Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

August 27th, 1991

I am getting the day off today.

Well, almost.

I came in as pinch hitter in the 7th for Tim Naehring and then stayed in the game. We were leading, 3-2.

Bryan Hickerson was pitching.

Bryce Bernadin hit a solo shot in the 8th.

Giants lead 4-2

Rod Nichols came in to pitch the bottom of the inning.

I came up in the top of the 9th with Craig Grebeck on 1st and Tim Worrell on the mound. I walked.
We both moved up on a Rick Cerone sac bunt.
Robby Thompson then walked, loading the bases.
We left them that way.

Tom Kramer came in for the 9th.
Bernie Williams led off with a double and Andy Van Slyke followed with a home run, tying the game.

Game tied 4-4, heading to extras.

I came up in the 10th with two out, pinch hitter Rance Mulliniks on 2nd, Craig on 1st, and Jason Bere pitching. I grounded out to Dave Anderson at 2nd.

Mark Ross took the ball for us in the bottom of the 10th.
I caught a Terry Pendelton pop with two out and the bases loaded.

But Luis Gonzalez led off the bottom of the 11th with a home run, giving the Cards the walk-off, 5-4 win.

I went 0 for 2 with a walk.

We are heading home now, to face the Cubs.

[rpriske]

August 28th, 1991

After playing a bunch yesterday despite needing a day off, I have another shot at a day off today.

The Giants are hosting the Cubs.

Once again, though, I was called in. I took over in a double switch after Scott Service struggled in the 6th. Mike Scott took over on the mound and I took over at short.

We were tied 6-6.

I came up in the bottom of the 6th with one out, Fran Mullins on 1st, and Don Strange pitching,
I hit into a double play.

I came up in the bottom of the 8th with one out, Timothy McKercher on 3rd, Rick Cerone on 2nd, Rance Mulliniks on 1st, and Mitch Williams coming in to face me.
I dumped one into right for a two run single!
Luis Medina followed by hitting into a double play.

Giants lead 8-6

Tom Kramer took over for us in the 9th.

We turned a Mullins - Priske - Davis double play to get Brady Anderson and Bret Barberie.
Scott Fletcher grounded out and we had the win.

I went 1 for 2 with a single and two rbi.

[rpriske]

August 29th, 1991

Will I finally get the rest I need?

Cubs vs Giants again.

I came in as a pinch hitter in the 8th and got a single, but I didn't stay in and this was a blow out.

We lost, 12-2.

Now the Cardinals come to town.

[rpriske]

August 30th, 1991

After yesterday's blowout we are trying to get our momentum back against the Cardinals.

St.Louis is pitching Scott Lawrence (5-5, 2.98).

The Giants have John Burkett (10-11, 3.97)

I have had little exposure to Lawrence, going 1 for 6.

But I am hitting clean-up.

I came up in the 1st with two out and Ruben Sierra on 1st. I walked.
We were left on.

I caught a Terry Shumpert pop with the bases loaded for the 1st out in the 2nd.
We managed to leave them loaded.

In the bottom the 2nd, Rance Mulliniks hit a two run homer!

Giants lead 2-0

Bernie Williams doubled Lance Johnson home in the top of the 3rd.
Then Andy Van Slyke doubled Williams home to erase out lead.
It got worse as Luis Gonzalez doubled Van Slyke home with one out.
With two out, Gonzalez scored on a Lawrence single.

Cardinals lead 4-2

I came up with two out in the bottom of the 3rd and flew out to Williams in centre.

I then led off the bottom of the 6th by grounding out to Van Slyke at 1st.

Bryan Hickerson relieved for us in the 7th.

We cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning as Rance scored on a Robby Thompson single.

Cardinals lead 4-3

Rod Nichols took the ball for us in the 8th.

I led off the bottom of the 8th against Tim Worrell. I walked again.
I was thrown out trying to steal 2nd.

Tom Kramer pitched the 9th.

In the bottom of the 9th, Rance scored on a Robby double, tying the game!

