Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

August 3rd, 1990

Today the Dodgers are pitching Jim Deshaies (7-5, 3.42).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (8-6, 3.21).

I am back to the 3rd spot. I have gone 3 for 9 against Deshaies.

Bruce struck out the side in the 1st. Good start.

I came up with two out in the bottom half and grounded out to Kent Hrbek at 1st.

The 2nd inning went K, K, BB, K for Bruce. He is on fire!

I came up with one out in the 4th. I reached 1st on an error by Monty Fariss at 2nd.
I went to 2nd on an Alvin Davis single.
I was left on.

After such a great starter in kind of hurt to see Bruce walk Candy Maldonado with the bases loaded in the 6th.
That was all he gave up, but...

Dodgers lead 1-0

In the bottom half I came up with one out, pinch hitter Harold Baines on 2nd, and Dale Murphy on 1st.
I did the worst thing possible. Double play.

Mark Davis came in for us in the 7th.

I came up in the 8th with two out, pinch hitter Tom O'Malley on 3rd, Dale on 1st, and Steve Farr pitching. I reached on an RBI infield hit to tie the game!
Dale scored and I went to 2nd on a single by Alvin!
We were left ton, but...

Giants lead 2-1

Bobby Thigpen came in to shut it down in the 9th.
I took care of a Phil Plantier grounder for the final out to give us the game!

I went 1 for 4 with a single and an RBI.

[rpriske]

August 4th, 1990

We have split the first two games on this four game set.

Now the Dodgers are pitching Mike Witt (6-7, 3.43).

The Giants have Roy Smith (3-3, 4.58).

I have gone 14 for 38, or .368, against Witt.

I am also back in the leadoff spot.

I kicked off the bottom of the 1st by flying out to Chili Davis in left.

The Dodgers scored in the 2nd when Benito Santiago crossed on a Witt triple. Ugh.

Dodgers lead 1-0

We got it right back when Ryan Klesko scored on a Joel Chimelis groundout.

Game tied 1-1

But in the 3rd both Davis and Kent Hrbek scored on a Phil Plantier triple.
Then Plantier crossed on a Tim Wallach single.

Dodgers lead 4-1

I came up in the bottom of the 3rd with pinch hitter Rob Deer on 1st. I moved him to 2nd with a line drive single to centre.
Me moved up on a wild pitch.
With one out, Harold Baines walked, loading the bags.
Rob scored on a Ruben Sierra sac fly.
Two of us were left on.

Dodgers lead 4-2

Rick Sutcliffe took the ball for us in the 4th.
I got the 1st out for him off a Davis grounder.

I came up with one out in the 5th and grounded out to Bill Spiers at short.

In the 6th Wallach doubled him both Hrbek and Plantier.

Dodgers lead 6-2

Tim Naehring led off the bottom of the 7th with a homer.

Dodgers lead 6-3

John Burkett took over for us in the 8th.
Things didn't go great for him. Hrbek and Plantier scored on a Candy Maldonado single.

Dodgers lead 8-3

I led off the bottom of the 8th. They brought in Jesse Orosco. I singled up the middle off him.
But then he picked me off 1st. Sigh.

Alvin Davis scored on a Ruben single.

Dodgers lead 8-4

I caught a Wallach liner for the 3rd out in the top of the 9th. It stung my hand, but not enough to be an issue.

We managed nothing in the 9th and took the loss.

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles.

[rpriske]

August 5th, 1990

We finish a four game series with the Dodgers today, needing a win to salvage a split.

They are going with Ken Howell (12-7, 2.34).

The Giants have Scott Garrelts (12-4, 4.40).

The lineup shuffle continues and this one I don't like at all.

I am hitting sixth. SIXTH!

I have even done well against Howell, going 8 for 24.

I took are of a Chili Davis grounder for the 2nd out of the game.

I led off in the 2nd by lining one into right for a single.
Stolen base #95.
I went to 3rd on a Tim Naehring groundout and scored on a wild pitch.

Giants lead 1-0

In the 3rd Benito Santiago did the same thing - scoring on a wild pitch.
Then Monty Fariss scored on a Bill Spiers groundout.

