ATLANTA -- His locker surrounded by media members in the somber Atlanta Braves clubhouse, Brooks Conrad patiently answered the same basic question over and over.
But there was nothing that the beleaguered second baseman could say that offered any real explanation for his costly case of the yips.
"It's getting ridiculous," Conrad said, dropping his head. "I'm embarrassed."
Conrad handed the Giants two runs Sunday, including the winner in the ninth inning with his third error as the Giants won 3-2 at Turner Field to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series.
"It's a whole lot to swallow," Conrad said. "I'll do my best to try to get over it, but it's probably something I won't get over for a long time, if ever. I feel absolutely terrible right now. I wish I could just dig a hole and go to sleep in there."
The three miscues tied a postseason record, and Conrad has eight errors in his past seven games since being moved into the lineup when Martin Prado joined Chipper Jones on the injury list.
Conrad, a 30-year-old journeyman, made errors in three straight games at third base before committing another miscue at second base in the season finale. A booted grounder in the NLDS opener didn't factor in the Giants' 1-0 victory, but things went from bad to worse in Game 3.
Tim Hudson pitched around a booted double-play grounder in the first inning, but Conrad dropped a popup in shallow right field
in the second, giving the Giants an early lead.The final indignity came after Eric Hinske put the Braves ahead with a two-run, pinch homer in the eighth.
Aubrey Huff tied the score with a two-out hit, and it looked as if the score would stay there when Buster Posey hit a one-hopper at Conrad. But the ball scooted between the infielder's legs, and Freddy Sanchez scored the go-ahead run.
"I tracked it the whole way," Conrad said. "It just seemed to go right through me. No excuses."
How bad are things for Conrad? When a video of his walk-off pinch grand slam to beat Cincinnati was shown on the scoreboard before the bottom of the ninth, the Turner Field crowed booed lustily.
It was that winner against the Reds in May and a second pinch grand slam later that earned Conrad more playing time -- and the confidence of his teammates.
"You hurt for him," Braves outfielder Matt Diaz said. "This should be the time of his life."
Instead, Conrad's dream has become a nightmare. He is just 1 for 10 in the NLDS, and that pales in comparison with his struggles defensively.
Troy Glaus is almost sure to get a shot at third base in Game 4, with Omar Infante shifting to second.
"I'll sleep on it," Braves manager Bobby Cox said when asked if Conrad would play tonight.
Conrad said a number of teammates talked to him after the game, trying to keep his spirits up. But it didn't work.
"I feel like I've let a lot of those guys down who have given me so much support this year," he said. "That's why this hurts so much."