I came up in the bottom of the 10th with one out and Jason Bere pitching. I singled into right.
Stolen base #68.
I went to 3rd on a wild pitch.
Rick Cerone walked.
Tom came up - for some reason - and bunted Rick to 2nd.

The strategy there eludes me.

Ryan Klesko grounded out.

Matt may have just cost us the game.

After not pitch hitting for him in the 10th, Tom only faced two batters in the 11th (a walk and a pop out), before Matt pulled him for Mark Ross.

What the hell is going on?

I led off the bottom of the 12th, now facing Terry Leach. I flew out to Williams again.

We turned a Priske - Thompson - Mulliniks double play to end the top of the 13th.

After not pinch hitting for Mark in the 13th, Matt pulled him int he 14th, for Mike Scott.
I don't understand what Matt is doing. Is he not TRYING to win the game?

I took care of a Shumpert grounder for the 3rd out.

I came up in the bottom of the 14th with two out and Ruben on 1st. Another fly to Williams.

In the top of the 16th, Williams and Pendelton scored on a Gonzalez double.

Scott Service took over for us after that.

Cardinals lead 6-4

And that is how it ended.

I am hopping mad.

I have never been Matt's biggest fan but this was terrible.

I went 1 for 5 with a single, two walks, and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

August 31st, 1991

I have lost what respect I had for Matt Carroll.

He is under contract for one more year.

We have a poor Manager and an Inexperienced Hitting Coach.

Jayden Canady has a great rep as a G.M., but this is a situation that needs to change.

After yesterday's terrible game, we have the Cards again.

The Cardinals are pitching Pedro Martinez (11-10, 3.75).

The Giants have Frank Viola (12-7, 3.46).

I have gone only 2 for 11 against Martinez, but one of those hits was a homer.

I am hitting third.

I came up in the bottom of the 1st with Robby Thompson on 3rd and Harold Baines on 1st. I walked, loading the bases.
Then Alvin Davis walked, scoring Robby.
Bryce Bernadin singled, scoring Harold.
I scored on a Timothy McKercher groundout.
Alvin scored on a Tim Naehring sac fly.

Giants lead 4-0

This could be bad news for St. Louis. The frustration over yesterday's managerial decisions may have lit a fire under us.

In the 2nd, Vince Coleman scored on a Tom Pagnozzi groundout.
I took care of a Jose Valentin grounder for the 3rd out.

Giants lead 4-1

I came up with two out in the bottom of the 2nd and grounded out to Derek Henderson at 3rd.

In the 4th, Pagnozzi and Terry Shumpert scored on a Valentin triple.
Valentin scored on a Martinez single.
Henderson and Martinez scored on a Lance Johnson single.

That was it for Frank. Matt brought in Rod Nichols.

Cardinals lead 6-4

Luis Medina led off the bottom of the 4th with a home run.

I came up with two out and Harold on 1st. I singled to centre with Harold moving to 3rd.
Stolen base #69.
We were stranded ins coring position.

Cardinals lead 6-5

In the 5th, Andy Van Slyke and Coleman scored on a Shumpert single.

Cardinals lead 8-5

I came up in the 6th with two out and Steve Dreyer pitching. I grounded out to Van Slyke at 1st.

With two men on and one out in the 8th, Matt brought in Bryan Hickerson.

Johnson, Bernie Williams, and Van Slyke all scored on a Coleman double.
Coleman scored on a Shumpert single.
I made a great play on a Valentin grounder for the 3rd out.

Cardinals lead 12-5

Matt left Hickerson in to bat in the 8th.

He isn't even trying to win games anymore.

My question now is, should I ask for a trade in the offseason?

Oh, and Hickerson is exhausted, by the way. He should be out of the game even just for pitching reasons.

Two batters into the 9th without getting an out, Matt pulled Bryan for Mike Scott.

Incompetence?

Pinch hitter Roberto Partida scored on a Johnson sac fly.
Williams hit a two run homer.
I dealt with a Van Slyke grounder for the 2nd out.

Cardinals lead 15-5

I led off the bottom of the 9th against Terry Leach. I struck out.

Big shock. We lost.

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

We got a batch of September Call-Ups after the game.