Dodgers lead 2-1

In the 4th Candy Maldonado and Fariss scored on a double by Howell.
Howell scored on a Spiers single.

Matt brought in Gene Nelson.
I took care of a Davis grounder for the 3rd out.

Dodgers lead 5-1

I came up with one out in the 4th and grounded out to Spiers at short.

I then came up in the 6th with two out and Harold Baines on 3rd. They brought in Jim Acker to face me. I hit an RBI single to right.
I was stranded.

Dodgers lead 5-2

With one out and a man on in the 7th, Matt brought in Mark Davis. He immediately induced a double play.

John Burkett took over in the 8th.
Tim Wallach scored on a Santiago double play.
I took care of a grounder by pinch hitter Dave Hollins for the 3rd out.

Dodgers lead 6-2

In the 9th Spiers scored on a Kent Hrbek single.

Dodgers lead 7-2

I came up in the bottom of the 9th with one out and Tom Henke pitching. I lined one to left for my 100th hit of the season.
I went to 2nd on a wild pitch and 3rd on a single by Tim.
Alan Cockrell walked to load the bags.
With two out I scored on a Robby Thompson single.

But that was all and we lost, 7-3. We are back to .500.

Despite losing I was named Player of the Game. Meh.

I went 3 for 4 with three singles, an RBI, and a stolen base.

Harold Baines was named the NL Player of the Week. Good of rhim.

Meanwhile we have heard a rumour going around that Dale Murphy asked for a trade. That seems odd to wait until after the trading deadline when you are a free agent at the end of the year.

I don't know if I buy it or not.

Anyway, we are off to Houston.

[rpriske]

August 6th, 1990

We are in the Astrodome, trying to stop a mini losing streak.

The Astros are pitching Pete Schourek in his major league debut.

The Giants have Bob Walk (5-7, 4.47).

I am hitting sixth again.

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

The Astros were first on the board as Terry Taylor scored on a Rusty Greer sac fly.

Astros lead 1-0

Tim Naehring tied it up with a home run in the 4th.
Then I came up with two out and lined out to Greer in left.

Game tied 1-1

We got the lead in the 5th when Ryan Klesko scored on a Robby Thompson groundout.

Giants lead 2-1

I led off the 7th and they brought in Napoleon Robinson to pitch.
I flew out to Greer again.

The Astros tied it back up in the 7th when Jim Edmond scored on a Taylor double.
With two out and two on Matt brought in Gene Nelson.
Taylor scored on a single by pinch hitter Mike Aldrete.
Then Felix Jose hit a three run homer.
Bad inning.

Astros lead 6-2

Mark Davis came in to pitch the 8th.

I came up in the 9th with one out, Alvin Davis on 1st, and Mike Madden pitching. I walked on four pitches.
We were left on and have now dropped below .500 again.

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

[rpriske]

August 7th, 1990

We are in Houston having lost three in a row.

The Astros are pitching Randy Tomlin (4-13, 4.54).

The Giants have Frank Viola (9-8, 3.54).

I have gone 3 for 12 again Tomlin.

I am hitting 5th, which is my 5th different lineup spot in the past couple of weeks.

Mark Lewis is making his Major League debut at short for us.

We struck early as Robby Thompson scored on a Ruben Sierra groundout in the 1st.
I came up with two out and Dale Murphy on 3rd. I grounded out to Terry Taylor at 2nd.

Giants lead 1-0

I took care of a sac bunt by Tomlin for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 3rd.
Taylor scored on a Rusty Greer double.

Game tied 1-1

I led off the 4th by grounding out back to Tomlin.

Then, in the bottom half, Craig Biggio scored on a Clay Bellinger double.

Astros lead 2-1

I came up in the 6th with two out and Dale on 1st. I doubled into the right field corner, sending Dale to 3rd.
Alan Cockrell walked, loading them up.
Rob Deer pinch hit for Ryan Klesko but struck out.

We tied it up in the 7th when Robby scored on a single by Dale.

