San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson said he wouldn't forget that Casey Blake mocked the cross-armed gesture he makes after every save as a tribute to his faith and deceased father.
Blake was shown on television cameras Sunday appearing to mimic Wilson's signature pose at the end of the 12th inning. Blake's home run against Wilson that inning tied the score, but the Giants scored two runs in the 13th inning and won, 7-5.
The Dodgers won't face the Giants again until Aug. 10 in San Francisco, but Wilson told reporters in that city that he has "a pretty good memory."
Wilson didn't deny that Blake's gesture could intensify the rivalry between the clubs.
"It could be a catalyst if you want to look at it that way," he said. "There's always something to fuel the fire. You're always looking for some excuse to get riled up."
The incident so upset Wilson that he wouldn't speak to reporters about it Sunday and had to be consoled by teammates.
Asked whether Blake's actions surprised him, Wilson said, "In this day and age, everyone's got some meaning behind what they do. Whether a guy crosses home plate and points to the sky; he's not just pointing to the clouds, right?"
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Paul's present to mom
Rookie Xavier Paul says the ball he slapped to center field in the eighth inning Sunday for his first major league hit will eventually be delivered to his parents in Slidell, La.
"A nice Mother's Day gift," Paul said.
Regardless of how Paul's career unfolds, he'll be a footnote in history as the player who was called up from triple-A Albuquerque to replace the suspended Manny Ramirez.
Paul was in Oklahoma City when roommate Danny Ardoin handed him the phone. On the line was Albuquerque Manager Tim Wallach.
The time? 3:30 a.m.
Was he excited even though he was half asleep?
"I woke up quick," he said.
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dylan.hernandez@latimes.com
