scored in the 2nd when Junior Felix crossed on a Harold Reynolds double.

Padres lead 1-0

I came up in the 3rd with one out and Tim Naehring on 1st. I walked again.
We both scored on a Ryan Klesko double.
Ryan scored on a Harold Baines single.

Giants lead 3-1

I handled a Charlie Hayes fielder's choice ball for the 1st out in the bottom of the 4th.

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

I next came up in the 7th, with two out and Tim on 2nd.
I fouled out to Hayes at 3rd.

Bobby Thigpen came in to pitch the 9th for us.

He gave up a hit but that was all and we had FINALLY broken that losing streak.

I went 0 for 2 with a pair of walks and a caught stealing.

[rpriske]

June 14th, 1990

We are finishing up in San Diego but Jim gave me the day off.

That's fair. This season is a rough slog. It can wear on a person.

At least that was the plan.

In the bottom of the 2nd Tim Naehring was involved in a collision at 2nd and had to leave the game. It looks pretty bad.

Jim brought me in to replace him.

Going into the 3rd we led 3-0. We had Roy Smith and they had Bryn Smith.

I came up with two out in the 4th. I reached 2nd on a throwing error by Torey Lovullo.
Then they game Craig Grebeck the intentional pass to face Roy.
I didn't quite work as Roy hit a single up the middle... but I was thrown out trying to score.

I am I slower this year?

I took care of an Ozzie Guillen grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 4th.

The Padres got not he board in the 5th when Tom Quinlan crossed on a Junior Felix double.
Then Felix scored on a John Kruk single.

Giants lead 3-2

I came up with two out in the 6th and grounded out to Guillen at short.

I caught a foul pop from Luis Lopez for the 1st out in the bottom half.

Rick Sutcliffe received for us in the 7th with two out and a man on.
He couldn't strand the inherited runner as Felix doubled home Darrell Sherman to tie the game.
Then Felix scored on a Kruk single, again.

Padres lead 4-3

In the 8th Guillen scored on a Lovullo single.
Lovullo ended up scoring on a Felix sac fly.
Pinch hitter Greg Bailey scored ona. Charlie Hayes single.

Padres lead 7-3

I came up in the 9th with none out, Alan Cockrell on 1st, and Eric King pitching.
I walked.
With two out, Ryan Klesko walked, loading the bases.
Joel Chimelis reached on an infield hit, allowing Alan to score.
We are left that way and lost, 7-4.

Our winning streak lasted one game.

And now it seems that Tim is hurt.

I went 0f or 2 with a walk, and didn't get the rest I needed.

What now?

We are headed home to face the Braves.

This road trip has been awful.

[rpriske]

June 15th, 1990

Okay, it seems that Tim Naehring injury is more of the nagging variety than the DL kind.

The Braves are in town but I am back to getting that day off I was promised.

We were trailing 3-2 and Jim brought me in as a pinch hitter (for Tim) to lead off the 7th. Barry Jones was pitching.
I lined one into centre for a single.
Stolen base #50. Finally.
Felling good, with one out I grabbed stolen base #51!
I scored on a Rob Deer sac fly to tie the game!

Game tied 3-3

Mark Williamson took the mound for us, trying to hold that tie in the 8th.

I took care of an Andres Gallarraga grounder for the 3rd out behind him.

In the 9th Jim went to Bobby Thigpen.

I led off the bottom of the 9th against John Dodd.
I managed a walk.
Stolen base #52.
STOLEN BASE #53!
Craig Grebeck hit one out to Ken Griffey Jr. in centre... I took off for home... the throw reached Ed Sprague but I crashed into him.. the ball was looses! SAFE!

WE WIN!

I wnet 1 for 1 with a single, a walk, two runs scored, and FOUR stolen bases!

[rpriske]

June 16th, 1990

Despite not starting yesterday, I ended with a great day.

We have the Braves again, of course.

They are pitching Tom Glavine (6-4, 3.76).

The Giants are going with John Burkett (1-5, 4.66).

I have done quite well against Glavine, going 17 for 52, or .327, with one of my rare home runs.

I led off the home half by lining one sharply into centre for a single.
Stolen base #54.
I got no further.

I came up next with two out in the 3rd and took a walk.
Stolen base #55.
I was left again.

I then came up with two out in the 5th. I walked again, for the 50th time this season.
Stolen base #56.
For the 3rd time, I was left at 2nd.

The Braves were the first on the board as Jeff Blauser hit a two run homer in the 6th.

Braves lead 2-0

Then, in the 7th, Jim Thome also hit a two run home run.
Ron Gant made it back-to-back.

Jim went to Rod Nichols after that.
He got the 3rd out.

Braves lead 5-0

In the 8th, with none out, Blauser scored on a Tony Pena single.
I took care of a Gary Sheffield grounder for the 2nd out.

Braves lead 6-0

I came up in the bottom of the 8th with none out and pinch hitter Rob Deer on 1st.
I hit into a fielder's choice, replacing Rob on 1st.
I was then replaced when Alvin Davis did the same thing.
We did not score.

Rick Sutcliffe came in to pitch the 9th.

We never scored and were shut out.

