Braves postgame quotes after Friday’s win
FREDI GONZALEZ
On the defense:
“We made some great plays. Two 3-6-3 doubles plays, which that’s probably the toughest double play to turn and we did it with two different first basemen. Overall great defense. Guys leaving their feet everywhere around the field, Bourny, Danny Uggla, Prado at first base a couple times, and Matte Diaz in left center. It was a nice effort. We had a four-game losing streak and effort was not part of the losing. We came out there and battled every single night and it didn’t happen. Simmons with the big two-run homer to get us over the top. And then Medlen came in and gave us those two innings we talked about this afternoon, the seventh and the eighth, and we were able to give the ball to Kimbrel.”
On Hanson doing well to keep team in game:
“Yeah, he was just missing with his pitches. It wasn’t like he was really scattering the ball around. It was just missing sometimes. I thought maybe it was a strike that they gave him a ball, but the pitch count got up there pretty high. It was over 100 in 5 1/3. Maybe not his best outing stuff-wise but he kept us in the ballgame. And Durbin came in and got those two big outs and we were able to add on some runs late in the game.”
On Simmons keeping his head after error:
“He’s a pretty solid guy. He’s not going to let that kind of stuff rattle him. It’s nice to see him swing the bat and make some plays defensively too.”
On McCann building on recent adjustments:
“Knock on wood, that’s a big bat in our lineup that we need to get going along with everybody else’s. You don’t want him to carry the team or the offensive brunt by himself. He could. It’s nice to see him…I want to say first game against the Yankees you started seeing some (good) at-bats. Good for him and good for us.”
On using Medlen in seventh and eighth:
“Tomorrow I don’t know what we’re going to do. I don’t think we’re going to bring him back for two innings tomorrow. We’ll figure out something else to do, maybe Beachy will go out and give us eight or nine innings and we won’t have to worry about that stuff. The way you use guys, there’s nothing against using Jonny. We could still use Jonny tomorrow in the eighth inning if we have to – that means Beachy only went seven. We have confidence in Jonny to use him in any inning really.”
On if Durbin could come back:
“Durbin’s fine. We’ve got to keep an eye on him because he’s got a pretty good workload going right now. I think he’s pitched almost every other day. We’re going to call him Everyday Chad. He comes in and gives us, cleans up those innings and does a terrific job for us. We’re going to keep an eye on him because he’s a valuable piece and we don’t want to overwork him.”
On if he thought Simmons homer would clear:
“No I didn’t. It looked like the ball hung up there for a long time from my vantage point. It hit the green (wall, not the stands)? There you go.”
On Simmons’ first 12 games offensively:
“We’ll see what happens down the road when the league sees him a few times but he’s done a nice job from what I’ve seen in spring training to what I see now. Donnie Long and our minor league coaches have done a terrific job cleaning him up a little bit. There are still going to be adjustments. Five-time All-Stars still have to make adjustments, but I see some improvement offensively.”
TOMMY HANSON
On if he felt like he was just missing:
“Something like that. You guys watched the game. I don’t really have anything to say. My patience was definitely tested tonight. I’ve got to do a better job of making pitches I guess. And those close ones maybe next time will go my way. I don’t know.”
On getting double plays when he needed them:
“I was fortunate to make pitches in those situations and get out of those innings, try to keep that big inning from popping up. I made a pitch when I had to and obviously wish I went deeper into the game. It just didn’t work out tonight.”
On the leather flashed behind him:
“It was great. I needed it tonight and they picked me up big-time. That was huge to see.”
ANDRELTON SIMMONS
On the homer:
“It felt good. After I made the error, I felt like it cost us two runs and I was trying to make it up to the team. Matt got on base. I was looking for something over the plate. He threw it pretty much down the middle and I got it pretty good.”
On if thinking “I’ve got to figure out a way to make up for this:”
“You try not to try too hard, but it’s in the back of your head. You’re trying to cover your mistakes. You’re still trying to help the team win, but that error for me, I feel like I’ve got to make good plays behind the pitchers again, or I’ve got to get on base and try to get runs somehow. So luckily Matt got on base, and I got to give us a lead.”
