The Sacramento Bee from Sacramento, California • 27

Tb Sacramento Bee Final Thursday June 22 1995 D3 Baseball Giants box GIANTS UPDATE Giants 6 Pirates 5 Giants: hustle vital he drives in winning run Continued from page D1 this is a sign of good I Smith has bad labels galore grounded out lor Greer et the 7th tangled tor Johnson the 9tn c-struck out tor White the Sth 10B-Giants9 Pittsburgh!) 2B-Thompson(B)Carreon(3 Lampkin (1) Merced (10) Garca (3) HH-Brumfield (1) dll Beck Parem (9) oil VanLandingham Carreon (6) otf Pams S8-Hi (12) CS-Lewe(5) S-Lews Youna Dyer no squeezing-type dude but the situation presented itself Why on the third pitch? You i do it as you see fit 59 i Dusty Baker one run surprised to be used right away because I knew the bullpen was said Greer who took a red-eye flight to Pittsburgh pitched in four days I was out of two-out walk his stolen base and Royce runscoring single pulled the Giants within 4-3 in the sixth Shawn Barton kept it that -way with a scoreless inning After Thompson and Bonds struck out in the eighth double and run-scoring single created the tie and set the stage for the dramatic ninth no squeezing-type dude but the situation presented Baker said of his unconventional strategy on the third pitch? You do it as you see fit a big win You want to get swept and you knew everyone else in the division won prior' to our game being finished We want to lose -s The Giants remained one-half game behind the Colorado Rockies when Rod Beck survived Japob leadoff homer in the bottom of the ninth to register his 12th save i By Eric Noland -t Los Angeles Daily News ANAHEIM Throughout his 15-year journey in the major leagues and at each of his innumerable rest stops along the way Lee Smith has been one misread misunderstood mis-evaluated re-lief pitcher A slug who is best defined by his languid Sunday-at-the-mall stroll from the bullpen? A mercenary on the mound who never seems over- ly thrilled with the successes nor terribly remorseful about the fail- A power pitcher with a heavy body and casual workout regimen a certain recipe for a 'Crash in performance at any in- stant? These have been some of the characterizations of the man over the years All it turns out mistaken i i Smith is an example of how sur-- face perceptions can sometimes be deceiving He has ridden that deception to a runaway major-league record for career saves and is considered the primary reason for the surprising resurgence this season I appreciate is that he has done it in a classy Dodgers closer Todd Worrell a former teammate of at St Louis said of the accomplishments got a great character about him everyone might not like his mannerisms about you know how lethargic he looks how laid-back he is But hey the man he is and he pretend to be something In fact the traits that have caused brows to furrow during career may be central to his abundant success: the conser- vation of energy an unflappable "outlook and a keen understand- ing of exactly what he must do to be successful The Big Easy? i Big deal I yeah you hear things about a work ethic and what you Smith said in the i clubhouse last week have i to let everybody in the world know what I do to get myself in shape When I go between the lines and do the job all that no disputing that Smith has discharged that job peerlessly He has 452 saves which is nearly 100 ahead of the No 2 man on the all-time list Jeff Reardon (367) -'and nearly 150 ahead of his clos-est active challenger the Dennis Eckersley (304) jBarely two months into this Smith has been called on 'ip 18 consecutive save situations converted every one of them for a major-league record probably no coincidence that I the Angels have in turn been the surprise of baseball spending 35 -days in first place i talk about additions to this said designated hitter Chili Davis no bigger ad-I I dition than Lee Smith saved everything that could be saved for this team this particularly impressive that Smith is having such a profound impact on the Angels at a time when his 38th birthday is just six months away Short relief has played havoc with countless pitchers over the 30 years of its heyday (The save has been kept as an official