Joining or re-joining us are:
Joe Boever
Heathcliff Slocumb
Pat Combs
Jeff Mutis
Al Leiter
Bobby Thigpen
Bret Lachemann
Alan Cockrell
Steve Stanicek
Tim Criswell
Greg Myers
Jessie Reid
Scott Bradley
Deron McCue

Crowded clubhouse.

[rpriske]

September 1st, 1991

After yesterday's disgrace, today the Cardinals are throwing Greg Harris (7-12, 2.87), at us.

The Giants are answering with Bruce Ruffin (11-9, 3.92).

I have gone only 2 for 16 against Harris.

I am hitting third.

I came up in the bottom of the 1st with one out and Ruben Sierra on 1st. Ruben went to 3rd as I dropped one into right field for a single.
Alvin Davis followed by hitting into. double play.

In the top of the 2nd, Harris hit a two run single, giving the Cards the lead.
Then Jose Valentin scored on a passed ball by Rick Cerone.

Cardinals lead 3-0

In the 3rd, Robby Thompson hit a two out solo homer to put us on the board.
I came up with two out and Ruben on 1st again. This time I doubled to centre. Ruben went to 3rd.
Alvin grounded out, stranding us.

Cardinals lead 3-1

I took care of a Tom Pagnozzi grounder for the 3rd out in the 6th.

I then led off the bottom half by taking a walk.
Stolen base #70.
Then Alvin walked.
With one out, we both scored on a Bryce Bernadin double, tying the game!

Game tied 3-3

That was short lived as Terry Shumpert hit a two, two run triple in the top of the 7th.

Matt brought in Jeff Mutis after that.
He got the 3rd out, but...

Cardinals lead 5-3

I came up with two out in the bottom of the 7th, now facing Terry Gilmore. I hit my third single of the night, once again to right field.
Stolen base #71.
I scored on a double by Alvin.

Cardinals lead 5-4

Thing got worse in the 8th, as the Cards 4th strait baserunner two lead off the inning was a two run double by Derek Henderson.
Three batters later, Bernie Williams hit a one out Grand Slam.

Matt brought in Bret Lachemann after that.

Cardinals lead 11-4

With one out in the 9th, Matt brought in Bobby Thigpen.
Three batters alter, Oddibe McDowell hit an RBI single, still with only the one out.
I took care of a Ruben Amaro grounder to end the inning.

Cardinals lead 12-4

I came up in the bottom of the 9th with two out, Robby on 1st, and Randy Hennis pitching. I walked.
Robby scored and I went to 3rd on a double by Alvin. I probably could have scored but behind by this much, there was no reason to risk it.
Timothy McKercher walked to load the bases.
But that is how we left it.

We lost, 12-5

I went 3 for 3 with three singles, two walks, two runs scored, and two stolen bases.

But we got slaughtered. Again.

Now we wait for the Pirates to come to town.

[rpriske]

September 2nd, 1991

The Pirates are here and they are bringing Clay Parker (8-5, 3.98).

The Giants are going with Don Robinson (5-6, 3.90).

I have gone only 1 for 6 against Parker. I am hitting sixth.

I handled a Ken Shamburg grounder for the 3rd out in the top of the 2nd.

I then came up with one out in the bottom of the 2nd and grounded out to Shamburg at 3rd.

In the top of the 3rd, Bip Roberts hit a solo home run with two out.

Pirates lead 1-0

We evened it up when Tim Naehring led off the bottom of the inning with a downtowner of his own.

Game tied 1-1

I took care of a John Valentin grounder for the 2nd out in the 4th.

I came up in the bottom of the 4th with two out and Alvin Davis on 2nd. I reached on an infield single, sending Alvin to 3rd.
We were left there.

With two on and one out in the 6th, Matt brought in Al Leiter.
He got the 2nd out but then gave up a three-run homer to Sid Bream.

Pirates lead 4-1

I led off the bottom of the 7th by reaching on an error by Dean Palmer at 1st.
I moved up a base on a sac bunt by Ryan Klesko.
I am not sure how wise that was, but I have been questioning lots of Matt's moves lately.
I got to 3rd on a groundout by Tim.
I was left there.

