There have been five players caught stealing twice in the same inning, and many others who have been apprehended three times in one game. But there had never been anyone thrown out four times in a single contest until this night when the Giants' larcenous rookie, Robby Thompson, repeatedly tested the arm of Reds catcher Bo Diaz.

In the game, several of Thompson's teammates did have early success against Diaz. Randy Kutcher had stolen third base in the third inning, and with Thompson at bat in the fourth, pitcher Scott Garrelts and Kutcher combined for a double steal. On that play, Diaz' throw went into left field enabling Garrelts to score and, when left fielder Eric Davis fumbled the ball, Kutcher also tallied. Thompson then singled and, having just watched the previous farce unfold, was off and running. But Diaz anticipated the rookie's action and gunned him down at second base.

In the sixth Thompson singled for the second time driving home a run, but was again victimized while attempting to steal on Diaz' throw to second. Robby's RBI gave the Giants a 6-2 lead, and it didn't appear that he would even get to bat two more times. But an array of failing San Francisco relievers and Dave Parker's three-run home run allowed the Reds to tie it after seven innings, 6-6.

With the score still tied in the ninth, Thompson led off with his third straight single. Representing the lead run, Robby then tried to get himself into scoring position but once again was gunned down by Diaz at second.

Thompson needed a fluke play for his record-setting fourth caught-stealing. With two out in the 11th, he struck out, but John Franco's pitch was wild, enabling Robby to reach first. Franco then atoned for his miscue when he caught Thompson leaning toward second. As Franco threw over to first, Robby decided to sprint for second but was easily caught for the fourth time. "A rough night on the bases," said Thompson. "I wanted to get in the record book, but not like that."* (David Bush, "Giants Beat Reds in 12 Innings," San Francisco Chronicle, 28 June 1986, p. 46, col. 4.)

Despite Thompson's unfortunate baserunning, San Francisco won the game in 12 innings, 7-6, when Mike Aldrete's sacrifice fly scored Chili Davis from third base.

The following table outlines each of Thompson's offensive events, both batting and baserunning:

ROBBY THOMPSON’S DAY OF FRUSTRATION, 6-27-86

Inn  Pitcher   Catcher Out Runners On	  Batter    Event
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1  Gullickson  Diaz	1  None		  Thompson  Fly out to right
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3  Gullickson  Diaz	0  Garrelts (3rd) Thompson  Sac fly to center, RBI
			   Kutcher (1st)
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4  Gullickson  Diaz	2  None		  Thompson  Single to center
4  Gullickson  Diaz	2  Thompson (1st) Leonard   Thompson CS (2-6)
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6  Willis      Diaz	2  Uribe (3rd)	  Thompson  Single thru short, RBI
6  Willis      Diaz	2  Thompson (1st) Leonard   Thompson CS (2-6)
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9  R. Robinson Diaz	0  None		  Thompson  Single to center
9  R. Robinson Diaz	0  Thompson (1st) Leonard   Thompson CS (2-4)
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11 Franco      Diaz	2  None		  Thompson  Strikeout/wild pitch
11 Franco      Diaz	2  Thompson (1st) Leonard   Thompson CS (1-3-4)

In addition to three hits and two RBIs, Thompson also helped save the game for the Giants in the bottom of the ninth. After Tracy Jones drew a one-out walk, pitcher Juan Berenguer tried to pick him off. The ball got by first baseman Aldrete, and as Jones raced around toward third, Thompson retrieved it and made a perfect throw to third which nipped Jones.

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