Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

August 6th, 1991

Another day in front of the worst fans in baseball.

Today the Braves are pitching Oscar Munoz (2-0, 2.37).

The Giants have Frank Viola (10-7, 3.47).

I have very little exposure to Munoz, going 0 for 3.

But I am back hitting leadoff!

I kicked things off by flying out to Ron Gant in left.

Jeff Bagwell led off the bottom half with a home run.

Braves lead 1-0

Thangs went better for us in the 2nd. First Alvin Davis scored on a wild pitch and then Rick Cerone scored on a Craig Grebeck single.
That was followed by a two run homer by Ryan Klesko.
I grounded out to end the inning.

Giants lead 4-1

But then came the bottom of the 2nd and a two run homer by Jeff Blauser.

I took care of a Jerome Walton grounder for the 2nd out.

Giants lead 4-3

Then, in the bottom of the 3rd, Gant hit a two run homer.

Braves lead 5-4

We tied it back up in the top of the 4th when Craig scored on a Tim Naehring single.

Game tied 5-5

I led off the 5th by flying out to Andre Dawson in right.

With a man on to lead off the bottom of the 5th, Matt brought in Mike Scott.

I caught a Dawson pop for the first out in the bottom of the 6th.

I came up with one out in the 7th, now facing Narciso Elvira. I grounded out back to the pitcher.

Mark Ross took the ball for us in the bottom of the 7th.

In the bottom of the 8th, Gant blasted a three-run homer.

Matt brought in Scott Service after that.
He got two out but also loaded the bases and Matt went to Bryan Hickerson.
He got out of it.

Braves lead 8-5

We couldn't close the gap and lost again.

I went 0 for 4.

[rpriske]

August 7th, 1991

We have lost two agains the Braves. We need to win the next two just to break even.

Today the Braves are pitching Ben McDonald (10-6, 3.68).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (11-6, 3.52).

I have gone 5 for 25, or .200, against McDonald.

I am hitting second.

I came up with one out in the 1st and grounded out to Jeff Bagwell at 1st.

The Braves opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st when Jim Thome crossed on an Andre Dawson single.

Then Bagwell hit a three-run homer.

We turned a Thompson - Priske - Davis double play to end the inning but the damage was done.

Braves lead 4-0

Rick Cerone homered to get one back in the top of the 2nd.

Braves lead 4-1

I caught a pop by Ken Griffey Jr. to end the 2nd.

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

In the bottom half, Jeff Blauser hit a two run homer.

Matt brought in Mike Scott after that.

Braves lead 6-1

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

Bryan Hickerson took the ball for us in the 6th.

In the 7th Alvin Davis scored on a throwing error by Dale Murphy. (Side note: I guess letting Dale go was the right thing to do. He is not playing well this year.)

Braves lead 6-2

Tom Kramer took over for us in the 8th.

I led off the 9th by dumping one into right for a single.
I went to 2nd on a wild pitch.
With one out I went to 3rd on a passed ball.
Then Alvin walked.
I scored and Alvin went to 2nd on another wild pitch.

That was all we could get and we lost, 6-3.

I went 1 for 4 with a single and a run scored.

[rpriske]

August 8th, 1991

Day 4 in Atlanta, just trying to avoid a sweep.

Today the Braves have Oil Can Boyd (14-4, 3.06).

The Giants have Don Robinson (4-5, 4.00).

I am sitting.

Apparently they didn't need me. We won, 6-0. Complete game shutout for Don.

Now we head home to face the Dodgers.

[rpriske]

August 9th, 1991

Home for a three-game set agains the Dodgers.

Today L.A. is pitching Greg Langbehn (0-1, 5.62).

The Giants have John Burkett (7-11, 4.74).

He is a rookie and I haven't faced him.

I am hitting sixth.

I came up with two out in the bottom of the 2nd and I lined one to right for a single.
Stolen base #56.
I was left there.

In the 4th Ruben Sierra smacked a two run homer.

I came up the inning with one out and Tim Naehring on 1st. I reached on an infield single.
A double play ended that.

Giants lead 2-0

I took care of a Benito Santiago grounder for the 2nd out in the 5th.