Heathcliff Slocumb took the ball for us in the 8th.

In the 9th, Pete Rice scored on a Bill Haselman double.
With two on and two out, Matt switched to Jeff Mutis.
He got the 3rd out.

Pirates lead 5-1

I led off the bottom of the 9th facing Doug Jones. I singled to left.
With two out, pinch hitter Rance Mulliniks walked.
I scored on a Robby Thompson double.
Rance scored on a Harold Baines single.
Robby and Harold scored on a single by Alvin.

We forced extras!

Game tied 5-5!

Bobby Thigpen took the ball for us in the 10th.

I led off the bottom of the 10th against Mel Rojas. I walked.
Stolen base #72.
I went to 3rd on another sac bunt by Ryan. (THIS time, I totally get it!)
But a shallow fly and a strikeout later and I was left on 3rd.

Joe Boever took over for us in the 11th.

The pIrates took he lead when Chris Butterfield scored on a Dave Nilsson single.

Pirates lead 6-5

I came up in the bottom of the 11th with one out and Alvin on 1st. Bill Krueger was pitching. I walked.
We both moved up on a wild pitch.
After that they intentionally walked pinch hitter Luis Medina.
But we couldn't score and lost another one.

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles, two walks, a reached-on-error, one run scored, and a stolen base.

[rpriske]

September 3rd, 1991

I have the day off.

At least to start.

I ended up pinch running at one point, but to no great effect.

We lost, 6-4.

We have lost six in a row.

[rpriske]

September 4th, 1991

We are trying to end a six game losing streak.

The Pirates are pitching Doug Harris (4-12, 5.02).

The Giants have John Burkett (10-11, 4.04).

I have little experience with Harris, but what I have is good. I have gone 2 for 3 against him.

I am hitting sixth.

I came up with one out in the bottom of the 2nd and grounded out to Craig White at 2nd.

I returned the favour, snagging a White liner for the 1st out in the 3rd.

We opened the scoring int he 3rd when - of all people - out pitcher, John hit a solo home run!

Giants lead 1-0

The Bucs got it back in the 4th when Willie McGee scored on a Sid Bream sac fly.

Game tied 1-1

I led off the bottom of the 5th by looping one to left centre for a single.
Stolen base #73.
With one out, stolen base #74.
I scored on a Tim Naehring double.

A few batters later, Harold Baines hit a three run homer.

Giants lead 5-1

I came up next in the 6th, with one out, Rick Cerone on 1st, and Chris Nichting on the mound. I flew out to Bip Roberts in centre.

We got another in the 7th when Harold crossed on an Alvin Davis single.

Giants lead 6-1

Withe on on and two out int he top of the eighth, Matt brought in Mike Scott.
I caught Dave Nilsson's towering pop to end the frame.

I then led off the bottom of the 8th, now facing Sam August. I fouled out to Nilsson.

In the 9th I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get John Valentin and Lee Stevens.
One more out and we had broken the losing streak.

I went 1 for 4 with a single, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

Tomorrow is a travel day as we head to Chicago.

[rpriske]

September 6th, 1991

We are in Chicago and the Cubs are pitching Dennis Rasmussen (12-11, 4.02).

The Giants are going with Frank Viola (12-8, 3.66).

I have gone 4 for 12 against Rasmussen, and I am hitting clean up!

I came up in the top of the 1st with two out and Robby Thompson on 1st. I was hit by a change-up in.
Robby scored and I went to 2nd on an Alvin Davis single.
We were left on.

Giants lead 1-0

We got another in the 2nd when Ryan Klesko crossed on a Harold Baines single.

Giants lead 2-0

I caught a Brady Anderson pop for the 1st out in the bottom of the 1st.

I came up with one out in the 3rd and flew out to Anderson in left.

The Cubs got on the board in the 3rd when Rasmussen scored on a Travis Freeman sac fly.
Then Otis Nixon scored on a Chris Hoiles single.
Paul O'Neill scored on a Jeff King groundout.
Hoiles scored on a Bret Barberie double.
Barberie scored on a Tim Barker single.

