Opening Day, San Fran vs New York
Holy Cow! What a Game!
by "Jack London"
Union League correspondent
NEW YORK (ATL) April 8 -- Phil Rizzuto laced a singled into left field with one out in the bottom
of the 13th inning to send the New York Yankees to a 5-4 victory over
the San Francisco Seals.
"Phil came up with a clutch hit," Seals manager Jon Brown said. "I
thought Gene (Garber) was going to pitch out of it, but you have to be
careful pitching to Scooter."
Rizzuto, who came in to pinch-run for Sam Rice in the ninth inning,
completed the roughup of Seals' right-handed reliever Gene Garber, who
gave up two walks and the fateful single in 1 1/3 innings. Earlier in
the week, Garber was given free reign as the Seals' closer when San
Francisco traded Jose Mesa to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Garber was the Seals' fifth pitcher and the ninth hurler overall to see
mound action in a game that was delayed twice by rain for 106 minutes.
"That rain made for an especially long game, eh?" Brown asked or said, or something.
The rain delay put strain on both pitching staffs. Billy Pierce was
called in to relieve Seals starter Tedd Higuera shortly after the first
rain stoppage. But Pierce threw only three pitches before the skies
opened again.
Dolf Luque and Cocaina Garcia combined to shut down the Yankees for
eight innings, allowing the Seals to stage yet another late-inning
comeback.
Joe Torre came off the bench to knock in a run in San Francisco's first rally. The Seals tied the game with two runs in the top 
of the ninth inning off shaky Dave Righetti.
"We had a lot of fight in us, but Higuera's rocky start put us in a
hole we shouldn't have been in," Brown said. "Our offense needs to
start earlier, too."
As has been the alarming trend this season, the left-handed Higuera was
touched early. He gave up four runs in 2 2/3 innings as Don Mattingly
drilled a two-run double in the third inning. New York plated a run in
the first on a base hit by Amos Otis.
"Teddy's hanging on to a rotation spot by the skin of his teeth," Brown
said. "A few more outings like that and there could be changes."
4/8/2005, SFU06-NYU06, Yankee Stadium (1937-66)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2006 Seals 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0
2006 Yankees 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 R H E LOB DP
2006 Seals 0 4 7 1 7 2
2006 Yankees 1 5 11 0 10 2
Seals AB R H BI AVG Yankees AB R H BI AVG
Benjamin rf 4 0 1 0 .250 Stovey,H lf 6 1 1 0 .167
Oliva ph 2 0 0 1 .000 Crawford rf 5 1 1 0 .200
Jennings ss 5 0 0 0 .000 Otis cf 6 0 2 1 .333
Frisch 2b 5 1 1 0 .200 Nettles 3b 4 2 1 0 .250
DiMaggio,J cf 6 1 2 1 .333 Randolph 2b 4 1 2 1 .500
Medwick lf 4 1 0 0 .000 Mattingly 1b 6 0 1 2 .167
Adcock 1b 2 0 0 0 .000 Fisk c 2 0 1 0 .500
Torre ph 2 1 2 1 1.000 Rice,S ph 0 0 0 0 .000
Groh 3b 4 0 0 0 .000 Rizzuto pr 2 0 1 1 .500
Petway c 2 0 1 0 .500 Guidry p 1 0 0 0 .000
Sisler 1b 3 0 0 1 .000 Plank p 2 0 0 0 .000
Higuera p 1 0 0 0 .000 Righetti p 0 0 0 0 .000
Pierce p 0 0 0 0 .000 Pinson ph 1 0 0 0 .000
Luque p 1 0 0 0 .000 Partlow p 1 0 0 0 .000
Larkin ph 1 0 0 0 .000 Stephens,CJ ss 4 0 1 0 .250
Garcia,C p 0 0 0 0 .000 Berra c 1 0 0 0 .000
Oms ph 1 0 0 0 .000 45 5 11 5
Garber p 0 0 0 0 .000
43 4 7 4
Seals INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Higuera 2.2 6 4 3 3 3 61 37 10.13
