Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

June 15th, 1993

We are in Cincinnati and we haven't be playing too bad lately. Relatively.

The Reds are pitching Jim Key (4-3, 5.08).

The Giants have Charlie Vinson Jr. (2-4, 3.42).

I am hitting - you guessed it - seventh.

I came up in the 2nd with one out and Criag Grebck on 2nd. I struck out.

I took care of a Chris Sabo grounder for the last out in the 2nd.

In the 3rd we turned a Grebeck - Priske - Caminiti double play.

I came up in the 4th with none out, Tim Naehring on 3rd, and Craig on 1st. I struck out again What the hell?

And we never cashed that run in.

Then, in the bottom half, Paul Molitor scored on a Rafael Serra sac fly.

Reds lead 1-0

That top of the 4th may haunt us.

I came up in the 6th with one out and Craig on 3rd. I flew out to Dave Staton in centre, but not deep enough to cash in Craig.
He was left on again.

Joe Boever took over on the mound for is in the 6th.

In the 7th, Otis Nixon scored on an Antonio Martinez sac fly.
I came up with now out, Ruben Sierra on 3rd, and Ken Caminiti on 2nd, I grounded out to short.

Game tied 1-1

I caught a Molitor pop for the 1st out in the bottom half.

Mike Christopher took the ball for us in the 8th.

With a man on one none out int he bottom of the 9th, Matt turned to Kip Gross.
We turned a Grebeck - Priske - Caminiti double play to push the game to extras.

I came up in the 10th with on out and Roberto Hernandez on the mound. I grounded out to Serra at short.

Mike Perez took the ball for us in the bottom of the inning.

Juan Ramos got a pinch hit, RBI single to give the Reds a walk off, 2-1 win.

25-39

I was awful at the plate today. 0 for 5 with two strikeouts, leaving SEVEN on base.

[rpriske]

June 16th, 1993

After a terrible day yesterday, I am hoping for a bounce back. It was a tight loss for the team, and I did nothing.

Today the Reds are pitching Frank Castillo (0-7, 5.45).

The Giants have John Burkett (3-5, 4.77).

I am hitting seventh.

We turned a Grebeck - Priske - Caminiti double play to end the 1st.

I came up in the 2nd with one out and Craig Grebeck on 1st. I reached on an error by Chris Sabo in right. Craig went to 2nd.
Antonio Martinez grounded out, moving both of us up 90 feet.
We were left there.

I then came up in the 4th with two out and Tim Naehring on 2nd. They gave me an intentional walk.
Castillo then hit Antonio with a pitch, loading the bases.
We left them that way.

I handled a Carlos Baerga grounder for the 1st out in the bottom half.
I then did the same to Paul Molitor for the 2nd.

I next came up in the 6th with two out and Otis Nixon on 1st. I reached on an infield hit, moving Otis to 2nd.
Antonio reached on an error by Rafael Serra, loading the bases.
We left them that way again.
(Both times that was John, our pitcher, at the plate.)

I took care of another grounder by Baerga for the final out in the 6th.

In the 8th I came up in the exact same situation as the 6th - two out and Otis on 1st. This time, I struck out.

In the top of the 9th, pinch hitter Ryan Klesko scored on a sac fly by Ruben Sierra.

Giants lead 1-0

Mike Perez took the ball for John. Side note, John only allowed three hits, and two of them were in the 8th.

I took care of yet another Baerga grounder for the 2nd out behind him.
But, with two out, Paul Molitor reached on an infield single and then Serra hit a two run homer to give the Reds a 2-1, walk off.

Just brutal.

25-40

I went 1 for 3 with a single, an intentional walk, and a reached-on-error.

[rpriske]

June 17th, 1993

The Reds walked us off, 2-1, in two straight games.

Today they are pitching Steve Trachsel (2-5, 4.86).

The Giants have Mark Gardner (1-2, 2.91).

I am hitting seventh.

I came up in the 2nd with none out and Otis Nixon on 2nd. I flew out to Shawn Twillie in centre.

In the bottom half, the Reds opened the scoring when Eric Davis crossed on a double by Trachsel.

Reds lead 1-0

I caught a pop by Rafael Serra for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 3rd.
Mark McGwire followed with a solo home run.

Reds lead 2-0

I came up in the 4th with two out and Otis on 1st. I lined a fastball into left for a single. Otis went to 2nd.
We both scored on a double by Antonio Martinez.