In the bottom of the inning, Harold Baines hit a two run dinger.

Giants lead 4-0

I handled a Tim Wallach grounder for the 1st out in the 6th.

I came up with two out in the bottom half and hit ahead shot down the left field line for a double.
I scored on a Timothy McKercher triple.

Timothy scored on a Luis Medina single.

Giants lead 6-0

We turned a Thompson - Priske - Davis double play to get pinch hitter Gene Larkin and Kent Hrbek.

Scott Service took the mound for us in the 8th.

Santiago and pinch hitter Phil Plantier scored on a Bill Spiers single.

Giants lead 6-2

I came up in the bottom of the 8th with one out, Alvin Davis on 1st, and Mark Eichhorn pitching. I hit one to the warning track in left, but Candy Maldonado tracked it down.

With one out in the 9th, Matt brought in Bobby Thigpen. He gave up a hit but that was all and we had the win.

I went 3 for 4 with two singles, a double, a run scored, and a stolen base.

The Dodgers have lost eight in a row.

[rpriske]

August 10th, 1991

The Dodgers are slumping and we want to take full advantage.

They are pitching Dave Bird (12-7, 3.27).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (5-8, 4.41).

I have not done well against Bird in limited exposure. 0 for 5.

I am hitting fifth today.

The Dodgers struck in the 1st, with Kent Hrbek scoring on a Phil Plantier single.
Then Benito Santiago scored on a Gene Larkin sac fly.
Plantier scored on a Candy Maldonado single.
Wallach and Maldonado scored on a Bird single.

Hitting around in the 9th was too much for Matt so he brought in Mike Scott to finish the inning.

Dodgers lead 5-0

The kept at it in the 2nd as Santiago scored on a Wallach single.
Wallach scored on a Larkin double.
I took care of a Maldonado grounder to end the frame.

Dodgers lead 7-0

I led off the bottom of the 2nd by reaching on an infield single.
Then Rick Cerone walked.
We were left that way.

I handled a Monty Fariss grounder for the 1st out in the 3rd.

I came up with one out in the 4th and struck out.

Scott Service to took over for us in the 5th.
I ended the frame using a John Wehner grounder.

In the 6th Kent Hrbek led off with a homer.

Dodgers lead 8-0

Bryan Hickerson took the ball in the 7th.

I led off the bottom half by grounding out to Hrbek at 1st.

Tom Kramer took the bump in the 9th.

Plantier and Wallach scored on a Larkin double.

Dodgers lead 10-0

I came up in the bottom of the 9th with one out, pinch hitter Bryce Bernadin on 2nd, and Tim Naehring on 1st.

I hit into a double play to end the game.

I went 1 for 4 with a single.

Ugly.

[rpriske]

August 11th, 1991

We are looking to bounce back from that brutal loss.

Today the Dodgers are pitching Bob Tewksbury (6-5, 5.36).

The Giants have Frank Viola (10-7, 3.66).

Tewksbury came over from the AL this year so I have never faced him.

I am hitting sixth.

I led off the bottom of the 2nd by grounding out back to Tewksbury.

We opened the scoring in the 3rd when Frank crossed on a Ruben Sierra sac fly.

Giants lead 1-0

I got the 2nd out in the 4th off a Chili Davis grounder.

I came up next with one out in the 4th. I flew out to Phil Plantier in centre.

I took care of a Bill Spiers grounder for the 1st out in the 5th.

I handled another Chili grounder for the 3rd out in the 6th.

I came up in the 6th with Rick Cerone on 1st. I walked.
Ryan Klesko singled to load the bases.
Rick scored on a Tim Naehring single but I was thrown out trying to score from 2nd.
Two batters later, Robby Thompson hit a three-run homer.

Giants lead 5-0

I took care of a Benito Santiago grounder for the 2nd out in the 7th.

I led off the bottom of the 8th, now facing Jeff Parrett. I hit one into left for a single.
Stolen base #57.
I was left at 2nd.

I handled another Santiago grounder for the 2nd out in the 9th.

Frankie got a shutout.

I went 1 for 3 with a single, a walk, and a stolen base.

Next the Braves come to town.