Game tied 2-2

I came up with one out in the 8th and reached 1st on an error by Glenn Davis at 1st.
Stolen base #96.
I went to 3rd and Alan was safe at 1st on an error by Craig Worthington at 3rd.
Rob hit into a double play to leave me at 3rd.

With one out and the bases loaded (thanks to two errors by Robby), Matt brought in Mark Williamson.
Mark got out of it!

Bobby Thigpen took the mound in the 9th.

We went to extras but in the top of the 10th Alvin Davis blasted a two run homer!
I came up, still with none out, to face Lee Guetterman, reeling after that knock.
I walked.
I went to 3rd on a single by Alan.
With two out I scored on a single by... Bobby!

Giants lead 5-2

Bobby struggled in the 10th, giving up two singles and two walks with one out, scoring Craig Biggio. But then Rance Mulliniks hit into a double play and we had the win, 5-3.

Back to .500

I went 1 for 4 with a double, a walk, a run scored, and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

August 8th, 1990

We are trying to take the series in Houston.

The Astros are pitching Rheal Cormier (9-5, 3.11).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (8-6, 3.14).

I haven't seen much of Cormier, going 2 for 8, but with a home run.

I am hitting 5th again today.

Felix Jose hit a solo bomb in the bottom of the 1st.
I took care of a Glenn Davis grounder for the 2nd out in the frame.

I led off the 2nd by grounding out to Clay Bellinger at short.
A few batters later, though, Ryan Klesko and Joel Chimelis scored on a Robby Thompson single.

Giants lead 2-1

The lead was short lived as in the bottom of the 2nd, Mark Bailey scored on a Bellinger single. Then Jim Edmonds and Bellinger scored on a Cormier single.

Astros lead 4-2

I came up with two out in the 3rd and reached on an error by Glenn Davis at 1st.
Stolen base #97.
Ryan Klesko walked.
We were stranded.

Rick Sutcliffe took over for us in the 4th.

But then Jose hit another solo shot.
Davis made it back-to-back.

Astros lead 6-2

I came up in the 5th with two out and Alvin on 1st.
I reached on an infield hit, moving Alvin up a base.
We were left on.

I next came up in the 8th with Alvin on 2nd. I grounded out to Craig Worthington at 3rd.

John Burkett came in for us in the 8th.
Terry Taylor scored on a Rusty Greer sac fly.

Astros lead 7-2

We got one more in the 9th but lost, 7-3.

Back below .500.

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

Now we have a travel day before a double header in Cincinnati.

[rpriske]

August 10th, 1990

We are in Cincinnati and have a double header today.

In the first game the Reds are pitching John Farrell (4-8, 4.35).

The Giants are going with Roy Smith (3-4, 4.88).

I have gone only 1 for 8 against Farrell.

Where will I hate to day? How about clean up! That's a first! I have hit everywhere from #1 to #6 in the last couple of weeks.

Harold Baines hit a two run home run in the 1st.
I came up after him with one out. I hit one up the middle for a single.
Stolen base #98 and 3rd on a throwing error by Matt Nokes.
Ryan Klesko walked.
We were left on.

Giants lead 2-0

In the bottom half, Carlos Baerga scored on a Will Clark single.

Giants lead 2-1

I led off the 3rd by grounding out to John Patterson at short.

In the 3rd Nokes hit a two run homer.

Reds lead 3-2

In the 5th Nokes did it again. This time a three-run dinger.

Matt brought in Rick Sutcliffe.
He got out of the inning.

Reds lead 6-2

I led off the 6th by flying out to Mike Greenwell in right.

It got worse. In the 6th Kal Daniels hit a grand slam with none out.

Matt went to John Burkett after that.

Reds lead 10-2

In the top of the 7th Tom O'Malley pinch hit for Tim Naehring. So after that Tom played 3rd and I shifted to short.

In the 7th I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get Scott Terry and Glenn Davis.

I came up with two out int he 8th, facing Terry. I flew out to Daniels in left.

Ruben Sierra hit a two run home run the 9th but we still lost, 10-4.

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

Tough game and we still have to play again today.