On if a frustrating error for him:
“Yeah. Not every error I make is frustrating but that one was certainly one that I had time. There was no reason to make that error. I wasn’t rushing. I tried to time Prado’s run to the bag and threw it too slow and it kept carrying in the air. I should have just made a strong throw and got the out. I learn from mistakes, so I’ll try not to do that again.”
On all the double plays:
“Pitchers made good pitches with all the runners on base. They hit them right at me, or Chipper one time. It was all a team effort. Everybody tried really hard today. Fortunately we got the win.”
On surprising to have such early offensive success:
“It’s not surprising if I’m feeling that good at the plate because I’m seeing the ball really well, and I’m not missing my pitches. So if I’m feeling like this, I’m expecting to get results. I’m expecting to get hits and I’m expecting to get on base. I’ll try to stay on this roll as long as I can.”
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82 comments Add your comment
Darryl Blackberry
June 15th, 2012
11:54 pm
Sweet sweetness.
Brandon
June 15th, 2012
11:55 pm
2 errors today but still incredible defense all around the board. Good to see McCann getting hot!!! Go Braves
BD
June 15th, 2012
11:58 pm
Simmons is hot, but scouts will adjust. I love Simmons too. http://bravedecisions.wordpress.com/ thanks!!
Livan is Gone
June 16th, 2012
12:06 am
Most impressive thing about simmons…. 3ks in 42 atbats thus far!
ChillyMutt
June 16th, 2012
12:09 am
Seriously Freddie.
Simmons is the Real Deal – Mark it Dude.
Choppinmama
June 16th, 2012
12:10 am
Airborne…………love those flyin’ tomahawks.
Tana
June 16th, 2012
12:13 am
Another great night for the Durbinator.
jd56
June 16th, 2012
12:15 am
Durb!
milo
June 16th, 2012
12:26 am
tonight might be the beginning for the Chipper slump. Im sure his mind is somewhere else.
Brandon
June 16th, 2012
12:35 am
i think chipper will be fine…hasnt been back that long, sometimes it takes some time to get back into the feel of things
NickB
June 16th, 2012
2:24 am
when his first divorce happened in 98/99 he had 2 of his best seasons ever….seems like he can handle that stuff just fine
Ward
June 16th, 2012
2:36 am
Like this Simmons kid. He plays with great energy, and he’s just an all around good kid. Braves could use an energy boost. Simmon is some kind of a special player…….
Skeezix
June 16th, 2012
6:13 am
Simmons is the real deal. To me he is the most exciting Brave to watch play, with Prado and Bourn tied for second.
WTF
June 16th, 2012
6:14 am
Is there anything Martin Prado can’t do on a baseball field? If he gets hurt this season – pray God he doesn’t – he could probably fill in for Fredi or even Wren (the 48 hours right before July 31st would be most helpful).
Skeezix
June 16th, 2012
6:17 am
It was nice to see Medlen back after that silly “stretching out his arm” stint at Gwinnett.
Skeezix
June 16th, 2012
6:19 am
Prado’s versatility is one reason I love to watch his play—but the main reason to love the guy is because he plays with his heart 100% into every game.
gotigers72
June 16th, 2012
6:21 am
I think I know what Hanson was talking about. I believe he felt he was being squeezed by the home plate ump, Cousins. Cousins was all over the place tonight. Hitters and pitchers were both upset with him. He called a strike on McCann that was nose high for goodness sake! I thought that he was usually a good ball/strike ump, but not tonight.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
June 16th, 2012
7:54 am
Okay, here’s the thing. We now know the Medlen sent down to stretch out his arm was pure bunk. He was sent down because he could be and Havana Fats was trying to protect his home slice Hasbeendez who could not. This shows that not only is Havana Fats the absolute worst manager in the ‘Bigs’ at this time he is a lying SOB. He put his personal wants above his team. He has no honor. There is no place in Major League baseball for a man of his ilk.
FIRE HAVANA FATS!
