September 20th: Alou throws tardy fit

Too little, too late
COLORADO - Immediately following a walk in the eighth inning, Felipe Alou finally realized his team needed a kick start. After adding five runs in the top of the inning, losing four games in a row and falling out of playoff contention, then and only then does he take action.

Alou addressed Chulk in Spanish, which he speaks fluently, but he declined to say what exactly. "I used a word I very seldom use," Alou said. "It was the first time I used it this year on the mound."

Todd Greene spoke triumphantly after last night's show of offense, including his two run triple in the eighth. "If our starting pitchers hadn't pitched well, we would be 15 games out right now. They picked us up all year. It's time for us to pick them up, give them some runs early and give them some room to breathe."

Schimdt's critics were hushed last night, as he battled through 4.2 innings, walking seven. While not his best performance, he has been battling back issues as of late, showing determination in pitching through discomfort. "I don't think something is right," said Felipe Alou. "We all appreciated his effort."


Brink of elimination

Unless the Padres collapse and L.A. loses a few, the Giants chances are slim to none. With Morris struggling, tonight seems to be the last straw. His season has been an advertisement for mediocrity and at times, disastrous.

A loss tonight is the nail in the coffin.

Time to hold your breath.