[rpriske]

August 12th, 1991

It is the dog days of August and the Braves are in town. We are at a miserable 54-56. We have dropped so much since the World Series in '89.

Today the Braves are pitching Ben McDonald (11-6, 3.59).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (11-7, 3.83).

I have not done well against McDonald, going 6 for 29, or.207.

I am hitting leadoff!

I led off the bottom of the 1st by having a hit to left robber by a diving catch by Ron Gant.

Atlanta opened the coring in the 3rd when Jim Thome crossed on a sac fly by McDonald.

Braves lead 1-0

We got it back and then some when Tim Naehring hit a two run homer in the bottom of the 3rd.
I came up with one out and drove one up the middle for a single.
I went to 2nd on a Harold Baines groundout but got no further.

Giants lead 2-1

We got another in the 4th when Craig Greenback scored on a Ryan Klesko single.

Giants lead 3-1

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

In the 6th, Jeff Bagwell scored on an Andre Dawson single.

Giants lead 3-2

With a man on and one out in the 7th, Matt brought in Bryan Hickerson.
I caught a Bagwell pop fly for the 3rd out.

Tom Kramer took the ball for us in the 8th.

The Brave stied it up when Ken Griffey Jr. crossed on an infield single by Gant.
Then Gary Sheffield scored on a Terry Kennedy sac fly.

Braves lead 4-3

I led off the bottom of the 8th by grounding it up the middle for a single.
Stolen base #58 on a Rance Mulliniks strikeout.
I went to 3rd on a Ruben Sierra groundout but was left there.

Carlton Fisk led off the 9th with a pinch hit home run.

Bobby Thigpen came in after that.

Braves lead 5-3

And then is how it ended.

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

August 13th, 1991

The media is making a big deal about this one. Rusty vs Oil Can.

The Braves are pitching Oil Can Boyd (14-5, 3.11).

The Giants have Don Robinson (5-5, 3.64).

This is Boyd's first year int he NL and I haven't faced him before.

I am hitting second.

My first kick at the Oil Can came with one out in the bottom of the 1st. I struck out.

The Braves opened the scoring int he 3rd when Jim Thome crossed on a Jeff Bagwell single.
Ken Griffey Jr. followed with a two run homer.
I ended the inning dealing with an Andrew Dawson grounder.

Braves lead 3-0

I came up in the 3rd with one out and Robby Thompson on 1st. I grounded out but moved him up.
We did not score.

I handled a Gary Sheffield grounder for the 1st out in the 4th.

Mark Ross relieved for us in the 6th.

I came up in the bottom of the 6th with Robby standing on 1st. I dumped one into centre for a single, moving Robby to 2nd.
We were left.

Mike Scott took over for us in the 8th.

In the bottom half I came up with Robby on 1st again. It was another single to centre but this time I moved Robby to 3rd.
He scored on a Harold Baines sac fly.
I went to 2nd on an Alvin Davis infield single.
I scored and Alvin went to 3rd on a two out double by Bryce Bernardin.
Alvin and Bryce scored on a Ryan Klesko double, giving us the lead.

Giants lead 4-3

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

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

[rpriske]

For the rubber match, I got the day off.

The boys shut out the Braves, 6-0!

Now the Reds are coming to town.

[rpriske]

August 15th, 1991

The Reds are in town and they are pitching Frank Castillo (17-5, 2.48).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (5-9, 4.73).

I have gone 8 for 34, or .235, with a home run against Castillo.

I am hitting sixth.

The Reds opened the scoring in the 2nd when Tom Brunansky crossed on a Beau Allred triple.
Allred then scored on a Mike Mordecai single.

Reds lead 2-0

I came up in the bottom of the 2nd with Rick Cerone on 1st. I flew out to Allred in centre.

I took care of a Brunansky grounder to end the top of the 3rd.

In the bottom half, Harold Baines hit a solo dinger.

Reds lead 2-1

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

I handled a Brian Harper grounder for the 2nd out in the 5th.

I came up in the 6th with one out and Rick on 2nd. I flew out to Allred again.

Bryan Hickerson relieved for us in the 7th. Then Tom Kramer did the same in the 8th.