[rpriske]

August 10th, 1990

The fist game of the double header went badly. Hopefully we can salvage a split.

The Reds are pitching Frank Castillo (5-6, 4.25).

The Giants have Scott Garrelts (12-5, 4.61).

I have gone 6 for 26, or .231, including a home run, against Castillo.

I am back to hitting sixth.

I came up with one out in the 2nd and worked a walk.
Stolen base #99. Then the big stolen base #100!
I scored on a Tim Naehring single.

Giants lead 1-0

In the 3rd Robby Thompson scored on a Harold Baines groundout.
I came up with two out, Alvin Davis on 3rd, and Ryan Klesko on 1st.
I grounded out.

Giants lead 2-0

I came up next with two out in the 6th and struck out.

Tim led off the 7th with a home run.

Giants lead 3-0

I took care of a Carlos Baerga grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 7th.

I came up in the 8th with two out, Ruben Sierra on 1st, and John Candelaria pitching. I grounded out to Dave Staton at 3rd.

Mark Williamson took over on the mound in the 8th, while Rob Deer replaced Ruben in the OF on a double switch.

In the 9th we had another double sixth as Dale Murphy took over for Harold and Bobby Thigpen came in to get the save.
I got the first out for him off another Baerga grounder.
He need up giving up a walk but that was it and we had the shutout win.

I went 0 for 3 with a walk, a run scored, and two stolen bases, taking me to 100!

[rpriske]

August 11th, 1990

It is the middle game of five in Cincinnati.

The Reds are pitching Jack Armstrong (6-8, 3.51).

The Giants have Bob Walk (5-8, 4.52).

I have gone 3 for 18 against Armstrong. I am hitting 6th.

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

I returned the favour for the final out in the inning.

We opened things up in the 3rd as Alvin Davis and Harold Baines hit back-to-back dingers. Alvin's was a three-run shot.

Giants lead 4-0

In the bottom of the 3rd, Eric Davis scored on a Carlos Baerga single.

Giants lead 4-1

I led off the 4th by flying out to Davis in centre.

I caught a Matt Nokes pop for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 4th.

In the 5th Robby Thompson scored on a double by Alvin. Then Alvin scored on a Ruben Sierra single.
I came up with one out, Ruben on 2nd, Ryan Klesko on 1st, and Chuck Cary pitching. I hit into a fielder's choice.
Stolen base #101.
We were left.

Giants lead 6-1

I came up in the 8th with Ryan on 1st and John Franco pitching. Another fielder's choice.
This time I was also thrown out trying to steal.

Rick Sutcliffe took over in the 8th for us.
He did his inning and then Gene Nelson took the 9th.
He got his three and we had the win.

Back to .500

I went 0 for 4 with a stolen base and a caught stealing.

After the game Greg Myers was sent to Phoenix with Deron McCue called up.

[rpriske]

August 12th, 1990

Game four of five in Cincinnati. We have gone 2-1 so far.

Today the Reds are pitching Tom Browning (14-6, 3.20).

The Giants have Frank Viola (9-8, 3.50).

Browning is very good but I have gone 17 for 54, or .315, against him.

I am hitting sixth again.

I came up with two out in the 2nd and lined out to Mike Greenwell in right.

We were the first on the board in the 3rd when Alan Cockrell hit a solo shot.

Giants lead 1-0

I came up in the 4th with two out, Ruben Sierra on 3rd, and Alvin Davis on 2nd. I grounded out to Shawon Dunston at short.

I next came up in the 6th with two out and Tim Naehring on 2nd. RBI single!
Stolen base #102.
I was stranded.

Giants lead 2-0

I took care of a Dunston grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 6th.

The Reds got on the board in the 7th when Will Clark scored on a Tim McIntosh single.

Giants lead 2-1

I came up in the 9th with Tim on 1st and Greg Cadaret pitching. I flew out to Eric Davis in centre.

Bobby Thigpen came in for the save. He gave up a leadoff single but got the next three to nail down the win.

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

[rpriske]

August 13th, 1990

We finish in Cincinnati today.

