Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

May 23rd, 1993

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

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

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

I am hitting seventh..

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

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

This slump has dropped my batting average below .260.

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

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

Giants lead 1-0

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

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

Giants lead 5-0

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

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

We went no further.

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

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

17-28, and out of the basement!

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

Tomorrow is a travel day as we head to Chicago.

All Star Voting has started.

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

[rpriske]

May 25th, 1993

We are at Wrigley and ready to go.

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

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

I am hitting seventh.

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

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

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

Cubs lead 2-0

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

Cubs lead 2-1

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

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

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

I am starting to feel more normal.

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

Game tied 2-2

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

Cubs lead 3-2

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

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

We couldn't score and took the loss.

17-29

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

[rpriske]

May 26th, 1993

The game was rained out.

Tomorrow is now a Double Header.

[rpriske]

May 27th, 1993

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

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

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

I am hitting seventh.

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

Cubs lead 1-0

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

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

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

Game tied 1-1

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

Giants lead 2-1

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

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

Game tied 2-2, going to extras.

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

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

17-30

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

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