We tied it up in the 8th when Ruben Sierra scored on a sac fly by Rick.
I came up with one out and Alvin Davis on 1st. I replaced him with a fielder's choice.
I was then thrown out trying to steal 2nd.

Game tied 2-2

Bobby Thigpen came in for the 9th.

Matt Nokes led off the 9th with a home run.

Reds lead 3-2

We couldn't get it back and lost.

I went 0 for 4 with a caught stealing.

[rpriske]

August 16th, 1991

We lost the first game of four agains the Reds and I did less than nothing.

Today Cincy is pitching Kirk McCaskill (6-8, 5.92).

The Giants have Frank Viola (11-7, 3.47).

I have had little exposure to McCaskill, going 1 for 2.

I am hitting fifth.

We opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st when Robby Thompson crossed on an Alvin Davis single.

I came up right after that with one out, Ruben Sierra on 3rd, and Alvin on 1st. I got Ruben home with a sac fly.

Giants lead 2-0

They got one back in the 3rd when Matt Nokes scored on a Carlos Baerga single.
I handled a Kal Daniels grounder unassisted to end the frame.

Giants lead 2-1

I came up in the bottom of the 3rd with one out and Alvin on 1st. I flew out to Eric Davis in centre (again).

In the 6th I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get pinch runner Shawn Twillie and Davis.

I came up in the bottom half with one out and I outran an infield single.
Stolen base #59.
Timothy McKercher walked.
We were both stranded.

I took care of a Mike Mordecai fielder's choice ball for the 2nd out in the 7th.

Mordecai scored on a pinch hit double by Beau Allred to tie the game.

Game tied 2-2

In the 8th we turned a Thompson - Priske - Davis double play to get pinch hitter Brian Harper and Mariano Duncan.

I led off the bottom of the 8th against Larry Andersen. I took a walk.
I was erased on a double play.

Bobby Thigpen came in for the 9th.
He gave up a solo homer to Nokes.

Reds lead 3-2

And that is how it ended.

I went 1 for 2 with a single, a walk, an RBI, and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

August 17th, 1991

The first two games of this four game series did not go our way.

Today the Reds are pitching Roberto Hernandez (0-0, 0.00).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (11-7, 3.79).

Hernandez has two appearances in the Majors but this is his first start.

I am hitting sixth.

I took care of a Tom Brunansky grounder to end the top of the 2nd.

I then came up with one out in the bottom of the 2nd and hit one up the middle for a single.
Stolen base #60 AND #61.
I scored on a Tim Naehring groundout.

Giants lead 1-0

We lost the lead in the 5th when Eric Davis and Brian Harper scored on a Brunansky double.
Then Eddie Zosky doubled him home.
Zosky scored on a Dave Staton single.

Reds lead 4-1

I led off the bottom the 5th by doubling down the left field line.
Stolen base #62.
Tim walked and then Luis Medina was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with none out.
I was thrown out at the plate on a groundball by pinch hitter Bryce Bernadin.

We ended up not scoring at all. That was huge. Hugely awful.

Bryan Hickerson relieved for us in the 6th.

I took care of a Brunansky grounder to end the top of the inning.

I was having a pretty good game, personally, even though we were losing, but in the 7th I fumbled an easy grounder for an error.
That was immediately followed by a three-run homer by Staton and three unearned runs that were on my head.

Reds lead 7-1

I led off the bottom of the 7th by flying out to Eric Davis in centre.

Mike Scott took the ball for us in the 8th.
For the 3rd time, I handled a Brunansky grounder - this time for the 1st out.

Mark Ross got the nod for the 9th.
I take care of a Carlos Baerga grounder for the 1st out.

I was standing on-deck as the game ended.

I went 2 for 3 with a double, a single, a run scored, three stolen bases, and an error (my 4th of the year).

[rpriske]

August 18th, 1991

We are trying to avoid a four game sweep.

The Reds are pitching Dave Stieb (6-8, 2.94).

The Giants have Don Robinson (5-5, 3.72).

I am 1 for 3 against Stieb.

I am leading off!

I led off the bottom of the 1st by flying out to Beau Allred in centre.

I next came up with one out in the 3rd and I grounded out to Mark McGwire at 1st.