Pierce 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0.00
Luque 3.0 2 0 0 0 0 25 15 0.00
Garcia,C 5.0 2 0 0 1 5 76 47 0.00
Garber L 0-1 1.1 1 1 1 2 1 30 15 6.75
12.1 11 5 4 6 9 195 116
Yankees INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Guidry 3.1 0 0 0 1 2 47 28 0.00
Plank 4.2 5 2 2 1 1 70 45 3.86
Righetti BS 1 1.0 0 2 2 3 1 23 10 18.00
Partlow W 1-0 4.0 2 0 0 0 1 46 30 0.00
13.0 7 4 4 5 5 186 113
SFU: Torre batted for Adcock in the 6th
Torre moved to c in the 6th
Sisler inserted at 1b in the 6th
Larkin batted for Luque in the 7th
Oliva batted for Benjamin in the 9th
Oliva moved to rf in the 9th
Oms batted for Garcia,C in the 12th
NYU: Rice,S batted for Fisk in the 9th
Rizzuto ran for Rice,S in the 9th
Pinson batted for Righetti in the 9th
Rizzuto moved to ss in the 10th
Berra inserted at c in the 10th
E-Benjamin. 2B-Crawford, Mattingly. SB-Benjamin(1). K-Jennings, DiMaggio,J,
Adcock, Groh, Oms, Stovey,H, Crawford, Otis 2, Mattingly 2, Stephens,CJ 2,
Pinson. BB-Frisch, Medwick 2, Torre, Garcia,C, Crawford, Nettles 2,
Randolph 2, Fisk. SH-Groh. HBP-Jennings, Rice,S. HB-Garcia,C, Guidry.
GWRBI: Rizzuto
Billy Pierce was removed after a rain delay
Ron Guidry was removed after a rain delay
Sam Rice was injured for this game only
Temperature: 54, Field: wet, Sky: threatening, Wind: out to left at 10 MPH,
Rain Delays: 34 and 72 minutes.
....................................................................................................
4/8/2005, SFU06-NYU06, Yankee Stadium (1937-66)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2006 Seals 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0
2006 Yankees 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 R H E LOB DP
2006 Seals 0 4 7 1 7 2
2006 Yankees 1 5 11 0 10 2
....................................................................................................
4/8/2005, SFU06-NYU06, Yankee Stadium (1937-66)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2006 Seals 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0
2006 Yankees 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 R H E LOB DP
2006 Seals 0 4 7 1 7 2
2006 Yankees 1 5 11 0 10 2
Score O Rnr BS Event
----- - --- -- -----
************** Top of the 1st inning, Seals batting
0-0 0 --- 32 Benjamin grounded out to the mound (BBCSBX)
0-0 1 --- 10 Jennings was hit by a pitch (BH)
0-0 1 1-- 31 Frisch walked, Jennings to second (BBBCB)
0-0 1 12- 12 DiMaggio,J struck out (SBFFFS)
0-0 2 12- 12 Medwick popped out to first (CBCX)
************** Bottom of the 1st inning, Yankees batting
0-0 0 --- 02 Stovey,H lined a single to left (CCX)
0-0 0 1-- 31 Crawford walked, Stovey,H to second (1BpBBCB)
0-0 0 12- 21 Otis grounded a single up the middle, Stovey,H scored,
Crawford out at third (BCBX)
0-1 1 1-- 12 Nettles grounded into a double play, Jennings to Frisch
to Adcock (BFFFX)
************** Top of the 2nd inning, Seals batting
0-1 0 --- 12 Adcock struck out (SSBS)
0-1 1 --- 00 Groh flied out to center (X)
0-1 2 --- 11 Petway grounded out to second (SBX)
************** Bottom of the 2nd inning, Yankees batting
0-1 0 --- 11 Randolph lined a single to shallow right (BCX)
0-1 0 1-- 22 Mattingly struck out (1BSBSC)
0-1 1 1-- 32 Fisk walked, Randolph to second (BBBCFB)
0-1 1 12- 11 Guidry grounded to second, forcing Fisk at second,
Randolph to third, Guidry to first (>FBX)
0-1 2 1-3 12 Stephens,CJ struck out (BCFFS)
