[rpriske]

August 23rd, 1987

The Firebirds are finishing up today in Albuquerque. I hope I go from here to rejoin the Giants. We'll see.

The Dukes are pitching Larry Person (2-1. 6.00)

The Firebirds have another former teammate of mine, Dave Miller (6-1, 2.67).

I opened the game by putting one up the middle for a single.
Eddie Milner walked behind me. We set up a double steal and Duke catcher Jon Debus threw the ball away trying to catch me at 3rd. I ended up scoring and Eddie got an extra base. He ended up scoring on a double play ball and Phil Ouellette scored on a Brad Wellman single.

Firebirds lead 3-0

The Dukes came out just as strong on the bottom half, as Gregg Ritchie scored on a Jeff Hamilton single. Jonathan Pequignot scored on a David Price sac fly. Hamilton scored on a Domingo Michel single. Then Christopher Chapman scored on a balk by Dave!
I took a Joe Vavra grounder for the 2nd out. Debus singled and Michel scored.
I handled a Darrell Porter grounder for the 3rd out.
Ouch.

Dukes lead 5-3

I came up in the 2nd with one out and Bobby Miscik on 1st. I grounded into a fielder's choice. I then scored on a double by Eddie.

Dukes lead 5-4

In the bottom half Pequignot scored on a double by Hamilton. Then Hamilton scored on a single by Price.
That was enough for Coop and Dave got the hook.
Mike Griffin came in. He has been lights out in AAA, I wonder when he'll be back up with the Giants?

Dukes lead 7-4

In the 3rd we got a Miscik - Priske - Litton double play to get Debus and Porter out.

I came up in the 4th with one out and Mark Berry on 1st. There was a wild pitch that sent Mark to 2nd and then he went 3rd as I singled through the left side. I stole 2nd - my 3rd since starting my rehab assignment. Mark scored and I went to 3rd on a groundout by Eddie. I then scored on a single by Phil.

Dukes lead 7-6

I got the 1st out in the bottom frame off a grounder by Hamilton.

I then did the same in the 5th off a Debus grounder.

I came up in the 6th with one out and Steve Cummings pitching. I walked. Stolen base #4 AND #5. I was unable to score.

After Mike gave up a leadoff single (his first hit allowed), Coop went to Charlie Corbeil in the 6th. Hit, walk, hit and Hamilton and Chapman crossed on a Michel single (breaking Mike's perfect ERA). After that Price scored on a Debus sac fly.

Dukes lead 10-6

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

I took a Chapman grounder for the 1st out in the bottom half.
We couldn't score in the 9th and took the loss.

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles, a walk, three runs scored, and four stolen bases.

My hope was in vain. I am heading back to Phoenix with the team to face the Tucson Toros. They have to bring me up after that game (unless they actually want to assign me to AAA. I certainly hope not.)