The Reds scored in the 4th when McGwire knocked Carlos Baerga home with a double.
Then Big Mac was doubled home by Dave Staton.

I ended the inning with an Allred grounder.

Reds lead 2-0

I took care of a Baerga grounder for the 2nd out in the 5th.

I came up with two out in the bottom half and grounded out to Mike Mordecai at short.

Mark Ross took over for us in the 7th.

Pinch hitter Shawn Twillie scored on a Kal Daniels single.

Reds lead 3-0

I came up next with one out in the 8th. I lined out to McGwire at 1st.

Mike Scott took the ball for us in the 9th.

Leading off the 9th, Stieb reached on my error. Errors two games in a row.

Things weren't looking for us.

Ruben Sierra led off the bottom of the 9th, and was hit by a pitch.
John Franco relieved for Stieb and got Rick Cerone to fly out before walking pinch hitter Timothy McKercher.
Tim Naehring singled, loading the bases.
Luis Medina doubled, scoring Ruben and Timothy, bringing us within one!
But then Robby Thompson grounded out and we were down to out last out.
I was standing on deck as pinch hitter Rance Mulliniks singled and both Tim and Luis scored, giving us the walk-off, 4-3 win!

I didn't help. 0 for 4 with an error.

We have a travel day as we head to Houston.

We found out after the game that they were sending Bryan Hickerson back to Phoenix and calling up Rod Nichols.

[rpriske]

August 20th, 1991

We are in the Astrodome for a three gamer.

Today the Astros are pitching Rheal Cormier (10-10, 3.86).

The Giants have John Burkett (9-11, 4.27).

I have gone 5 for 16, or .312, with a home run against Cormier.

I am hitting seventh.

I came up in the 2nd with one out and Rick Cerone on 1st. I replaced Rick with a fielder's choice.
Stolen base #63.
I scored on a Ryan Klesko single.

Giants lead 1-0

I took care of a Daniel Williams grounder for the last out in the 2nd.

We got another run int he 3rd when Harold Baines scored on a Ruben Sierra double.

Giants lead 2-0

I got the 2nd out in the bottom of the 3rd off a Clay Bellinger fielder's choice ball.

I came up in the 4th with Rick on 1st again. This time I hit into a double play.

I came up in the 6th with one out and Rick on 1st yet again. This time I flew out to Brian Downing in left.

I led off the 9th, now facing Greg McMichael. I drove one up the middle for a single.
I went to 2nd on a bunt single by Ryan.
We both moved up on a sac bunt by John.
I was thrown out at the plate on a fielder's choice by Luis Medina.
Ryan then scored on a Robby Thompson single.

Giants lead 3-0

I got the 1st out int he bottom of the 9th off a fielder's choice ball by pinch hitter Jose Lind.
With eon out and mana on, Matt brought in Bobby Thigpen.
Two batters later, John Olerud hit a three run homer to tie the game.

Game tied 3-3

I came up in the 10th with two out, Rick on 1st, and Arthur Rhodes pitching. I struck out.

Tom Kramer came in for us in the bottom of the 10th.
I took care of a Felix Jose grounder for the 2nd out behind him.

In the bottom of the 11th, Rusty Greer hit an RBI single to give Houston the walk-off, 4-3 win.

We dominated for 8 innings and then gave it away.

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

[rpriske]

August 21st, 1991

We need to bounce back from yesterday's heartbreaker.

Today the Astros are pitching Pete Schourek (10-1, 2.28).

The Giants have Frank Viola (11-7, 3.42).

I have gone 3 for 8 with a home run against Schourek.

I am hitting seventh.

I took care of a Felix Jose grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 1st.

I came up in the 2nd with one out and Alvin Davis on 2nd. I hit one off the wall in right centre for an RBI triple!
I scored on a Ryan Klesko groundout.

Giants lead 2-0

In the bottom half, the Astros closed the gap when Ryne Sandberg crossed on a Daniel Williams single.

Giants lead 2-1

In the 3rd Robby Thompson scored on a Rick Cerone sac fly.
I grounded out to end it.

Giants lead 3-1

Ryan led off the 4th wth a home run.

Giants lead 4-1

I took care of a Williams grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 5th.

I led off the 6th by grounding out to Clay Bellinger at short.