The Reds are pitching Mike Scott (7-8, 2.25).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (8-7, 3.31).

I have gone 11 for 54, or .204, with a home run against Scott. I am hitting 6th.

The Reds struck in the 1st, when Shawon Dunston scored on a Will Clark single, with still none out.
Then Kal Daniels scored on a Mike Greenwell groundout.

Reds lead 2-0

I came up in the 2nd with Ruben Sierra on 3rd and Ryan Klesko on 2nd. I struck out.

In the top of the 3rd, Alvin Davis hit a solo homer.

Reds lead 2-1

I caught a Daniels pop for the 1st out in the bottom of the 3rd.
I did the same to Carlos Baerga for the 3rd out.

I came up in the 4th with one out and Ryan on 2nd. I reached on an error by Dunston. Ryan went to 3rd.
Stolen base #103
With two out they gave Alan Cockrell the intentional walk to face Bruce.
The stratagem worked as Bruce struck out and left the bases loaded.

I handled a Scott grounder for the final out in the 4th.

I came up with one out in the 6th and flew out to Greenwell in right.

Mark Davis took over for us in the bottom of the 6th.
I got the 3rd out for him off a Nick Capra grounder.

I led off the 8th, now facing Jay Howell. I grounded out to John Patterson at 2nd.

In the bottom of the 8th I shifted over to short. Tom O'Malley took over at 3rd.
I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get Beau Allred and Patterson to end the inning.

I miss playing short.

We came from behind in the 9th as pinch runner Mark Lewis and Robby Thompson scored on an error.
I came up with one out, pinch runner Deron McCue on 3rd, Ruben on 2nd, and Ryan on 1st. John Franco was pitching.
I hit into a fielder's choice as Deron was gunned down at home.
We left them loaded.

Giants lead 3-2

Bobby Thigpen came in to close it out.
He couldn't get the save as Dunston scored on a Baerga single with two out.

Game tied 3-3, extra innings

We couldn't score in the top of the 10th. Then Matt brought in Mark Williamson.

I came up in the 11th with two out, Alvin on 3rd, and Ryan on 2nd. Greg Cadaret was the pitcher.
While I was at the plate, Ryan stole 2nd.
After that, they gave me the intentional walk.
Tom grounded out, leaving us loaded.

Then, in the bottom of the 11th, Clark scored on a Baerga single with two out, giving the Reds the walk off, 4-3 win.

I was a miserable 0 for 5 with a walk and a stolen base.

After the game we found out they signed Bob Forsch to a minor league contract.

Minors? Forsch? The dude is 40.

Also, Mark Lewis is going to miss a few days with some heart issue. Better safe than sorry.

We are heading to Philadelphia.

[rpriske]

August 14th, 1990

We are in Philly.

The Phillies are pitching Mike Moore (8-11, 3.75).

The Giants have Roy Smith (3-5, 5.06). He is pitching on short rest.


I only have two at bats against Moore, but I have a hit.

I am hitting 6th.

I came up with two out in the 2nd and grounded out to Garry Templeton at short.

I took care of a Von Hayes grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 4th.

I led off the 5th by taking a walk.
Stolen base #104.
I scored on a Tim Naehring double.
Tim scored on a Robby Thompson groundout.

Giants lead 2-0

In the 6th, Ryan Klesko hit a solo home run!
I came up with two out and struck out.

Giants lead 3-0

John Burkett took over for Roy in the 7th. Roy was doing great, but he is on short rest.

In the 8th Rob Deer and Joel Chimelis replaced Harold Baines and Alvin Davis for defense.

Ruben Sierra led off the 9th with a home run.
I came up with one out and Michael Jackson on the mound. I grounded out to Templeton again.

Giants lead 4-0

John ended up finishing the game for the save as we got the shutout win.

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

[rpriske]

August 15th, 1990

We are in Philadelphia, trying to keep our momentum going.

The Phillies are pitching Erik Hanson (9-11, 2.60).

The Giants have Scott Garrelts (13-5, 4.38).

I have done well against Hanson, going 7 for 22, or .318, with a home run.