That was enough for Matt as he replaced Frank with Mike Scott.

He got out of the inning.

Cubs lead 5-2

In the 4th, Brian Jordan hit a three-run homer.

Matt went to Jeff Mutis after that.

Cubs lead 8-2

I led off the 6th by grounding out to Barberie at 2nd.

In the bottom half, Fryman scored on a Hoiles double.
Hoiles scored on a Barker single.

Cubs lead 10-2

Jessie Reid led off the 7th with a pinch hit home run.

Cubs lead 10-3

Rod Nichols took the ball for us in the bottom of the 7th.

I led off the 8th by taking a walk.
I scored on a two out triple by Craig Grebeck.

Cubs lead 10-4

Barberie hit a one out homer in the bottom of the 8th.
Then Barker scored on a pinch hit double by Greg Brock.
Brock scored on a pinch hit single by Keith Miller.
Two batters later, Fryman hit a three-run homer.

Matt brought in Bret Lachemann after that.

I took care of a Hoiles grounder to end the inning.

Cubs lead 16-4

I came up in the 9th with two out, Luis Medina on 2nd, Ruben Sierra on 1st, and Delvy Santiago pitching.
I flew out to Miller in left.

Woof. This one was ugly.

I went 0 for 3 with a hit-by-pitch, a walk, and a run scored.

[rpriske]

September 7th, 1991

After yesterday's disaster, we face the Cubs again.

They are pitching Mark Portugal (13-9, 4.07).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (11-10, 3.98).

The Cubs traded for Portugal from the Twins in July, so I have never faced him.

I am hitting sixth.

The Cubs picked right up where they left off, as Otis Nixon scored on a Chris Hoiles sac fly in the bottom of the 1st.

Cubs lead 1-0

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

Two batters later, though, Tim Naehring hit a two run dinger to give us the lead!

Giants lead 2-1

I came up next with one out in the top of the 4th and I flew out to Nixon in centre.

We ended the bottom of the 5th with a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to get Travis Fryman and Hoiles.

I came up with two out in the 6th and grounded out to Fryman at 3rd.

We then ended the 6th with a Thompson - Priske - Davis double play to get Bret Barberie and Tim Barker.

With one out and a man on in the 7th, Matt brought in Joe Boever.

I came up with one out in the 9th, now facing ex-teammate, Dennis Eckersley. I walked.
Stolen base #75.
I was left there.

Bobby Thigpen came in for the save situation and he got it done.

We lost the blow out but won the tight one.

I went 0 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.

After the game we got word that the team was calling up Max Venable.

[rpriske]

September 8th, 1991

We are finishing up at Wrigley today.

The Cubs are pitching Greg Maddux (15-10, 2.50).

The Giants have Don Robinson (5-6, 3.95).

I have gone 12 for 40 (or .300), with a home run off Maddux.

I am hitting sixth.

I came up with one out in the 2nd and dropped a Maddux fastball into short centre for a single.
Ryan Klesko then hit into a double play.

I handled a Chris Hoiles grounder for the 1st out int he bottom half.

Tim Naehring led off the 3rd with a home run and then Robby Thompson hit a solo shot with one out.

Giants lead 2-0

I came up with two out in the 4th and grounded out to Tim Barker at short.

I took care of a Paul O'Neill grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the inning.
Then I took are of Hoiles again for the 3rd out.

It started raining in the 5th.

I came up in the 7th with one out and Rick Cerone on 2nd. It was Wayne Edwards pitching.
During my at bat, Rick went to 3rd on a wild pitch. Then I walked.
Rick tried to score on a sac fly by Ryan but was thrown out at home.

The rain stopped in the 8th.

With one out and two on in the bottom of the 8th, Matt brought in Bobby Thigpen.
He got out of it.

I came up in the 9th with two out, Alvin Davis on 1st, and Mitch Williams pitching. I singled into centre with Alvin going to 2nd.
We were left on.

Three fly balls later, we had the shutout.

I went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and a walk.

Now we head to Atlanta.

[rpriske]

September 9th, 1991

We are in Atlanta for a quick, two game set.