Game tied 2-2

We took the lead in the 5th when Ken Caminiti scored on a Craig Grebeck single.
I came up with two out and the base loaded. They brought Nate Washington in to face me and I grounded out.

Giants lead 3-2

In the 7th, Tim Naehring scored on a single by Craig.

Giants lead 4-2

I led off the 8th, now facing Tristan Monroe. I grounded out to Carlos Baerga at 2nd.

Mike Christopher took the mound for us in the bottom of the 8th.

Then Kịp Gross took over in the 9th.
Three batters later, we had the win.

26-40

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

Now we are heading to Houston.

[rpriske]

June 18th, 1993

We are playing under the dome.

The Astros are pitching Arthur Rhodes (2-3, 5.04).

The Giants have Al Leiter (2-5, 3.58).

I am hitting seventh.

In the bottom of the 1st, Houston opened the scoring when Roberto Alomar crossed on an Elijah Foster groundout.

Astros lead 1-0

I came up in the 2nd with two out and Tim Naehring on 2nd. While I was at the plate, Tim went to 3rd on a passed ball.
I flew out to Foster in centre.

Things turned our way in the 3rd.
Ryan Klesko scored onan Antonio Martinez single.
Otis Nixon scored on a Ken Caminiti single.
Antonio and Ken scored on a Craig Grebeck single.
I came up with two out, Tim on 3rd, and Craig on 1st. I lined out to centre again.

Giants lead 4-1

I caught a Harold Baines pop for the 1st out in the bottom of the 4th.

I came up in the 6th with none out, Craig on 1st, and Randy Tomlin pitching. I walked on four straight.
Craig was thrown out trying to score on a single by Ryan. Ryan and I took an extra base on the throw.
We were stranded.

With two out in the 6th, Matt brought in Jose Bautista.

I came up with two out in the 8th, now facing Mike Timlin. I walked on four pitches again.
Then Ryan walked.
We were left on.

Mike Christopher came in to pitch in the bottom half.

We turned a Grebeck - Priske - Klesko double play behind him.

In the 9th Von Hayes tripled then scored on a single by Antonio.

Giants lead 5-1

Kip Gross came in to pitch the 9th.
He gave up a single, but nothing more, and we got the win.

27-40

I went 0 for 2 with a pair of walks.

After the game we found out that Ruben Sierra was being sent down to Phoenix while Matt Mieske was called up. Tough for Ruben, but he just hasn't been hitting this year.

[rpriske]

June 19th, 1993

In Houston, going for our third win in a row.

Today the Astros are pitching Cliff Young (0-1, 6.57).

The Giants have Craig Lefferts (2-6, 8.43).

And Matt has dropped me to hitting 8th.

EIGHTH.

Antonio Martinez hit a two run homer in the top of the 1st.

Giants lead 2-0

I took care of a Roberto Alomar grounder for the 1st out in the bottom half.
I then did the same to Elijah Foster for the 3rd out.

I led off the 2nd by reaching on an error by Alomar.
Stolen base #24.
I went to 3rd on a sac bunt by Craig.
Otis Nixon walked.
We were stranded.

I came up next in the 4th, with none out and Ryan Klesko on 1st. I walked.
Ryan scored and I went to 3rd on a double by Craig!
I scored on an infield single by Otis.
Craig scored on a single by Antonio.

Giants lead 5-0

Harold Baines led off the bottom half with a home run.
I handled a Jay Bell grounder for the 1st out.

Giants lead 5-1

I came up in the 5th with two out, Craig Grebeck on 2nd, and Randy Tomlin pitching. I was given the intentional walk.
We were left on.

In the 5th, Alomar scored on a John Olerud sac fly.
Foster then hit a two run homer.

With two out and a man on, Matt brought in Joe Hall.

Giants lead 5-4

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

I came up in the 8th with on out and Rich Rodriguez pitching. I flew out to Foster in centre.

Kip Gross took the mound for us in the bottom of the inning.
We turned a Grebeck - Priske - Davis double play for him.
I took care of a Hector Tapia grounder for the 3rd out.

With none out in the 9th, and a man on 2nd, Matt brought in Mike Perez.
Craig Biggio ended up scoring on a Tony Phillips sac fly, to tie the game.

Game tied 5-5, and we are going to extras.

I came up in the 10th with one out, Alvin Davis on 2nd, and Craig on 1st. Jeff Montgomery was pitching. I flew out to Foster again.