In addition, I am am hitting leadoff again!

As such, I led off the game by... striking out.

In the bottom of the 1st, Von Hayes hit a solo homer.

Phillies lead 1-0

I came up in the 3rd with one out and Scott on 2nd. I walked.
Alvin Davis singled to load the bases.
With two out, we all moved up, including Scott scoring, on a passed ball.
Then Ruben Sierra walked to reload the bags.
I scored on an infield single by Ryan Klesko.

Giants lead 2-1

I came up next with two out in the 4th and Joel Chimelis on 3rd. I grounded out to Craig Paquette at 3rd.

In the 5th both Alvin and Harold Baines scored on an error by Paquette.

Giants lead 4-1

In the bottom half, Hanson scored on a Hayes sac fly.

Giants lead 4-2

I came up with two out in the 6th and dropped one into left for a single.
Stolen base #105
I went to 3rd and Alvin was safe at 1st on an error by Jose Vizacaino at 2nd.
We were left on.

I caught a Garry Templeton foul ball for the 1st out in the bottom of the 7th.
Gene Nelson took over for us after that.
I got the 3rd out, on a Hayes grounder.

I came up with two out in the 8th. Jeff Russell was now the pitcher.
I lined one into left for another single.
Stolen base #106
I was left on.

Mark Williamson took the bump for us in the 8th.
Bo Jackson led off with a home run.


Giants lead 4-3

Bobby Thigpen got 9th inning duties.

He couldn't hold it as pinch hitter Jerry Willard scored on a Hayes single with two out.
Then Bo homered again and we lost, 7-4.

Back to .500

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles, a walk, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

[rpriske]

August 16th, 1990

We are finishing the series in Philadelphia, even so far.

I am not starting today. Matt is giving me a rest.

I pinch hit in the 7th and got a single, but we lost, 2-0, shut out by Orel Hershiser.

We are heading home, a game under .500

[rpriske]

August 17th, 1990

We are home, taking on the Mets.

They are pitching Andy Benes (12-6, 2.90).

The Giants are going with Frank Viola (10-8, 3.39).

I have done well in limited exposure to Benes, going 3 for 7.

I am hitting clean-up.

I handled a Greg Vaughn grounder for the 1st out in the 2nd.

I led off the bottom half by fouling out to Kevin Mitchell at 3rd.

I got the 1st out in the 3rd off a Scott Fletcher grounder.
Mike Fitzgerald followed that with a home run.

Mets lead 1-0

I led off again in the 4th. This time I walked on four straight pitches.
I tried to steal but ran into a pitchout and was gunned down.

The 5th went well for us.
Tin Naehring - single.
Rob Deer - single.
Frank - sac bunt, moving up both runners.
Robby Thompson - walk
Wild pitch - Tim scored
Alvin Davis - walk
Harold Baines - single. Rob scored.
Me - sac fly. Robby scored.
Balk - Alvin scored.

Giants lead 4-1

I took care of another Vaughn grounder for the 3rd out in the 7th.

With none out and a man on in the 8th, Matt brought in Mark Williamson.
Mitchell scored on a Fitzgerald double.

Giants lead 4-2

I led off the bottom of the 8th, facing Randy Myers. I grounded out to Mitchell.

Bobby Thigpen took the 9th. Three ground balls later we had the win.

I went 0 for 2 with a walk, an RBI, a sac fly, and a caught stealing.

Randy Johnson of the Cubs threw a no-hitter today.

[rpriske]

August 18th, 1990

We beat the Mets yesterday, which is always great. Let's get them again!

Today they are pitching Chris Bosio (8-13, 4.75).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (8-7, 3.31).

Most of us, including me, have never faced Bosio.

I am hitting 5th.

I handled a Scott Fletcher grounder for the 3rd out in the 2nd.

There was still no score when I came up with one out in the bottom of the 2nd. I struck out.

I caught a Tom Brunasky foul pop for the 2nd out in the 3rd.

I played a Greg Vaughn grounder for the 1st out in the 4th.

The Mets were the first to score when Dave Magadan crossed on a Mike Gallego double in the 5th.
Then Gallego scored on a Lenny Dykstra single.