statistic since 1969) Many arms have simply blown out under the rigors of the duty -from Bruce Sutter to Bryan Harvey Other pitchers have been subject more to a flameout Bobby Thigpen set single-season record with 57 saves for the White Sox in 1990 A scant three years later his output was down to one save and today he find work in the majors Still others have been ripped apart mentally by the strain of constantly working in clifihanging situations Until this week two lockers down from Smith sat Mitch Williams who never recovered from giving up the home run to Joe Carter that knocked Philadelphia out of the 1993 World Series Maybe now a method can be discerned in approach Somehow in an exacting job been able to maintain sound physical and mental health and achieve unprecedented longevity Throughout his career Smith has gone home to Castor La in the winter and done very little throwing and no running not one of those guys who can just get out and run on the said Smith one thing tried to stay away from I weigh 260 pounds and running gives you such a pounding on the knees the ankles and the back done in the offseason over the last few years I swim a lot I thought that helped a lot especially with the cardiovascular system flexibility things like that I read up a lot on this before I did it I thank God I was smart enough to put this into He also has a considerable passion for basketball and built a gymnasium in Castor for his use and the young people Playing 3-on-3 can be infinitely more satisfying than pounding around a track or pretending climbing stairs but even in this endeavor Smith was careful: He made certain the builder used optimal cushioning beneath the floorboards As for his demeanor on the mound rock-steady keel may be one of his strongest assets sign of a good relief said former Giants manager Roger Craig you worry about yesterday You throw a good pitch and someone hits it for a home run The next night you throw a terrible pitch and they hit into a double play You have to forget about what happened yesterday Guys who have that attitude make the best relief pitchers going to come back tomorrow and give it my best Dusty Baker Trying to play down series with Dodgers LA series pivotal Manager Dusty Baker attach any special significance to the four-game series with the Dodgers beginning tonight in Los Angeles because it's against a traditional rival Still it represents a return to intra-division play for the first time since May 11 Dodgers are important because we play division games as much" Baker said night was a perfect example Everybody lost so you stay in the same position whenever you play within your own division someone gains and someone loses so there's movement But the Dodgers make the series special feel the same if we were playing Colorado or San Et cetera Baker bit his tongue when asked about Tom critical comments regarding the New York signing of Darryl Strawberry not the Baker said of the manager can't be a judge unless you have a robe on" Steve Scarsone batting 421 in 17 starts was out of the lineup for the second game in a row nursing an abdominal strain no cinch for tonight either Although general manager Bob Quinn indicated the Giants had no financial obligation to Strawberry in 1995 club owner Peter Magowan conceded the team is paying approximately $1 25000 of his pro-rated $850000 contract with the Yankees Baker apparently changed his mind about starting rookie Chris Hook in Trevor spot Saturday in Los Angeles With two off days next week Baker is leaning toward bringing back Mark Leiter and William VanLandingham on three rest Terry Mulholland who had bone chips removed from his pitching elbow two weeks ago was cleared to begin a rehabilitation assignment Friday night at Triple-A Phoenix against Edmonton Joe Rosselli (shoulder inflammation) made a successful rehabilitation start Wednesday at Tacoma yielding two hits in seven innings during a 5-1 victory On deck Record: 28-25 second place one-half game behind Record at this time last year: 25-28 second place four games behind Upcoming: Today at Los Angeles Jose Bautista (2-3) vs Ramon Martinez (7-4) 7:05 pm Friday at Los Angeles Mark Portugal (5-1) vs Ismael Vald6s (4-2) 7:05 pm Saturday at Los Angeles Mark Leiter (3-4) or Chris Hook (2-0) vs Hideo Nomo (4-1) 7:05 pm Nick Peters Piratea First: Brumfield angled to center Martin grounded to second Brumfield to second Bel struck oul Merced intentionally walked Parent hit three-run homer to right Johnson grounded to first Pirates 1 Giants 0 Giants Second: Carreon homered down the left-field line Hd struck oul Clayton walked Benjamin grounded to short Clayton to second Martwanm died to nghl Piratea 3 Glantal Giants Fourth: Carreon lit by pitch Hi singled to short Carreon to second On Pams' wild pitch Carreon to third HU to second Clayton grounded into fielder choice short to third Carreon scored HI oul On Pams wild pitch Clayton to second Benjamet struck out Dyer relieved Pams with 2-2 count on Manwanng Man-wanng struck out Pirates 3 Giants 2 Pirates Fourth: Greer pitching Young singled to center Garoa popped to thirl Dyer singled to second Young to second Brumfield singled down the left-held ra Young scored Dyer to second Martin walked Dyer to thirl Brumfield to second Bel lied to right Merced grounded to second Pirates 4 Giants 1 Giants Sixth: Bonds grounded to second Carreon grounded to third HI walked Hit stole second Clayton singled to center HI scored and on throw home Clayton to second Benami grounded to pitcher Pirates 4 Giants 3 Giants Eighth: Thompson struck out Chnstansen relieved Dyer Bonds struck out Carreon doubled down the nght-field kne HI singled to left Carreon scored Giants 4 Pirates I Giants Ninth: McCurry pitching Lampkm doubled down the left-field line lewis sacrificed Lampkm to (turd Thompson doubled to right-canter lampkin scored Bonds intentionally walked Carreon walked Thompson to third Bonds to second Hill grounded into fietder's'choice short to second Thompson scored Bonds to thirl Carreon forced Giants 6 Pirates 4 Pirates Ninth: Beck pitching Brumfield homered to center Giants 8 Pirates times the struggling Thompson said since the Roger Craig days aware of that situation whenever a guy gets to Thompson alertly took second for a bunt double and Barry Bonds was walked intentionally Mark Carreon who earlier homered and doubled also walked loading the bases Glenallen Hill then made a major contribution by beating out a potential inning-ending doubleplay grounder scoring Thompson with the extra run the Giants would require always got to Hill said after beating second baseman Carlos relay needed that because I missed a home-run pitch on the same Baker was delighted over winning his battle of wits with Pirates manager Jim Leyland an acknowledged master Baker had used some early strategy that backfired With a runner on second and two out in the first he had William VanLandingham intentionally walk Orlando Merced to face Mark Parent whose ninth homer created a 3-0 Pirates lead bugged me the whole Baker said did it because Merced is their best hitter with runners in scoring position and Parent was hitting 180 in those situations that ball went over the wall I wondered what else could happen But when the bullpen came through with some zeroes I figured we had a chance to Newcomer Kenny Greer whose previous major-league experience was one inning and one victoiy for the New York Mets in 1993 provided immediate help for the Giants with three innings yielding Lassie Come Home Dueler HT 60000 mlla A stellar on-and off-road tire for 4-wheel drive light trucks and RVSBndgestooeX dif Test Dmr Pmths jouiincondi-tout srafacfioA Orta our km for up to dajrsu llmt myflwij you dbnTSte about fte An return therj toritot imcomfttonal rTItTo1 refund No guHtkmt WITH As seen with Racial luxury performance FREE Forecasting With purchase OaHified 321-1234 ft rt no i Update return suits them fine The first indication that something was up Wednesday were the half-dozen television trucks microwave dishes and all parked in the Oakland Coliseum lot There was a certain buzz at the Coliseum and it all centered around the possible return of the Raiders EHER3V lamp RADIAL on TV the Energy XSETechnology makes the leading touring tire even betted Oregon Scientific Weather Station $150 value! ot 4 tires EVDCSDaEIUlH MCAUM SO