Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

September 23rd, 1992

Sure we are well out of it, but it is still nice to score some wins.

We are on a seven game tear and back home.

Today the Braves are pitching Danny Jackson (4-14, 4.42).

The Giants have Charlie Vinson Jr. (9-14, 3.40).

I am hitting seventh.

I got the 2nd out in the 2nd, off a Sergio Orea grounder, but Mike Scioscia scored on the play.

Braves lead 1-0

I came up in the bottom of the 2nd with two out and Tim Naehring on 2nd. I lined out to Chris Gwynn in right.

We turned a Grebeck - Priske - Lewis double play to end the top of the 3rd.

In the bottom half, Jason McFarlin scored on a double play and Charlie scored on a Ruben Sierra single.

Giants lead 2-1

I handled a Scioscia grounder for the 2nd out in the 4th.

I came up in the bottom half, with one out and Craig Grebeck on 1st. I singled up the middle bit when Craig headed to 3rd, I tried to grab 2nd and they cut off the throw and got me out.

Craig ended up scoring on a single by Jason, though.

Giants lead 3-1

I took care of a grounder by Ken Griffey Jr. for the 1st out in the 6th.

I came up in the bottom of the 6th, with one out and Craig on 1st, again. This time I hit it off the centre field wall for an RBI double.
I went to 3rd on a single by Jason.
With two out, Jason stole 2nd.
I scored and Jason went to 3rd on a single by mark Lewis.

Giants lead 5-1

In the 7th Scioscia and Mike Humphreys scored on a single by Joey Cora.

Giants lead 5-3

Mark Ross took the mound for us in the 8th.
Ryan Klesko took over at 1st and Jesse Barfield took over in RF in a triple switch. Mark and Charlie left the game.

With two out and two on, Matt switched to Jeff Russell.
Jeff Bagwell and Gene Larkin scored on a single by Humnphreys, tying the game.
I handled a Jim Them grounder to end it.

Game tied 5-5

I led off the bottom of the 8th, now facing Jeremy Hernandez. I grounded out to Thome at 3rd.
But then Jason scored on a single by Ryan, giving us back the lead.

Giants lead 6-5

With one out and men on the corners in the top of the 9th, Matt brought in Bobby Thigpen. Matt Mieske replaced Jesse in a another double switch.
But we turned a Grebeck - Priske - Klesko double play to end the game.

We have now won eight in a row!

I went 2 for 4 with a double, a single, an RBI, and a run scored.

Bret Lachemann was activated from the 60-day IL and sent to Phoenix on a rehab assignment.

[rpriske]

September 24th, 1992

It is the second game of a two game set at home against the Braves.

We have won eight in a row.

Today the Braves are pitching Phil Leftwich (0-1, 9.00).

The Giants have John Burkett (10-19, 3.39).

I am hitting sixth.

I took the first play of the game, handling a Ron Gant grounder for the 1st out.

I came up with one out in the bottom of the 2nd and I walked on four pitches.
Stolen base #74.
I was stranded.

In the 3rd, Jerry Browne scored on a Craig Grebeck single.
I came up with the bases loaded and lined out to centre.

Giants lead 1-0

In the 4th, Jason McFarlin scored when Jerry walked with the bases loaded.
Then Timothy McKercher scored on a Ruben Sierra single and John scored when Tim Naehring was hit by a pitch, with the sacks still full.

Giants lead 4-0

In the top of the 5th, Marty Cordova hit a two run homer.

Giants lead 4-2

I led off the bottom of the 5th by lining one through the right side for a single.
I went to 2nd on a sac bunt by Jason.
Stolen base #75.
I scored on a two out double by John!

Giants lead 5-2

I led off the bottom of the 7th, now facing Bobby Ayala. I flew out to Mike Humphreys in right.

Bobby Thigpen took the ball for us in the 8th.
We turned a Naehring - Priske - Klesko double play behind him.

With two on and two out in the 9th, Matt turned to Scott Service.
One fly ball later he had the save and we had our ninth win in a row!

I went 1 for 3 with a single, a walk, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

Next up, the Reds come to town!

[rpriske]

September 25th, 1992

Even this far out, winning nine in a row is pretty great. Do you know what would be better? Winning ten.

The Reds are in town and are pitching Jim Abbott (10-12, 3.77).

The Giants are going with Rick Sutcliffe (7-12, 3.70).

I am hitting seventh.

I took care of a Paul Molitor grounder for the first play of the game.
I caught a towering Carlos Baerga pop up for the 3rd out.

I then handled a Brian Harper grounder for the 2nd out and an Eric Davis grounder for the 3rd out in the 2nd.

I came up in the bottom of the 2nd with one out and Craig Grebeck on 1st. I drove a ball into centre for a single, sending Craig to 2nd.
We were stranded.

I took care of a Kirk Gibson fielder's choice for the 2nd out in the 3rd.

I came up in the 4th with one out and Jerry Browne on 2nd. I grounded out to Baerga at 2nd, advancing the runner.
Jerry then scored on a Jason McFarlin single.

