FREDI GONZALEZ
On the not capitalizing on scoring opportunities:
“Yeah, you have games like that where you don’t cash in those opportunities. But I thought Mike, went 6 1/3, gave up two solo home runs and then a play at the plate, the review, that was a big run. That was a big add-on run for them right there. And we didn’t swing the bats. We got one run in that eighth inning, hopefully try to get a couple more and that didn’t materialize. But our bullpen did a nice job. Varvaro came in and got a double play and then David (Hale) gave us a couple innings there, and we didn’t have to use anybody else. He did his job, kept the other team right where they’re at and give us an opportunity.”
On third inning bases loaded opportunity:
“(Nicasio) was pretty darn good. He made some pitches and we didn’t score.”
On numbers-wise Braves handled well in recent years but maybe a different guy this season:
“Yeah, those numbers are something you go by a little bit. It’s kind of like a guide but it’s not the bible but you felt pretty good going in and we had some guys out there that could handle him, but he’s 93, 94 and the ball’s got some pretty good movement to it. He did his job and kept us off-balance and made some pitches when he had to and we didn’t give any run support to Mike.”
On if feeling play at plate would be overturned:
“Watching from what I saw on the field and what Horacio was telling me. I was hoping that he didn’t have enough evidence to overturn it. But coming back and seeing a different look at it, it was clear and convincing obviously. That was a big run there.”
On it taking a while:
“It did take a while. That’s what it’s there for, whether it goes for you. Two nights ago it went for us and the last couple times it hasn’t, but that’s what it’s there for to get the plays right.”
On Minor giving up a couple home run balls:
“Two guys that are swinging it pretty good, Tulo and Cuddyer, solo home runs. Those things are not supposed to beat you. But we did today.”
On B.J.’s day:
“B.J. the last 10, 11 games, he’s swung the bat good and getting on base and that’s what we want.”
MIKE MINOR
On if a case of a pitch or two costing him:
“Yeah I think so. It was a battle today. I didn’t feel like I had my best stuff. There were a couple defensive plays that kept me in the game. and then obviously the solo shots are what killed us.”
On if trouble inside to righties:
“Yeah a little bit because the two-seam wasn’t running back as much as usually was in the previous games, so I was missing with that and falling deeper into counts and then having to throw it more over the middle of the plate.”
On home run balls:
“They were both middle. 3-0, I thought (Cuddyer) might swing but I was hoping he would get big and pop it up or roll over and I threw it up and out right where he wanted it. Then Tulo we had been pounding him in all day and I missed more middle, and so he got it.”
On not best stuff:
“I’m not happy with the loss but to not have your best stuff and get a quality start out of it, I’ll take it.”
B.J. UPTON
On having Nicasio on the ropes early:
“He made some pitches and got out of it. He had some pretty good stuff, he mixed his pitches well. He used both sides of the plate. And he made pitches when he had to.”
On how he feels at the plate:
“I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve just got to keep working and try to keep things as consistent as possible.”
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