I went 1 for 2 with a single, two walks, and three stolen bases.

Robby Thompson banged his knee up in the game too.

A good win followed by a shut out.

[rpriske]

June 17th, 1990

We finish up with the Braves today.

They are pitching Phil Leftwich (3-3, 5.59).

The Giants have Scott Garrelts (8-4, 4.35).

Leftwich is a rookie and none of us have seen him before.

Both Robby and Tim are aching but still in there.

The Braves struck in the 1st when Jerome Walton scored on a Ken Griffey Jr. single.
I handled a Jeff Blauser grounder to leave Griffey at 1st.

Braves lead 1-0

I led off for our side by grounding out to Jim Thome at short.
The rookie walked the next two guys before Harold Baines clocked a three-run homer.

Giants lead 3-1

I came up with two out in the 2nd and walked on four pitches.
Stolen base #57.
I scored on a Ryan Klesko double.

Giants lead 4-1

I led off in the 4th by grounding out to Thome again.

I came up next in the 6th with one out, Alan Cockrell on 3rd, and Todd Revenig on the mound. For the third time, I grounded out to Thome. I wasn't able to get Alan across.
After me, though, Ryan walked and Ruben Sierra tripled.

Giants lead 6-1

In the 9th, Walton scored on a Thome double.
Jim went to Mark Williamson after that.
Thome scored on a Griffey Jr. double.
He scored on a Gary Sheffield single.

Giants lead 6-4

I came up in the 8th with one out, pinch hitter Dale Murphy on 1st, and John Dodd pitching. I grounded into a fielder's choice.
Stolen base #58.
I was left there.

Bobby Thigpen took the ball for us in the 9th.
He gave up a two out single, but that was all, and we had the win.

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

We got an All-Star Voting Update after the game. I am still leading at 3rd. Tim, Frank Viola, and Mark Davis are all on 3rd at their positions.

Now we await the Padres.

[rpriske]

June 18th, 1990

The Padres are in town.

They are pitching Tim Belcher (7-7, 2.77).

The Giants have Frank Viola (5-5, 4.22).

I have done well against Blecher, going 7 for 23, or .304.

I led off the home side by striking out.

I took care of a Randy Ready grounder for the 1st out in the 3rd.

I came up in the bottom of the 3rd with Frank on 1st. I grounded into a fielder's choice.
Stolen base #59.
I was left there.

I handled an Ozzie Guillen grounder for the 1st out in the 5th.

I came up with two out in the 5th and Joel Chimelis on 2nd. I grounded out to Ready at 1st.

I led off the bottom of the 8th. I grounded out to Tom Quinlan at short.

I took care of an Armando Verdugo grounder for the 1st out in the 9th.

John Kruk got on base due to a Robby Thompson error and ended up scoring on a Charlie Hayes single.

With two out and two on, Jim went to Mark Williamson.
He got out of it. But...

Padres lead 1-0

And we were unable to score.

Frank pitched like the Frank of last year but we still go nothing to show for it.

I went o for 4 with a stolen base.

[rpriske]

June 19th, 1990

After heartbreaker yesterday, we take own eh Padres again.

They are pitching Bryn Smith (11-3, 2.44).

The Giants have Roy Smith (2-0, 3.38).

I have not done great against Smith, going 9 for 46, or .196.

I led off the home half by flying out to Junior Felix in centre.

I took care of an Eric Young grounder for the 3rd out in the 2nd.

I fielded a Smith sac bunt for the 1st out in the 3rd.

I led off the b bottom of the 4th. We still didn't have a hit.
I didn't change, that, grounding out to Ready at 1st.
Ryan Klesko DID change it, though, as he blasted a solo homer.

Giants lead 1-0

I came up in the 6th, with one out and Greg Myers on 2nd.
They gave me an intentional walk.
In front of the guy who hit a home run last time up.
It worked, however. We were left.

The Padres tied it up in the 8th when pinch hitter Harold Reynolds scored on a Junior Felix single.

Jim went to Mark Davis with two out and two on. He got the out.

Game tied 1-1

I came up in the 8th with two out, Greg on 1st, and Gregory Sillivent pitching.
I grounded out to Ozzie Guillen at short.

Bobby Thigpen took the ball for us in the 9th.
I handled an Eric Young grounder for the 2nd out.
I did the same to pinch hitter Greg Bailey of the 3rd out.

We went to extras but Craig Grebeck gave us the pinch hit single, scoring Dale Murphy for the walk-off, 2-1 win.

I went 0 for 3 with a walk.

`````````````

We heard after the game that one o four prospects, Mark Berry, was named MVP of the AA All-Star Game.

[rpriske]

June 20th, 1990

We are trying to take the series against the Padres today.

They are pitching Shane Rawley (4-4, 3.91).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (3-5, 3.97).

But I have the day off.

I came in as a pinch runner in the 8th but was caught stealing.

I took over in LF. That is a change.

We were leading 2-1.

Bobby Thigpen came in to grab the save. Three batters later, he had done just that.

Tomorrow is a travel day as we head to Houston, but one of our teammates isn't coming. Craig Grebeck has been placed on waivers. Instead, Terry Taylor is joining us in Texas.