How can a five-run first inning be frustrating (for the team that scores the five runs)? The Giants had two walks and six singles in the inning, sending eleven batters to the plate, but they left the bases loaded. I’m sure they felt someone in the lineup should have hit the ball well enough at Minute Maid Park to score more than one at a time. Omar Vizquel, who made two of the three outs in the five-run first, made up for it by hitting a bases-loaded triple in the Giants’ five-run fourth, as they went on to win, 14-3, giving Jamey Wright, who had been 0-12 lifetime against the Astros, his first victory over them. In the fifth, Astros pitcher Russ Springer threw at Barry Bonds five times before hitting him in the shoulder, to the delight of the fans in Houston.

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One year ago: Jetsam
"I’ll get right on that, as soon as I’ve sorted out all my personality disorders."

Two years ago: Swinging
"Why go plain when fancy is so much fun?"

Three years ago: Dig It
"During my labors I also managed to dig up some black rubber tubing and a couple of pieces of thin wire. I assume this was part of the nonfunctioning gopher control system. They're not going to know it's gone, because they never knew it was there."

Four years ago: Drama
"I don't know what's happened to him, but I hope he's happier now than he was when he was stirring things up in my little world."

Five years ago: Hard Lesson
"Whatever it was that bit me, I never saw it."

Six years ago: Where Credit Is Due
"By speaking in tongues, I keep the devil at bay."