************** Top of the 3rd inning, Seals batting
0-1 0 --- 11 Higuera flied out to left (CBX)
0-1 1 --- 22 Benjamin grounded out to short (CFBBX)
0-1 2 --- 32 Jennings lined out to center (BBFBSX)
************** Bottom of the 3rd inning, Yankees batting
0-1 0 --- 12 Stovey,H grounded out to third (BFCX)
Game delayed by rain for 34 minutes
0-1 1 --- 00 Crawford lined a double to left center (X)
Started raining
0-1 1 -2- 02 Otis struck out (CFFS)
0-1 2 -2- 30 Nettles walked (BBBB)
0-1 2 12- 12 Randolph lined a single to shallow right, Crawford
scored, Nettles to third on an error by the right
fielder Benjamin, Randolph to second (CCBX)
0-2 2 -23 22 Mattingly lined a double to left center, Nettles scored,
Randolph scored (BCBFX)
Pierce now pitching
0-4 2 -2- 11 Fisk flied out to left (CBX)
************** Top of the 4th inning, Seals batting
0-4 0 --- 01 Frisch grounded out to the mound (CX)
Game delayed by rain for 72 minutes
Pierce left the game after a rain delay
Guidry left the game after a rain delay
Plank now pitching
0-4 1 --- 21 DiMaggio,J popped out to first (BCBX)
0-4 2 --- 22 Medwick grounded out to second (BCCBX)
************** Bottom of the 4th inning, Yankees batting
Luque now pitching
0-4 0 --- 00 Plank grounded out to first (X)
0-4 1 --- 31 Stephens,CJ grounded out to second (BCBBX)
0-4 2 --- 31 Stovey,H grounded out to first (BBBCX)
************** Top of the 5th inning, Seals batting
0-4 0 --- 01 Adcock lined out to left (CX)
0-4 1 --- 22 Groh struck out (BBCFFS)
0-4 2 --- 12 Petway lined a single to shallow center (BCCX)
0-4 2 1-- 10 Luque flied out to center (B>X)
************** Bottom of the 5th inning, Yankees batting
0-4 0 --- 01 Crawford flied out to left (FX)
0-4 1 --- 10 Otis grounded out to second (BX)
0-4 2 --- 00 Nettles lined a single to left center (X)
Started raining
0-4 2 1-- 00 Randolph grounded to short, forcing Nettles at second (X)
************** Top of the 6th inning, Seals batting
0-4 0 --- 32 Benjamin lined a single to shallow center (BCBBFFX)
0-4 0 1-- 00 Jennings popped out to second (>X)
0-4 1 1-- 00 Benjamin stole second (>C)
0-4 1 -2- 21 Frisch lined a single to shallow left, Benjamin out at
home, Frisch to second (>C.BBX)
0-4 2 -2- 11 DiMaggio,J grounded a single up the middle, Frisch scored
(CBX)
1-4 2 1-- 32 Medwick walked, DiMaggio,J to second (BFFBB>F>F>B)
Torre pinch hitting for Adcock
1-4 2 12- 10 Torre lined a single between first and second, DiMaggio,J
scored, Medwick to second (BX)
2-4 2 12- 01 Groh flied out to center (CX)
************** Bottom of the 6th inning, Yankees batting
Torre moved to catcher
Sisler now playing first base
2-4 0 --- 10 Mattingly grounded out to second (BX)
2-4 1 --- 01 Fisk lined a single to shallow left (FX)
2-4 1 1-- 21 Plank grounded into a double play, Jennings to Sisler
(BBFX)
************** Top of the 7th inning, Seals batting
2-4 0 --- 11 Sisler flied out to left (CBX)
Larkin pinch hitting for Luque
2-4 1 --- 11 Larkin grounded out to first (BCX)
2-4 2 --- 22 Benjamin popped out to first (BCSFFBX)
************** Bottom of the 7th inning, Yankees batting
Garcia,C now pitching
2-4 0 --- 02 Stephens,CJ struck out (FbFC)
2-4 1 --- 22 Stovey,H struck out (CBBSC)
2-4 2 --- 20 Crawford grounded out to third (BBX)
************** Top of the 8th inning, Seals batting
2-4 0 --- 01 Jennings grounded out to second (CX)
2-4 1 --- 11 Frisch flied out to center (FBX)
2-4 2 --- 10 DiMaggio,J grounded out to second (BX)