MUCH IS RICH NO ON YOUR sSssss ij Gas Struts Sport Utility Truck 95 ea 23 Per pair installed most can i WKh this coupon oil I Iflcl Hi At iai Servics includes up to 5 qls ol jow motor oil oil filler additional cost for multi-grada otto FREE lira rotation upon request BLACKWALLSteel Redlel PERFORMANCE TIRE said all ran onto the field and were yelling in Don face I was a huge Raiders fan" Manager Tony La Russa and general manager Sandy Alderson declined to comment be tough if they came back to Henderson said were Pretty Boy Floyd in Rotation bump Mike turn will be skipped in Friday's series opener in Texas marking the first time a starter has completely missed his turn in the rotation Dave Stewart will go Friday on his normal four days' rest as will the other three starters The move is made possible because of an off day today On deck Record: 28-24 third place 312 games behind Record at this time last season: 16-36 fourth place eight games behind Attendance (25 dates): 408169 Attendance at this time last season (25 dates): 507182 Upcoming: Today off Friday at Texas Dave Stewart (3-5) vs Kenny Rogers (7-3) 5:35 pm Saturday at Texas Ron Darling (2-3) vs Roger Pavlik (4-2) 5:35 pm Pedro Gomez 18560HR14 19560HR14 19560HR15 20560HR15 19565HR15 20565HR15 40 $4795 I PIMM B4MaAB4S8UPfRW fyTr P1MMW19 40000 M000 P1957SR14 28 OS 35 95 P2057SRU 29 95 36 95 P2067SR15 33 95 40 96 DUNLOP 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 f4 4 44 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 9 4 4 4 4 4 0 D40M2 WORKS LIKE UQUIO I AIL MARINOS" I'Avallnble moet stores With this ewjxyJ 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CONOfTiONS PRICE QUARANTEE-WE WILL REFUND OOUBLI THE DIFFERENCE if WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE YOU PRESENT A PRINTED LOCAL NEWSR' PER ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE IDENTICAL TIRE(S) EXPRESS SERVICE-AVAILABLE ON AN APPOINTMENT BASIS QUARANTEEO TO BEGIN WORK WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF OROER SIGNING OR IS REFUNO PER TIRE P2157SR1S 33 95 4095 P23575R15 36 95 42 95 22550ZR16 125 95 Trail Mark ET may apply STAR TRUCK VAN 95 ms Mark Busier P20S7SR14 VS APR P23575R15B 5495 7195 30X950R15 6795 8895 31X1050R15 7295 9395 IT23585R16E 8295 9495 875R165 83 95 95 95 8R195FLSR 14095 Star Merit Ultra 40000 50000 46 95 56 95 48 95 58 95 5195 6195 59 95 69 95 60 95 70 95 000 mile muuESTun 80O-B99-2878 MOST MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTEO STORE HOURS I MON-FRI SAM-SPM THURS SAM-er-M SAT SAM-SPM SUN BAM-4PM 12)04 mma'mVmm BRIDGESTONE AUTOPASS CARO ALSO ACCSPTKO mywi Otohcee Two A's players each raised in the Bay Area were excited about the Raiders possibly moving back from Los Angeles want them back real bad" said Rickey Henderson who at- tended countless games while growing up In Oakland they say we're back' I'll be the first one to buy four or five season tickets The last two times I told everyone they were coming back and they pulled the okey-dokey on me This time I'm not saying anything" Of course it still known If the Raiders are coming back But Dennis Eckersley raised in Fremont recalled the famous 1974 playoff game against Miami when Ken Stabler threw a touch- down pass in the final minute to beat the Dolphins was partying out" Eckersley FAMILY OWNED A OPERATED WE WANT TO PLEASE YOUI FOR ASSISTANCE CALL 2EHZ2Z22C DAVIS 756-0256 DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO 1200 1 Street 442-3811 downtown comer 12th A I Street ELK GROVE 685-4281 SACRAMENTO 1956 Fulton Ave 483-6167 across Iron) Target on Fuhon Ave Prices expire 7495 toil change not available No dealers No other docounn apply CITRUS HEIGHTS 8180 Auburn Bhrd 725-7337 1 trik wasl ol Greenback ROSEVIILEROC KUN 774-0228 CARMICHAELt 6542 Fair Oaks Blvd 483-9244 12 bSi north Marconi Ave RANCHO CORDOVA 10321 Folsom Blvd 368-9468 12 blk eail ol Mather Field Rd In Mills Shopping Canter NORTH HIGHLANDS 5647 Walt Ave 332-4492 north ol West Gala lor McClellan Air Baaa WE RE GROWiNGI Accepting applications lor Managers Mechanic 8 Tire Technicians Call 800-999-287B 4 Saves: 12 (Beck 12) OVER 130 LOCATIONS ON THE WEST COAST TO SERVE YOU BC t-.