Roger Mason took the ball for us in the bottom of the 10th.
I caught a Felix Jose pop for the 2nd out.

Mark Ross took over for us in the 12th.

I came up in the 13th with one out and Greg McMichael pitching. I singled up the middle.
I was replaced with a Von Hayes fielder's choice.

I came up next in the 15th, with two out, Ryan on 1st, and Alan Mills pitching. I walked.
Ryan scored on a single by Von.
Von and I were left on.

Giants lead 6-5

Joe Boever took the ball for us in the bottom of the 15th.
He gave up a single, but that was all, and we had the win!

28-40

I went 1 for 4 with a single, three walks, a reached-on-error, a run scored, and a stolen base.

There are rumours that the Giants are talking to the Padres about a trade.
The rumoured name on our end is Timothy McKercher. That makes sense as he is having a great year in Phoenix.

[rpriske]

June 20th, 1993

We are going for the sweep in Houston.

Today the Astros are pitching Pete Schourek (3-1, 3.36).

The Giants have Charlie Vinson Jr. (2-4, 3.32).

I am hitting second! That is a nice change.

(Though why not leadoff?)

I came up with one out in the1st and I flew out to Felix Jose in right.

In the bottom half, the Astro opened the scoring when John Olerud crossed on a Harold Baines single.
Then Elijah Foster and Baines scored on a Jay Bell single.
I took care of a Jose grounder for the last out.

Astros lead 3-0

I came up in the 3rd with two out and Otis Nixon on 1st. I lined out to Bell at short.

In the bottom of the 4th, Schourek scored on a Tony Phillips single.

Astros lead 4-0

In the 5th, Craig Biggio and Jose scored on a Roberto Alomar double.

Matt brought in Joe Boever after that.
Alomar scored on a Phillips single.
I took care of an Olerud grounder to end the bleeding.

Astros lead 7-0

I came up in the 6th with one out and Otis on 1st. I grounded out to Olerud at 1st, but I advanced the runner.
Otis then scored on a Ken Caminiti single.

Astros lead 7-1

Jose Bautista took the ball for us in the 7th.

I led off the 8th by flying out to Foster in centre.

In the bottom half, Foster scored on a Baines double.

Astros lead 8-1

Well, we didn't get the sweep.

28-41

I went 0 for 4.

``````````````
The All-Star voting leaders were updated and I am trailing Travis Fryman of the Cubs.
````````````````

Now we head home to face the Padres.

[rpriske]

June 21st, 1993

Back home to face the Padres.

San Diego is pitching Ben Rivera (3-3, 4.29).

The Giants have John Burkett (3-5, 4.32).

I am back to hitting seventh.

We got not eh board in the bottom of the 1st when Bryce Bernadin hit a two run homer.

Giants lead 2-0

I handled a Chad Curtis grounder for the first out in the 2nd.

I came up with one out in the bottom half and I reached on an infield hit.
I got no further.

Bryce went deep for a second time - this one a 3rd inning solo blast.

Giants lead 3-0

I came up with one out in the 4th and got my second straight infield single.
Antonio Martinez hit into a double play.

In the 5th I started a Priske - Grebeck - Caminiti double play.

The Astros cracked the egg in the 6th when Rivera scored on a Sid Bream sac fly.

Giants lead 3-1

I came up in the bottom of the 6th with one out, Tim Nearing in 3rd, and Craig Grebeck on 1st. I blooped an RBI single to left, sending Craig to 2nd.
We were left on.

Giants lead 4-1

We turned a Davis - Priske - Davis double play in the 7th, after Alvin came in as a defensive replacement.

I took care of a grounder by pinch hitter, Ozzie Smith, for the 1st out.

Ozzie might be the second best defensive SS in history.

I came up with two out in the 8th, now facing Scott Bankhead. I struck out.

Mike Perez took the ball for us in the 9th.
Robert Sandoval scored on a Felix Jose sac fly.
Mike had some control issues, walking three, but he got out of it and we won, 4-2.

29-41

I went 3 for 4, all singles, with an RBI.

After the game we were told of a trade.

Aaron Morris was sent to the Twins for Mike Brewington. Aaron was in the minors already.
Matt Mieske was Designated for Assignment to make room for Mike.

Mike is a 26 year old firstbaseman, with 9 games of Big League experience.