Giants lead 1-0

In the 5th, Abbott scored on a wild pitch.
Then Baerga scored on a Mark McGwire single.
Rafael Serra then hit a two run homer.

Reds lead 4-1

With two on and two out in the 6th, Matt brought in Mike Perez.

I came up with two out in the bottom of the 6th and I lined a pitch into left for a double.
I scored on a single by Jason.
Jason scored on a pinch hit double by Shawon Dunston.
Shawon scored on a Mark Lewis single.

Game tied 4-4

Charles Hudson took the ball for us in the 7th.
He gave up a double and an intentional walk but Serra hit into a McFarlin - Grebeck - Lewis TRIPLE PLAY!

I took care of a Shawn Twillie grounder for the 3rd out in the 8th.

I led off the bottom of the 8th by working a walk.
Stolen base #76.
I scored on a pinch hit double by Jesse Barfield.
Jesse ended up scoring on a passed ball.
Pinch hitter Greg Myers scored on a single by Antonio Martinez.

Giants lead 7-4

Jeff Russell came in for the 9th.
The game ended on a line-out double play, Grebeck - Lewis.

We have won TEN in a row!

I went 2 for 3 with a double, a single, a walk, two runs scored, and a stolen base.

To illustrate how bad this season has been, after winning two in a row, we are still dead last in the National League.

[rpriske]

September 26th, 1992

I have a rest day.

The boys managed without me and beat the Reds, 11-9.

We have now won ELEVEN in a row.

[rpriske]

September 27th, 1992

We have seven games left and have won eleven in a row.

It is our last home game.

Today the Reds are pitching Cal Eldred (12-16, 4.12).

The Giants have Al Leiter (4-3, 4.34).

I am hitting third!

I took care of a Mark McGwire grounder for the 3rd out of the game.

I came up in the bottom of the 1st with one out and Jerry Browne on 2nd. I grounded out to Carlos Baerga at 2nd, advancing Jerry.
He did not score.

I caught a Dave Staton liner for the 2nd out in the 4th.

I led off the bottom the 4th by striking out.
I ended up striking out twice that inning, but obviously it went well for us overall.
After I struck out the first time, Jesse Barfield doubled.
Tim Naehring walked.
Mark Lewis walked.
Jason McFarlin walked, scoring Jesse.
Timothy McKercher singled, scoring Tim and Mark.
Al singled, scoring Jason.
Jerry singled, scoring Timothy.
The Reds brought in Stan Clarke to relieve.
Ryan Klesko singled, scoring Al.
I struck out again.
Jesse doubled, scoring Jerry and Ryan.
Tim singled, scoring Jerry.
Mark grounded out.

I am disappointed in my performance, but the team was stellar.

Giants lead 9-0

I caught a Rafael Serra liner for the 1st out in the 6th.

I came up in the bottom of the 6th with Ryan on 1st and none out. I walked.
With one out, Tim singled, scoring Ryan. Tim and I moved up an extra base on the throw.
Todd Worrell relieved and I scored on his wild pitch.
Tim scored on a groundout by Mark.

Giants lead 12-0

We started bring in back-ups in the bottom of the 7th. Bruce Bernadin and Alan Cockrell replaced Jerry and Ryan.
Tom Kramer came in to pitch for us in the 8th. He struck out the side.

I led off the bottom of the 8th by lining a single into short centre.
I was eliminated at 2nd on a fielder's choice by pinch hitter, Troy O'Leary.
Pinch hitter Steve Stanicek ended up scoring on a double by Mark.

Giants lead 13-0

Tom pitched another perfect inning to close things out.

We have now won TWELVE in a row.

Where was this all season?

We are now tied with the Pirates for the worst record in the National League.

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

We left out hometown fans with a big win. Now we halve an off-day before our final six games on the road.

[rpriske]

September 29th, 1992

Heading to Atlanta with a twelve game win streak.

I don't like coming here but hopefully we will get them to drop the chop.

The Braves are pitching Danny Jackson (4-14, 4.52).

The Giants have John Burkett (11-19, 3.37).

I am hitting seventh.

I led off the 2nd by striking out.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Chris Gwynn hit a solo home run.

Braves lead 1-0

I caught a liner by Ken Griffey Jr. for the last out in the 3rd.

I then led off the 4th by grounding out to Tony Diggs at 2nd.

In the 5th, Ruben Sierra hit a two run homer to give us the lead.

Giants lead 2-1

The lead was short lived as Diggs scored on a Ron Gant single in the bottom half.

Game tied 2-2

I led off the 6th by grounding out to Jim Thome at 3rd.

Gant led off the bottom of the 7th with a home run.
With two out, Matt brought in Joe Boever.
He got the 3rd out.

Braves lead 3-2

I came up with two out in the 8th, now facing Carl Willis. I popped out to Boi Rodriguez at short.

I caught a Thome pop for the final out in the 8th.

We couldn't get it back and our winning streak ended.

I was no help, going 0 for 4.