In the 7th, Rusty Greer scored on a Williams double.
The Williams scored on a single by Casey Candaele and an error by Luis Medina.
Then Jerry Browne tied the game with a pinch hit, RBI triple.
Browne scored on a sac fly by Jose.

Astros lead 5-4

I came up in the 8th with two out and Rick on 1st. Greg McMichael was pitching. I grounded out to Sandberg.

Rod Nichols took the mound for us in the bottom of the 8th.
I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get John Olerud and Ryne Sandberg.

Ryan led off the 9th with another home run!

Game tied 5-5

Until Tony Pena hit a pinch hit, RBI single to win it for the Astros in the bottom of the 9th.

Another game where we squandered an early lead.

I went 1 for 4 with a triple, an RBI, and a Run Scored.

[rpriske]

August 22nd, 1991

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

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

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

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

I am hitting seventh.

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

Astros lead 1-0

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

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

Astros lead 2-0

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

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

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

Astros lead 2-1

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

Astros lead 3-1

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

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

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

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

Astros lead 3-2

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

I was on deck when we made the final out.

We were swept.

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

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

Bobby? Our closer?

Apparently Tom Kramer is our closer now.

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

[rpriske]

August 23rd, 1991

We are in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates are pitching Clay Parker (7-5, 4.15).

The Giants have Don Robinson (5-5, 3.69).

I have very little exposure to Parker and even less success, going 0 for 3.

I a hitting fifth.

We opened the scoring in the 1st when Ruben Sierra hit a solo homer.

I came up with two out and Alvin Davis on 1st. I grounded out to Chris Butterfield at 1st.

Giants lead 1-0

That lead was very short lived as the Pirates third batter, Sid Bream, hit a three run home run.

I got the 2nd out in the bottom of the 1st, off a fielder's choice ball by Charlie Montoyo.

Pirates lead 3-1

I came up with one out in the 4th and reached on an infield single.
Stolen base #64.
I went to 3rd on a Timothy McKercher groundout.
I was left on.

Willie McGee led off the bottom of the 5th with a home run.

I next came up with one out in the 6th. I grounded out to Butterfield again.

Mike Scott took the ball for us in the bottom of the 6th.
Rick Cerone also replaced Timothy in a double switch.

In the 7th I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get Sid Bream and Marcus Carter to end the inning.

I came up in the 8th with two out and Alvin on 1st. Mike Stanton was now pitching, I walked.
Craig Grebeck hit for Mike but struck out.

Scott Service took over on the mound after that.

We lost our 4th game in a row. We are now seven games below .500.

I went 1 for 3 with a single, a walk, and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

August 24th, 1991

I am going to let you in on a little secret. I am very unhappy this year. The skipper has been chucking me all over the lineup with little regard for results.

Just look at my numbers. I am a dramatically better hitter when batting in the 3 or 4 spot. Yet he keeps putting me down in the 6 or 7 spot.

That isn't what I was expecting when I signed my extension.

Now, I am not one to complain. I just keep my head down and play the game. And I will keep doing that. But oof I can't vent in my own blog, where else can I do it?

We are trying to bounce back from four losses in a row.

The Pirates are pitching Chris Hook (0-3, 4.34).

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe (5-9, 4.66).

I have only faced Hook once and am 0 for 1.

I am hitting fifth. That is somewhat better.

I got into a big situation right away. top of the 1st and I came up with one out and Harold Baines, Ruben Sierra, and Alvin Davis loading the bases.
I struck out.
We ended up not scoring.

I took care of a Marcus Carter grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 2nd.

It looked like I might come up in a similar situation in the 3rd, but with me standing on deck, Alvin hit a one out, three-run homer!

I grounded out to Chris Butterfield at 3rd.

Giants lead 3-0

I am sure getting into some high leverage spots.
5th inning. None out. On the bases, Harold, Ruben, and Alvin.
Sigh. Fielder's choice with Harold out at home.

I complain about my role and immediately do everything I can to prove I don't deserve it.

Timothy McKercher then did the exact same thing, with Ruben out at the plate.

I used the one thing I can always count on - my wheels. Alvin and I both scored on a Ryan Klesko single!