The less time spent here, the better, as far as I am concerned.

The Braves are pitching Tom Glavine (9-15, 3.13).

The Giants are going with John Burkett (11-11, 3.92).

I have gone 21 for 67, or .313. with a home run off Glavine.

I am hitting seventh, for some reason.

I caught a Jeff Bagwell pop for the 1st out in the bottom of the 1st.

In the 2nd, Tim Naehring scored on a Rick Cerone double.
I then came up with one out and Rick on 2nd. I popped out to Jim Thome at short.

Giants lead 1-0

In the 3rd, Harold Baines hit a two run homer.

Giants lead 3-0

I took care of a Glavine grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 3rd.

I came up in the 4th with Rick standing on 1st. I flew out to Jerome Walton in centre.

The Braves got on the board in the 5th when Thome crossed on a Glavine single.
Then Terry Kennedy scored on a Gary Sheffield sac fly.
Walton scored on a Ron Gant single, to tie the game.
I handled an Andre Dawson grounder to end the threat.

Game tied 3-3

I came up with two out in the 6th and singled to right.
Stolen base #76.
I was left at 2nd.

The Braves took the lead in the 7th when Bagwell crossed on a Gant single.
Matt brought in Joe Boever after that.

Sheffield scored on a wild pitch before I could take care of a Dawson grounder to end it.

Braves lead 5-3

I came up in the 8th with two out, Rick on 1st, and Steve Farr pitching. I walked.
Rick and I were both left on.

We also did not score in the 9th and lost the game.

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

[rpriske]

September 10th, 1991

With 25 games left we are 64-73, 17 games behind the Reds.

We are even 7.5 games behind the Dodgers for 4th place in the division. We are closer to last as the Padres trail us by 4.5 games.

This season has been awful.

Easily the worst since I have been here. The last time the Giants finished below .500 was 1985 - the year before I arrived.

Since I have been here we have made the postseason twice and won the World Series in 1989.

Today we are playing the Braves.

They are pitching Oscar Munoz (4-0, 2.66).

We have Rick Sutcliffe (6-11, 4.74).

I have yet to get a hit against Munoz, going 0 for 6.

I am hitting fifth.

I came up in the 1st with two out, Robby Thompson on 3rd, and Alvin Davis on 1st. I walked, loading the bases.
Timothy McKercher singled, scoring Robby, but Alvin was throw out also trying to score.

Giants lead 1-0

The lead was short lived as Jeff Bagwell hit a solo shot tint he bottom of the 1st.
I took care of a Carlton Fisk grounder for the 3rd out.

Game tied 1-1

Then, in the 3rd, Ruben Sierra hit a two run homer!
I came up with two out and walked again.
Stolen base #77.
Timothy followed with a home run of his own!

Giants lead 5-1

I came up next in the 5th with two out and Narciso Elvira pitching. I flew out to Ken Griffey Jr. in centre.

In the bottom of the inning, Ron Gant scored on an Andre Dawson single.

Giants lead 5-2

In the 7th, Ruben homered again! This one was a solo blast.
I came up with two out, Alvin on 1st and Norm Charlton pitching. I dropped one into centre for a single, moving Alvin to 2nd.
We were left on.

Giants lead 6-2

I handled a grounder by pinch hitter Joey Cora for the 1st out int he bottom of the 7th.

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

I came up in the 9th with two out and Alvin on 1st. Bobby Ayala was the pitcher. I grounded out to Gary Sheffield at 3rd.

I took care of a Fisk grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 9th.

We picked up a sorely needed win.

I went 1 for 3 with a single, two walks, a run scored, and a stolen base.

Now we head to Cincinnati for another two game series.

[rpriske]

September 11th, 1991

We are in Cincinnati to take on the Reds.

They are pitching Jack Armstrong (13-6, 3.03).

The Giants have Frank Viola (12-9, 3.83).

I have gone 6 for 27, or .222, against Armstrong.

I am hitting sixth.

We opened the scoring in the top of the 1st when Robby Thompson crossed on an Alvin David single.
Then Harold Baines scored on a Rick Cerone single.