[rpriske]

June 22nd, 1993

We won yesterday and have a new man in the clubhouse.

Today the Padres are pitching Danny Darwin (8-3, 3.20).

The Giants are going with Mark Gardner (2-2, 2.70).

I am leading off! This, I like.

I led off the bottom of the 1st by popping out to Sid Bream at 1st. This, I don't like.

I next came up with two out in the 3rd and drove a slider to left for a single.
Ken Caminiti walked.
We were stranded.

The Padres opened the scoring int he 4th when Robert Sandoval crossed on an Orlando Merced double.

Padres lead 1-0

I caught a Sandoval pop for the 2nd out in the 5th.

I came up with one out in the bottom half and I grounded out to Bream at 1st.

Roger Mason took the ball for us in the 6th.

We even the score in the bottom half when Bryce Bernadin doubled and scored on a Tim Naehring sac fly.

Game tied 1-1

I took care of a Sandoval grounder for the 3rd out in the 7th.

Mike Christoper was next to the mound for us in the 8th.

I led off the bottom of the 8th by sneaking one through to left field for a single.
I never got past 1st.

I don't know why my stolen bases have dried up so much.

With two out and one on in the 9th, Matt brought in Mike Perez.
That inherited runner - pinch hitter, Troy Staten - scored on a Luis Polonia double.

Padres lead 2-1

We couldn't get it back and lost a winnable game.

29-42

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles.

[rpriske]

June 23rd, 1993

We split the first two games agains the Padres.

Today they are pitching Jimmy Jones (3-5, 3.89).

The Giants have Al Leiter (3-5, 3.44).

I am batting sixth.

I got right into the action, making the first out on a groundball by Chad Curtis.

In the bottom half od the opening frame, Bryce Bernadin hit a two-run homer.

Giants lead 2-0

In the 2nd, Sid Bream scored on a Bill Pecota single.
Then Tim McIntosh and Pecota crossed on a single by Curtis.

Padres lead 3-2

I led off the bottom of the 2nd by reaching on an error by Jones.
I went to 2nd on a sac bunt by Joe Hall.
I went to 3rd on stolen base #25.
I scored on a sac fly by Antonio Martinez.

Game tied 3-3

In the 4th, Al walked Curtis with the bases loaded.
We turned a Priske - Naehring - Caminiti double play to stop it there.

Padres lead 4-3

I came up in the bottom of the inning, with none out and Tim Naehring on 1st. I grounded into a fielder's choice.
With two out I grabbed Stolen Base #26.
I scored on a single by Antonio.

Game tied 4-4

In the 5th, Tony Gwynn scored on a Bream double.
Robert Sandoval scored when Al was called for a balk.

Padres lead 6-4

Kip Gross took over for us in the 6th.

I led off the bottom of the 6th by driving a curve ball into right for a single.
Stolen base #27.
I went to 3rd when Antonio flew out.
I was left on.

In the 7th, Bream scored on an Orlando Merced double.

Padres lead 7-4

In the bottom half, Tim hit a three-run homer to tie the game up!
Then I grounded out.

Game tied 7-7

Mark Ross was next up for us, in the 8th.

In the 9th Matt went with Jose Bautista.

We won in the bottom of the 9th, in the most anti-climactic way ever. Otis Nixon scored when David Nied balked.

We won, 8-7

30-42

I went 1 for 4 with a single, a reached-on-error, two runs scored, and three stolen bases.

We are now tied in 4th in the NL West. We still trail the 1st place Astros by 9.

Next, the Rockies come to town.

[rpriske]

June 24th, 1993

The Rockies are in town but I have been given the day off.

I came in as a pinch runner in the 6th, then stayed in to play short.

Rockies lead 3-2

In the 7th, Mike Brewington scored on a Ken Caminiti single.
I grounded into a fielder's choice.

Game tied 3-3

Mike Christopher took the ball for us in the 8th.
He gave up a two run homer to Benito Santiago.

Rockies lead 5-3

Roger Mason took over in the 9th.

Orestes Destrade hit a solo shot.

Rockies lead 6-3

(STORM CAME OVER AND I QUICK SIMMED BEFORE LOSING POWER)

We lost, 6-5

I went 0 for 1 with a walk.

[rpriske]

June 25th, 1993

I am not going to lie, I am still pretty tired. (The real me as well!)

But I am playing.

Today the Rockets are pitching Chris Bosio (8-5, 2.44).