************** Bottom of the 8th inning, Yankees batting
2-4 0 --- 22 Otis popped out to the catcher (CCBFBX)
2-4 1 --- 00 Nettles grounded out to second (X)
2-4 2 --- 21 Randolph grounded out to third (BBCX)
************** Top of the 9th inning, Seals batting
Righetti now pitching
2-4 0 --- 31 Medwick walked (BBSBB)
2-4 0 1-- 31 Torre walked, Medwick to second (CBBBB)
2-4 0 12- 00 Groh sacrifice bunted to first, Medwick to third, Torre
to second (Xb)
2-4 1 -23 00 Sisler reached on a fielder's choice to second, Medwick
scored, Torre to third, Sisler to first (X)
3-4 1 1-3 30 Garcia,C was walked intentionally, Sisler to second (IIII)
Oliva pinch hitting for Benjamin
3-4 1 123 12 Oliva grounded out to second, Torre scored, Sisler to
third, Garcia,C to second (CBFX)
4-4 2 -23 02 Jennings struck out (CFS)
************** Bottom of the 9th inning, Yankees batting
Oliva moved to right field
4-4 0 --- 22 Mattingly struck out (CBBCS)
Rice,S pinch hitting for Fisk
4-4 1 --- 02 Rice,S was hit by a pitch (FSFH)
Rice,S left the game with an injury
Rizzuto pinch running for Rice,S
Pinson pinch hitting for Righetti
4-4 1 1-- 22 Pinson struck out (SBBSS)
4-4 2 1-- 20 Stephens,CJ lined a single to shallow right, Rizzuto to
third (BBX)
4-4 2 1-3 22 Stovey,H grounded to short, forcing Stephens,CJ at second
(CBBFX)
************** Top of the 10th inning, Seals batting
Rizzuto moved to shortstop
Partlow now pitching
Berra now playing catcher
4-4 0 --- 02 Frisch flied out to center (SFX)
4-4 1 --- 22 DiMaggio,J flied out to left (BBSCX)
4-4 2 --- 21 Medwick flied out to left (BFBX)
************** Bottom of the 10th inning, Yankees batting
4-4 0 --- 32 Crawford struck out (BFFBBS)
4-4 1 --- 02 Otis lined a single to shallow right (FCX)
4-4 1 1-- 10 Nettles flied out to left (11BX)
4-4 2 1-- 32 Randolph walked, Otis to second (BCBBC>B)
4-4 2 12- 22 Mattingly grounded to short, forcing Randolph at second
(CSBBX)
************** Top of the 11th inning, Seals batting
4-4 0 --- 31 Torre lined a single to shallow center (BFBBX)
4-4 0 1-- 02 Groh grounded into a double play, Randolph to Rizzuto to
Mattingly (>FCX)
4-4 2 --- 11 Sisler lined out to right (FBX)
************** Bottom of the 11th inning, Yankees batting
4-4 0 --- 11 Rizzuto grounded out to second (BSX)
4-4 1 --- 02 Partlow flied out to left (CCX)
4-4 2 --- 12 Berra grounded out to first (BCCX)
************** Top of the 12th inning, Seals batting
Oms pinch hitting for Garcia,C
4-4 0 --- 32 Oms struck out (BBBCSFFS)
4-4 1 --- 10 Oliva grounded out to first (BX)
4-4 2 --- 00 Jennings flied out to center (X)
************** Bottom of the 12th inning, Yankees batting
Garber now pitching
4-4 0 --- 10 Stovey,H flied out to left (BX)
4-4 1 --- 22 Crawford grounded out to second (FBBSFFFX)
4-4 2 --- 12 Otis struck out (FCBC)
************** Top of the 13th inning, Seals batting
4-4 0 --- 10 Frisch popped out to the catcher (BX)
4-4 1 --- 22 DiMaggio,J lined a single to shallow left (CSFBBX)
4-4 1 1-- 12 Medwick grounded into a double play, Nettles to Randolph
to Mattingly (CCBX)
************** Bottom of the 13th inning, Yankees batting
4-4 0 --- 31 Nettles walked (SBBBB)
4-4 0 1-- 30 Randolph walked, Nettles to second (BBBB)
4-4 0 12- 00 Mattingly grounded out to short, Nettles to third,
Randolph to second (>X)
4-4 1 -23 32 Rizzuto lined a single between third and short, Nettles
scored, Randolph to third (CBFBBX)