I came up with one out, Alvin on 2nd and Rick on 3rd and hit into a fielder's choice, erasing Rick.
Alvin and I were left on.

Giants lead 2-0

The Reds struck back int eh 2nd when Dave Staton scored on a Victor Perez single.

Giants lead 2-1

Harold led off the 3rd with a home run.
Ruben Sierra then made if back-to-back jacks.

I came up with two out and took a walk.
Stolen base #78.
I was left at 2nd.

Giants lead 4-1

Mark McGwire led off the bottom of the 3rd with a home run as well.
A few batters later, Perez hit a three-run dinger to give the Reds the lead.

I took care of an Armstrong grounder for the 3rd out.

Reds lead 5-4

Jeff Mutis took the ball for us in the 4th.

We tied it back up in the 5th when Ruben scored on a sac fly by Rick.

They brought Joe Turek in to face me when I came up with two out and Alvin on 1st. I grounded out to Carlos Baerga at 2nd.

Game tied 5-5

I handled a grounder by pinch hitter Eric Davis for the 1st out in the bottom of the 6th.
But then Mariano Duncan homered.

Reds lead 6-5

We tied it back up in the 7th when Ruben scored on a double by pinch hitter Bryce Bernadin.
I then came up with two out and Bryce on 2nd. I grounded out to Baerga again.

Game tied 6-6

Joe Boever took over for us in the 7th, with Alan Cockrell also taking over behind the dish.
But Matt Nokes led off the bottom of the 7th with a pinch hit home run.

I took care of a Baerga grounder for the 3rd out.

Reds lead 7-6

So what happened in the top of the 8th? Ryan Klesko led off with a home run to tie it back up!

Game tied 7-7

Scott Service took the ball for us after that.

He pitched one inning and then Bobby Thigpen came in for the bottom of the 9th.
But with one out and two on, Bobby had to leave the game with pain in his thumb.
(We found out later that it wasn't too serious).
Bryan Hickerson was pressed into duty.
I started a Priske - Thompson - Davis double play to send us to extras.

I led off the 10th against Jay Howell. I flew out to Shawn Twillie in centre.

In the bottom of the inning we turned a Thompson - Priske - Davis double play to end it.

I took care of a John Bryant grounder for the 1st out in the bottom of the 11th.

I came up in the 12th with two out, pinch hitter Luis Medina on 1st, and Greg Cadaret pitching. I fouled out to Staton.

Pat Combs took over for us after that.

I came up next in the 15th with one out and Chuck Cary pitching. I grounded out to Duncan at short.

Mike Scott was next to the mound for us.

In ended in the 15th. Twillie singled, stole 2nd and was bunted over to 3rd before scoring on a Bryant sac fly.

Reds won 8-7

I went 0 for 6 with a walk and a stolen base. Ugh.

[rpriske]

September 12th, 1991

We are trying to salvage a split in Cincinnati.

The Reds are pitching Kirk McCaskill (8-9, 5.28).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (12-10, 3.89).

I have done well against McCaskill, but in limited chances, going 2 for 4.

I am hitting third!

I came up with two out in the 1st and struck out.

In the 2nd, Bryce Bernadine hit a solo homer.

Giants lead 1-0

I came up with two out in the 3rd and flew out to Tom Brunansky in right.

Next came up with one out in the 6th and grounded out to Carlos Baerga at 2nd.

I took care of a Dave Staton grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 6th.

With two out in the 8th, Robby Thompson launched a home run.

Giants lead 2-0

I handled a grounder by pinch hitter John Bryant for the 1st out in the bottom of the 8th.

Matt brought in Heathcliff Slocumb for us after that.

I led off the 9th against Jay Howell. I walked.
Stolen base #79
They intentionally walked Alvin Davis.
Rick Cerone hit into a double play. I went to 3rd.
I was left there.

Bobby Thigpen came in for the 9th.
Three batters later, we had the shut out.

I went 0 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.

Now we head home to face the Padres.

[rpriske]

random crash.

These have happened more in the last month of OOTP24 than the rest of the year combined.

Good time to switch to OOTP25.