Larry
June 16th, 2012
8:05 am
On using Medlen in seventh and eighth:
“Tomorrow I don’t know what we’re going to do. I don’t think we’re going to bring him back for two innings tomorrow. We’ll figure out something else to do, maybe Beachy will go out and give us eight or nine innings and we won’t have to worry about that stuff.”
Imagine the above quoted person being the leader of your team, squadron, business or just even manning the burger/hotdog grill at the family reunion?
All I can do is…
Dwayne
June 16th, 2012
8:14 am
Durbin the Dinger Flinger is now our best middle man???
dawg51
June 16th, 2012
8:18 am
Prado can play anywhere we need him……he’s the one that lays it on the line EVERY night…..a gamer……as he goes……Braves go….period……Simmons is here to stay…..lets keep THIS STREAK…..go get those robins today…..time to make a pre-allstar run, and show everybody we’re here for the long haul…..
bravesgrl4life
June 16th, 2012
8:41 am
I absolutely adore Martin Prado! That man is a gamer for sure. He’s always willing to move to whatever position they need him to play and he goes out there and shows just how good he is. Left field, third base, first base. He’s got it all.
Gotta admire Tommy Hanson’s ability to not go off on Darryl Cousins last night, wither physically or verbally. He got squeezed badly. The Orioles weren’t gettting squeezed nearly as bad. I think he had even them confused on some of the pitches Hanson threw. I am convinced that the umps do not want the Braves to win thi sseason. Unless they are just bad all over; it’s very strange how bad they are this year.
DaveinNEPA
June 16th, 2012
8:43 am
This was a pretty well played, well pitched game. Nice to have Medlen back. So far, young Mr. Simmons looks like a definite keeper.
However, I do have one complaint. When the other pitcher is struggling with his command I would like to see our so called team leader be a bit more patient at the plate instead of trying to hit the first pitch every time there’s runners in scoring position. Yes Chipper, I’m talking to you about hitting the first pitch into an inning ending DP. It’s not the first time he’s done that in the last couple of seasons and IMO it’s bad habit to get into. Take a couple of pitches, make the guy work instead of getting yourself out. Chipper of all people should know better.
Ralph
June 16th, 2012
8:46 am
I just want to tip my hat to Fruti for not fu**ing up one time last nite, 1 time out of 162, I still want him fired.
say what??
June 16th, 2012
8:56 am
The comment at 7:54am, is about as stupid as you can get.
Mister Frisky
June 16th, 2012
9:01 am
FIRE HF!
Ebenezer Snerdberg
June 16th, 2012
9:01 am
He’s an incompetent, lying SOB. And you Sir haven’t a clue!
reckingball
June 16th, 2012
9:22 am
bravesgrl4life….Darryl Cousins looked like he is in need of a new prescription for his eyeglasses.
Bobby Cox would not have lasted past the 2nd inning in last night’s game.
On a called strike 3 pitch to Uggla, the pitch was below his knees, 6 inches inside, off the plate.
In the next inning a pitch that was thrown to one of the Os batters, was on the same level as the one Uggla got rung up on, straight down the middle of the plate, but was called a ball.
Terrible job by the HP ump.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
June 16th, 2012
9:33 am
Methinks he hit the ‘Spread’ drinks cart B4 the game ’stead o’ after. LOL! I’ve never seen Cousins with that tight (no pun intended) a strike zone. He’s always been a hitters ump, but last night he couldn’t seem to make up his mind!
bobbymahlon
June 16th, 2012
9:40 am
Why don’t we bring up JJ and Teheran and let them pitch numerious innings like Medlan did last night. They would a lot more help that way than pitching in the minors. It would be nice to have our best pitchers in Atlanta instead of Guinnet. Lets not get too carried away with Simmons making and error last night that’s going to happen every now and than he is not a robot. Also nothing much was said about Bourns error that let another run to score. Simmons thus far has been great defensively and right now he has the highest batting average on the team and has hit for some power. How about my man Prado making those plays at first last night.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
June 16th, 2012
9:45 am
JJ is never going to make it in the ‘Bigs’, at least with Roger McDoofus as his pitching coach. He more than likely will be traded and then get good coaching and become a major league pitcher like so many others when they get away from McDoofus. Teheran just ain’t ripe yet, so don’t pick him!