Then Timothy scored on a Tim Naehring single.

Giants lead 6-0

I came up in the 6th with two out, Ruben on 2nd, and Alvin on 1st. Sam August was now pitching. I grounded out to Charlie Montoyo at 2nd.

I took care of another Carter grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 8th.

I then came up with two out in the 9th. Steve Foster was on the mound. I singled into centre.
(Getting a hit is good, but it was also the lowest leverage situation of the day for me.)
Stolen base #65.
I got no further.

Rick got the complete game win, allowing only three hits.

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

[rpriske]

August 25th, 1991

After yesterday's win, the team seems a little more energized.

A little.

Today the Pirates are giving us Doug Harris (4-11, 4.95).

The Giants have John Burkett (9-11, 410).

Harris is a rookie and none of us have ever faced him.

I am hitting... third. Huh.

I came up in the 1st with none out, Robby Thompson on 3rd, and Harold Baines on 1st.
I singled into centre, scoring Robby and sending Harold to 2nd.

With two out, Bruce Bernadin walked to load the bases, but we left them that way.

Giants lead 1-0

In the bottom of the 2nd, Lee Stevens hit a solo homer to tie it up.

Game tied 1-1

I came up with one out in the top of the 3rd and grounded out back to Harris.

I came up next in the 5th with one out and Harold on 1st. During the at bat, Harold went to 2nd on a wild pitch and then scored on my RBI single to centre. I moved to 2nd on the throw home.
Stolen base #66.
Alvin Davis followed with a home run.

Giants lead 4-1

Ryan Klesko led off the 6th with a home run.
I came up with two out, Robby on 2nd, and Harold on 1st. Jeff Fassero was pitching. I flew out to centre.

Giants lead 5-1

I took care of a Bip Roberts grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 6th.
I did the same to Sid Bream for the 3rd out.

With one out and two on in the bottom of the 8th, Matt brought in Tom Kramer.
I caught a Stevens pop to end the threat.

I came up in the 9th with one out, Robby on 3rd, and Steve Foster pitching. I was given the intentional walk.
You give me one base, and I am taking two. Stolen base #67.
They then intentionally walked Alvin.
Rick Cerone flew out and Robby tried to turn it into a sac fly, but was gunned down at the plate.

In the bottom of the 9th, pinch hitter Willie McGee scored on a fielder's choice by pinch hitter Scott Meadows.
I then got Roberts on a grounder for the 2nd out.
Meadows scored on a Dave Nilsson double.
Tom get the 3rd out, but the Pirates made it interesting.

We won, 5-3.

I went 2 for 4 with two singles, an intentional walk, two RBI, two runs scored, and two stolen bases.

I like hitting 3rd.

Now we are heading to St. Louis for two games.

[rpriske]

August 26th, 1991

We are in St. Louis and the Cardinals are pitching Pedro Martinez (11-9, 3.64).

The Giants have Frank Viola (11-7, 3.53).

I have gone 2 for 8 against Pedro, including a home run.

But I am back to hitting sixth for some reason.

I led off the 2nd by flying out to Vince Coleman in left.

I got the 1st out in the bottom half, off a Dave Anderson fielder's choice ball.

We scored a bunch in the 3rd.
First Harold Baines crossed on a balk by Pedro.
Then Ruben Sierra scored on a single by Rick Cerone.

I came up with Alvin Davis on 3rd, Nic on 1st, and one out, and I pooped out to Terry Pendelton at 3rd.

Ryan Klesko followed me with a three-run homer.

Giants lead 5-0

I came up in the 5th with two out and Ruben on 2nd. I lined out to Derek Henderson at short.

I took care of a Henderson grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 6th.
I then caught a pop by pinch hitter Luis Gonzalez for out #2.

I came up in the 7th with two out, Alvin on 1st, and Steve Dreyer pitching. I grounded out to Henderson.

I handled a Dave Anderson grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 8th.

In the bottom of the 9th, pinch hitter Ruben Amaro scored on a Coleman groundout.
Then pinch hitter Lance Johnson scored on a Bernie Williams single.

But Sweet Music shut the door after that and we had the 5-2 win.

I went 0 for 4.