The Giants are going with Charlie Vinson Jr. (2-5, 3.84).

I am hitting 3rd. (So when I am feeling worn down, Matt moves me up?)

No excuses. Let's do this.

I came up with two out int he bottom of the 1st and grounded out to Dave Magadan at 1st.

We opened the scoring int he 2nd when Ryan Klesko crosses on a Joe Hall single.

Giants lead 1-0

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

The Rockies evened it up in the 5th when Magadan scored on a Bosio single and an error by Ryan.

Game tied 1-1

I caught a Glenallen Hill liner for the 3rd out in the 6th.

I came up with one out in the bottom of the inning and I grounded out to Scott Livingstone at short.

We turned a Priske - Davis - Vinson double play to end the top of the e7th.

We took the lead back in the bottom half when Joe scored on a single by Alvin Davis.

Giants lead 2-1

Mike Christopher took the ball for us with two out and one on in the 8th.
I took care of a Mike Blowers grounder to end the frame.

I came up in the bottom half with two out, nobody on, and Eric King pitching. I grounded out to Blowers at 3rd.

Mike Perez took the mound for us in the 9th, to close things out.
I handled a Hill grounder for the 1st out.
Two batters later, Magadan doubled, scoring Livingstone to tie the game.

Game tied 2-2

Jose Bautista took the ball for us in the 10th.

I led off in the 11th, now facing Jeff Innis. I popped out to Blowers.

Kip Gross got the nod from Matt in the 12th.
I took care of a Benito Santiago grounder for the 1st out.

I dealt with a Hill grounder for the 1st out in the 13th.

With two out and the bases loaded, Matt switched to Roger Mason.
He got out of it.

I led off the bottom of the inning, facing Kamar Gilyard. I lined out to Jose Uribe at short.

We turned a Grebeck - Priske - Brewington double play to end the top of the 14th.

But then Joe walked to lead off the bottom of the inning. He went to 2nd on a deep fly by Ken Caminiti and then scored on a Von Hayes double.

We won, 3-2.
31-43

I went 0 for 6.

We are now in the 3-way tie for 3rd in the division, with the Padres and Dodgers. (Still 9 games back of the Astros.)

[rpriske]

June 26th, 1993

I was already tired and yesterday was a long one, so I have the day off again today.

The boys didn't need me and beat the Rockies, 6-2.

We now have sole possession of 3rd place.

[rpriske]

June 27th, 1993

We are wrapping a four game set against Colorado, as well as our home stand.

The Rockies are pitching Tom Flier (3-5, 3.52).

The Giants have Mark Gardner (2-2, 2.62).

I am hitting clean-up!

I came up in the 1st with one out, Otis Nixon on 2nd, and Bryce Bernadin on 1st. I flew out to Glanallen Hill in right.

I next came up in the 3rd, with one out and Ken Caminiti on 1st. This time I flew out to Bernie Walker on left. (Using all fields?)

Ken ended up scoring on a Joe Hall double.

Giants lead 1-0

I handled a Jeff King grounder for the 1st out in the 4th.

Bad news this inning. Otis was hurt on the base paths. I don't know how bad it is.

I then took care of a Scott Livingstone grounder for the 2nd out in the 5th.

I came up with one out in the bottom of the 5th and grounded up the middle for a single.
With two out I nabbed stolen base #28.
I scored on a Craig Grebeck single.
Craig and Antonio Martinez scored on a Von Hayes triple.

Giants lead 4-0

I led off in the 7th, now facing Jeff Brantley. I grounded out to King at 3rd.

With two on and none out in the 8th, Matt brought in Mike Christopher.
Lenny Webster scored on a sac fly by pinch hitter, Mike Blowers.
Dickie Thon scored on a single by Walker.
Then Hill hit a three-run homer.

Matt brought in Mark Ross, who got the 3rd out.

Rockies lead 5-4

Joe Boever took the ball in the 9th.

Livingstone scored on a Thon double.
Webster scored on a Lance Johnson single.
We turned a Grebeck - Priske - Brewington double play, but Thon scored on a the play.

Rockies lead 8-4

I came up with one out in the 9th, with Eric King on the mound. I flew out to Johnson in centre.

Wow, that game turned around quickly.

32-44

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

All-Star voting update. I still trail Travis Fryman.

Otis has a mild calf strain. He says he can play through it.

We are heading to L.A.