Tony C.
June 16th, 2012
9:51 am
DOB/Carrol: Please pass along my compliments to Mr. Hanson for biting his tongue and not calling out the erratic “strike zone” he had to deal with last night.. While you can read between the lines of his comments, I believe most people who saw how Cousins (It was Cousins right?) called balls and strikes last night would not have been able to be so diplomatic.
Kudos to Hanson for not telling it like it is, he made some beautiful pitches last night and couldn’t get a call-the above quotes show the growth and maturity Hanson has made as a pro and a person.
Otherwise, nice to see our guys get the much-needed win. Also, howabout Prado? this guy is the truth. We need to start letting him know when comes up to bat.
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
9:53 am
Good morning everyone, Great game and finally a W. Everything went very well. Everyone played well except a HOF 3rd baseman that is washed up. OH well finish the year with Mr Glory and then wish him well and kick him out the door.
dunnellonbrave
June 16th, 2012
10:18 am
Braves fans probably know this but today at 5 in College World Series our 7th round pick LHP Dave Starn will most likely start for Kent State. He was the conference pitcher of the year. Go Braves!
bobbymahlon
June 16th, 2012
10:18 am
We will never get anything for JJ if we leave him at Guinnet. Teheran has showed he can pitch three or four innings effectively if he is mixing his pitches but that is about as long as he can pitch thus far.
cowdogit
June 16th, 2012
10:19 am
Seven years ago the braves went from the best pitching coach in braves hietory , to the worst pitching coach in braves history . How many years do the fans have to put up with a broken down pitching staff ?
Eddie Sweat
June 16th, 2012
10:22 am
Prado is still a All-Star utility player.
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
10:25 am
@cowdogit How about a broken down 3rd baseman that is here just for the glory. I really think the pitching staff is starting to do well, They will be OK
IlliniBrave
June 16th, 2012
10:26 am
Don’t want to hate on Fredi, but when stories like these keep popping up it does make you question the manager’s decision-making. This is from Dave Schoenfeld’s blog, and it accompanies another story on ESPN about mismanaged bullpens. In the article Schoenfeld singles out Kimbrel as standing out among today’s premier closers in having 65 saves – with NONE more than one inning. Essentially, the critics are trashing how too many managers “save” their closers for strictly “save” situations. Yup – that means you Fredi.
***http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/25668/evolution-of-the-closer-how-we-got-here***
Ebenezer Snerdberg
June 16th, 2012
10:26 am
cowdogit, you are a great and wise sage!
IlliniBrave
June 16th, 2012
10:29 am
Check out this from Dave Schoenfeld’s blog. It goes with another story on ESPN on mismanaged bullpens. Schoenfeld singles out Kimbrel as having 65 saves – with NONE more than one inning. A lot of critics are questioning the way in which too many managers “save” their closers for strictly “save” situations. Makes you seriously wonder about Fredi’s bullpen decisions.
<<>>
IlliniBrave
June 16th, 2012
10:30 am
Ooops! Sorry about the duplicate postings. Doh!
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
10:36 am
Enter your comments here
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
10:37 am
Soory about that.
Eddie Sweat
June 16th, 2012
10:40 am
I know Chipper has health and family problems. I pray they will be worked out. That said, I don’t believe Chipper Jones is here for the glory–he really believes he can help and wants to win and get in WS one more time. He has given Atlanta fans 18 plus years of great baseball (HOF player)something we may not see again. I know he’s made alots of money etc but $$$ isn’t everything to him. He really loves the Braves. Its in his blood and always will be. He has paid his dues..He has helped alot of people and kids in life and gave more to fans than fans have give to him. I hope and pray Chipper will one day be a coach are manager of this team.—stop the hate and show a little respect for your blessings. God Bless the USA.