Mets lead 2-0

I led off the bottom half of the 5th by flying out to Vaughn in left.

With a man on and none out in the 6th, Matt called in Mark Davis. Joel Chimelis replaced mark Lewis at short in a double switch.

We cut the lead in the 6th when Joel scored on an Alvin Davis single.

Mets lead 2-1

In the 7th I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get Gallego and Brunansky.

I came up with one out in the 7th and drove one into left for a single.
Stolen base #107.
I scored on a single by pinch hitter Ryan Klesko, tying the game!

Game tied 2-2

Mark Williamson took the mound for us in the 8th.

They got the lead right back as Dykstra scored on a Mike Fitzgerald double.
Wally Joyner scored on a Fletcher sac fly.

Mets lead 4-2

But in the 9th we tied it ups gain as Joel and Alan Cockrell scored on a Ruben Sierra double!
I came up with Ruben on 2nd and two out and drew a walk from Rick Aguilera, but we were both left.

Game tied 4-4

Bobby Thigpen took the mound and Tom O'Malley replaced Alvin at 1st in a double switch.
I took care of a grounder by William Max for the 3rd out in the top of the 9th.

We went to extra innings and John Burkett took the hill for us.

I came up with one out in the bottom of the 10th, facing Randy Myers.
I struck out.

I got Ross Jones out on the ground ball in the 11th, for the 2nd out

I next came up with one out in the bottom of the 13th, with Jim Clancy pitching. I struck out again.

Gene Nelson took over from an exhausted John in the 14th.
I got the 1st out for him off a Gallego grounder.

I came up with two out in the 15th, still against Clancy. I popped out to Jones at 3rd.

I returned the favour, handling a Jones grounder for the 1st out in the top of the 16th.
I then made a fantastic catch, spearing a Gallego liner for the 2nd out.

With one out and one on in the 17th, Matt brought in Rick Sutcliffe.

I came up again in the 18th, with one out, Harold Baines on 1st, and Kevin Brown pitching. I hit one to centre for a single, moving Harold to 2nd.
With both moved up on a wild pitch.
They intentionally walked Ryan.
Dykstra made an incredible diving catch in shallow centre on a bloop by Tom, but he got up so quickly that Harold could not advance!
Brown then walked Deron McCue in an incredibly anti-climactic end to an epic ball game!

But we won!

I went 2 for 7 with a pair of singles, a walk, a run scored, and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

August 19th, 1990

After an epic, 18 inning affair yesterday, we could use an easy, no doubt quick win today.

The Mets probably think the same.

They are pitching Dwight Gooden (8-12, 3.54).

The Giants have Roy Smith (4-5, 4.71).

I have gone 15 for 51, or .294, against Gooden. I am hitting 5th.

I led off the bottom of the 2nd by grounding gout to Mike Gallego at 2nd on the first pitch.

The Mets were first to score in the 3rd when Dave Cochrane crossed on a Lenny Dykstra double.

Mets lead 1-0

I took care of a Ross Jones grounder for the 3rd out in the 4th.

I came up with one out in the bottom of the 4th and managed a walk.
Stolen base #108... then #109!
I was stranded.

Things turned our favour in the 5th when Harold Baines launched a big, three-run dinger!

Giants lead 3-1

I led ff in the 6th and flew out to Dykstra in centre.

We cashed in a few batters later as both Alan Cockrell and Dale Murphy scored on a single by Roy,

Giants lead 5-1

I came up with two out int he 7th and flew out to Greg Vaughn in left.

In the 8th Tom O'Malley got a pinch hit, RBI single, scoring Tim Naehring.

Giants lead 6-1

Rick Sutcliffe took the pill for us in the 9th.
A couple of guys got on but nobody scored and we had another win.

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

We swept the Mets. Next up, Les Expos.

[rpriske]

August 20th, 1990

We are on the three game roll and ready for Montreal!

As usual, when the Expos come to town the extended Priske - Banner clan come down to take in the series.

They will get to see Chuck Finley (13-11, 3.47) of the Expos take on Scott Garrelts (13-5, 4.32) of the Giants.

I have gone 6 for 29, or .207, against Finley... but I am hitting clean-up!

I came up in the 1st with two out and Robby Thompson on 3rd. I walked on four straight.
We were left.

Ryan Klesko opened the scoring int he 2nd with a solo shot.

Giants lead 1-0

In the 4th I did the unthinkable - I airmailed the throw on an easy groundball, giving Steve Carter 2nd on my error.
He then scored on a Shane Mack single.
I handled an Alvaro Espinoza bunt for the 1st out.
Mack scored on a Jose Oquendo sac fly.
Billy Hatcher scored on a Finley single.
Michael Urzendowski and Finley crossed on a Chris Sabo double.
I took care of a Carter grounder to end the inning, but... five unearned runs due to MY error.

Expos lead 5-1

I led off the bottom of the 4th by grounding out to Espinoza at short.

With a man on and none out in the 5th, Matt brought in John Burkett.

I came up in the 6th with one out and Ruben Sierra on 1st. I walked.
With two out, Alan Cockrell also walked.
Rob Deer struck out, leaving us loaded.

In the 7th, Mack scored on an Espinoza single.
Hatcher scored on an Oquendo double.
Espinoza scored on an error by Tim Naehring.
No stones thrown here.

With two out and the bases loaded, Matt brought in Mark Davis to stop the bleeding. He struck out Chris Donnels to do just that.

Expos lead 8-1

I came up in the 8th with one out and Dale Murphy on 1st. They brought in Mark Tindall to face me. I flew out to Mack in right.

I took care of an Urzendowski grounder for the 2nd out in the 9th.

We never got back into this game after my error.

I went 0 for 2 with a pair of walks and that error.

[rpriske]

August 21st, 1990

The first game against the Expos did not go well.

I want a good game for the family.

Montreal is pitching Steve Avery (7-7, 4.17).

The Giants have Bob Walk (6-9, 4.29).

I have done well against Avery, going 5 for 16, or .312.

I am hitting 3rd today.

I came up with two out in the 1st and grounded ou two Chris Donnels at 3rd.

We jumped out to the lead in the 2nd when Alan Cockrell potted a two-run blast!

Giants lead 2-0

I came up in the 3rd with one out and Dale Murphy on 1st. I struck out.

In the 4th it was Rob Deer's turn to blast a two-run dinger!

Giants lead 4-0

In the 5th I made a great play on an Avery bunt, nailing Michael Urzendowski at 2nd!
That inning the Expos scored when Thomas Howard crossed on a Chris Sabo double.
Then Avery and Sabo scored on a Steve Carter double.

Giants lead 4-3

I came up in the 5th with Dale on 1st. I replaced him when I hit a fielder's choice to Alvaro Espinoza at 2nd.
With two out I nabbed stolen base #110.
I was left at 2nd.

Gene Nelson took the mound for us in the 7th, with Joel Chimelis replacing Alvin Davis at 1st in a double switch.

I came up in the 7th with one out, Joel on 2nd, and Dale on 1st. Chris Byrnes was pitching. While I was at the plate, both guy moved up on a wild pitch. I struck out.

In the 8th Mark Williamson came in for us, with Ruben Sierra also subbing in for Dale in another double switch.

With one out in the 9th, Matt brought in Bobby Thigpen. Deron McCue replaced Rob in the third double switch of the game.

Bobby shut the door to give us the tight win.

I went 0 for 4 with a stolen base.

After the game, Deron was sent to Phoenix and Greg Myers was recalled.

[rpriske]

August 22nd, 1990

It is the rubber match in the series against the Expos. I have not hit well in front of my family.

Montreal is pitching Alex Hernandez (3-7, 3.18).

The Giants have Frank Viola (11-8, 3.36).

I guess Matt has decided that playing in from of my family isn't working for me. I am sitting today.

It worked, though, as we won, 6-1.

I got in as a pinch hitter. I walked and scored.

Greg Myers' return to the bigs was short lived - 1 game, in fact. Deron McCue is back.