Whiskey– I read your blogs often and agree alot with you but give Chipper “Mr.Brave” a break please–we all get old and he’ll be gone shortly..peace brother.
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
10:50 am
I completely agree with you. He is a Hall of Famer,no doubt. He deserves everything he gets. However he is killing this team as a starter. I personally think he would be a great pinch hitter. IMO bench him and let him get his glory before he goes out. Let him be a pinch hitter. Release Francisco. Bring up Constanza. Give us our winning team back. It will even be better with Chipper pinchhitting.
bostonbravo
June 16th, 2012
10:53 am
what is with this Matty, Danny, Bourny, Huddy, Chippy, crap? Are these grown men or Fredi-y boy toys?
Ebenezer Snerdberg
June 16th, 2012
10:57 am
bostonbravo, you can hang that’un on Boddy Sux. He had to nick-shame everybody like that. And…since everybody had to slobber daily over what bull headed Bob did, they still do!
Stan Capriles
June 16th, 2012
11:01 am
JJ should be back with the Braves. Simmons name should be engraved in the line-up.
NORRIS CHUCK
June 16th, 2012
11:36 am
Braves Acquire McCurry From Orioles
By Zach Links [June 16 at 10:20am CST]
Today’s minor moves..
•The Braves have acquired minor league left-handed pitcher Cole McCurry from the Orioles for cash, according to Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com. McCurry had been with the Orioles since they drafted him in 2007 and was on the verge of being squeezed out of Triple-A Norfolk with the recent additions of Jamie Moyer and Rich Rundles. Joel Pineiro and Dontrelle Willis could also be on their way as well.
HERE THEY GO SHOPPING IN THE BARGAIN BIN AGAIN!
Largo
June 16th, 2012
11:39 am
Simmons is the real deal. Now. . . if they will just leave him alone and not try telling him how to play SS.
bostonbravo
June 16th, 2012
12:06 pm
you’re right Ebenezery…I just try not to recall that aspect of Bobby Cox….man, he was sooooo much better than Havana Fats!
Braves Fan in Maine
June 16th, 2012
12:28 pm
Why cant the braves make deals to help the team… they sign/trade for these guys that couldnt even make a AAA club
Ebenezer Snerdberg
June 16th, 2012
12:31 pm
Clyde King was better than Havana Fats!
Fats
June 16th, 2012
12:38 pm
Smooth sailing from here on out…………………We found us a short stop so MLB can forget about it. I see nothing but a World Series title now.
myside
June 16th, 2012
12:38 pm
Pastornicky can forget about coming back to the ss position.
Kris
June 16th, 2012
12:43 pm
We have a good enough team to make it to the post season, but Fredi will screw things up. I can’t believe how dilusional he is at the interview after games. It’s like he wasn’t in the same game. It’s almost psychotic. Please fire Fredi before it’s too late.
Robyn
June 16th, 2012
12:46 pm
Hello Does anyone else here think the umpire was trying to make us lose. Help me out with baseball talk. Not been a fan long.
Kris
June 16th, 2012
12:50 pm
Matty, Danny, Bourny, Huddy, Chippy crap comes from BCox. Fredi wants to be just BCox. All the denials at the interview also comes from BCox only it’s worse with Fredi. In the name of “protecting his players?” he comes off as someone delusional. After a 5 run blow up by Livan, he would say “oh Livan was the perfect man in that situation. I would do it all over again.” What a psycho.
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
1:05 pm
Ok Guys I am back. Had a meeting. What is going on?
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
1:06 pm
WOW Kris you finally figured out that management is the problem.
Eddie Sweat
June 16th, 2012
1:29 pm
Whiskey River from sound track of “Honeysuckle Rose”
Oh lay me down girl, ’cause I’m going like a river,
overflowing
I hear someone who is crying-I——
You’re all I’ve got to take care of me–
Whiskey river on my mind….
Good handle Mr Whiskey…
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
1:38 pm
I have no idea what you are talking about. I know the song but that is not why I picked the Handle. If you really want to know I will tell you. Not Important to me but there is a reason. WILL NOT TELL YOU MY REAL NAME. I CANT
No. 1 Braves Fan
June 16th, 2012
1:59 pm
A month or more ago, all the anti-Braves were calling for Durbin`s head.
what happened to you people? Did you get lost or you ashamed to admit you were wrong?
Next, to the many Fredi bashers: Will you please give the guy a chance to win by backing off a while? The Braves are in second place in the toughest Division in the NL. Why throw Fredi under the bus at this point?
:
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
2:10 pm
No. 1 Braves Fan I was always on the Durbin wagon because I knew him when he was in Philly. Always a good reliever. I will get off of FG and FGW when they are fired. They are the problem. If you are a #1 fan like claim, you would know that. Management is the reason that we had a winning streak stopped. They broke up the team. If you are a fan, you would know that. Fire FG and FW and we have a good chance at WS. Until then NO
bostonbravo
June 16th, 2012
2:25 pm
the hell with Clyde King…RODNEY King would be better than Havana Fats!
Mikey
June 16th, 2012
2:27 pm
Certainly would be nice to get a healthy sweet swinging Hoover vacuum back at first base. Can’t remember the last time we had the best 8 on the field all healthy and raking. McCann looks finally like his old allstar self and Simmons may be the most exciting young player to make a difference since last years Kimbrel.
Braint
June 16th, 2012
2:50 pm
I haven’t been on here in a while but did the blog go crazy when FG left Venters in after he gave up the granny?
Alaska Braves Fan
June 16th, 2012
2:56 pm
Those people whose judgmental comments reveal unalloyed disrespect and enmity toward some players make me wonder what kinds of behavior they expect, and get, from those to whose authority they are subject. It also makes me wonder, as once was said of George on Seinfeld, “What did your parents DO to you?”
ABF
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
2:57 pm
T didn’t help. But really we never left. Fire FG and FW now.
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
3:02 pm
@Alaska Braves Fan If you would make some sense, I might answer that. Speak English. If not I have 2 other languages I speak. Maybe that will help you.
HOF 10
June 16th, 2012
3:33 pm
Great to have a SS again. Most important position on the field behind the pitcher, and if he can hit, so much the better. I thought Escobar was going to be the guy but it would have been better not having him at all. Without him, no way they trade Elvis, the one young player they never should have let go. But I like the looks of Simmons.
Ralph
June 16th, 2012
3:34 pm
J-Hey or Simmons in the 2 hole, please!
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
3:41 pm
Good afternoon Ralph. What did you think about last nite game. IMO Get Chipper out of 5 hole.
bostonbravo
June 16th, 2012
3:52 pm
excuse my enmity.
Eddie Sweat
June 16th, 2012
3:54 pm
Sorry about that..I thought you might know the song by Willie Nelson- Whiskey River. Probably why you were using name– So whatever, have a good day.
I don’t really care who u are it don’t matter.
Mets R Best
June 16th, 2012
4:20 pm
So the NY Yankees swept the Braves at Atlanta. Just wanted to remind you Braves fans that the New York Mets swept your team to start the season. That means your guys have lost 8 out of 10 against New York teams in 2012. But that isn’t surprising is it? Because of superior talent, coaching, and sophistication it is hard for any team to compete against the New York teams. The Mighty Mets are hanging tough which causes inferior teams like Atlanta to quake in fear and thus choke. The Braves should fear the Mets because of players like the marvelous Johan “No Hitter” Santana and hitters like David Wright, who is an offensive machine. Just the thought of having to play against players of their caliber makes opposing teams tremble with fear. Fear the Mets Braves. Fear them.
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
4:29 pm
I don’t fear them in my nightmares.
bostonbravo
June 16th, 2012
5:14 pm
I have a plethora of enmity toward Havana Fats.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
June 16th, 2012
5:23 pm
Will Rogers never met Havana Fats!
Ralph
June 16th, 2012
6:07 pm
Whiskey River WILL NOT TELL YOU MY REAL NAME. I CANT
Your first name is Andy
Whiskey River
June 16th, 2012
6:13 pm
How wrong you are. What difference does it make Ralph?