ANDRELTON SIMMONS
On how it compares to some of other walk-off celebrations:
“It was more quick. It wasn’t that bad. It was fun.”
On what makes you thrive in those moments:
“You learn throughout the year. I know I struggled a little bit with runners in scoring position earlier this year. I’ve been learning, took me a while but I have a better idea on what I need to do in those situations and I have great teammates. Every day I watch them do it. Eventually you’re going to learn.”
On what he learned to do differently:
“I knew I didn’t have to do much right there. I had a runner in scoring position. I saw the pitcher work. He liked his offspeed, so I just told myself see the ball and if it’s a heater just react, but see instead of jumping on a fastball.”
On good to have games like this given that playoffs coming:
“Oh yeah. it’s always good to have those close games and come up victorious. It creates that winning habit that we had throughout the year. Keep that coming into the postseason is good.”
On bringing a celebration home:
“It’s not as big or as fun as the other one but we had a couple good walkoffs here. Doing it again is definitely a good show for the fans too.”
On Thornburg:
“He used all his stuff pretty good, the breaking ball to start the at-bats, get a quick strike, elevate the fastball, he had a good change-up. He mixed it up pretty well. So you’ve got to tip your cap to him.”
On Fredi saying took Monday hard, if because of error:
“Yeah. I did everything right on that play yesterday and not making that throw like I wanted to. Not that it killed me but I wasn’t pleased with myself for that.”
On what Garcia has done:
“He’s been big. Just to come in, give the other guys a rest and doing a great job when he’s out there. What else can you ask for from him?”
On if can smell home field advantage:
“Definitely. We’ve been playing the best baseball in the National League for a whole year pretty much. You’ve got to smell it, you’ve got to feel it coming. But we still have to work for it.”
FREDDY GARCIA
On relishing chance last week in season:
“It’s fun when you go out there and do your job and keep the guys in the game, and we need to win. We need to win the best record, to start at home. I just tried to do my job and make a pitch when I need it. That’s what I did tonight.”
On how fun this time of year is, given past playoff history:
“For me it’s a lot of fun because I was in Triple-A. Now I’m a part of something real nice. I’m just trying to enjoy. If I have an opportunity to pitch, I will. Hopefully we’ll win the best record and go from there.”
On wanting to give Fredi something to think about for division series rotation:
“Yeah why not. I just tried to do my job and they make a decision. Hopefully I’ll be there.”
JASON HEYWARD
On playing in some playoff-like close games:
“That’s the kind of, teams are not going to want to give in easy. At-bats are going to be tougher. Pitches are going to make better selections. You have to be a little more patient sometimes. You have to pick your spots. I’m glad we got a taste of it and everybody can see how hard it is to win in the playoffs.”
On another diving catch, having the confidence in jaw:
“I’m having fun. Confidence is not an issue there. Once I was in shape I was ready to go play and whatever happened just hoping the ball is hit my way.”
On how comfortable he is with Simmons up in clutch situations:
“I feel comfortable with anybody, but him especially, he thrives in those spots. He wants to be in those situations. Our lineup we usually put up some pretty good ABs late in the game, especially at home.”
On Garcia:
“Hats off to him, against that’s a part of the season for us, somebody else stepping in and getting the job done. We don’t know what to expect but we do expect to do well. It’s good to see Freddy come in and Woody to step into his role in the bullpen.”
DAVID CARPENTER
On how hungry team is for home field:
“Oh, it’s very important to us. You look at tonight’s game where we battled to get back in the ballgame. Guys are scrapping on the mound with Chief. He went out there and gave us a really quality outing. It had a little bit of a playoff feel to it, I would like to think. I haven’t been there yet but looking forward to it. We battled back like we have all year.”
On opportunity to be in a close game with playoffs coming:
“Absolutely, just kind of gets us fine-tuned. You remain hungry. I think the series in Washington kind of woke us up a little bit. We wanted to go in there and win it but things didn’t work out that way and it kind of lit a fire under us. Woody having the discussion he did (with CB Bucknor), and then Skip with that type of stuff (with Angel Hernandez) but it kind of woke us up and I think it’s a very good opportunity for us right now to get the wheels turning in the right direction and carry it on into the playoffs.”
FREDI GONZALEZ
On Simmons being able to hit the breaking ball too:
“He’s come up big in those situations all year. You feel good. I thought Gomez a bead on it. That ball just kept tailing away on him. He makes adjustments. He comes up big in those situations.”
On if Simmons not fazed by big moment:
“No he isn’t. Internationally, he’s played some big-time games, also in the WBC this year early on. He has got a pretty good temperament. I think he just keeps getting better and better. I know last night’s game ate him up a little bit because of the way we lost the game. He cares about winning and losing. Well, we all know what kind of defender he is. And I think his bat is just going to keep getting better and better as he matures as a major league hitter.”
On Garcia:
“He was outstanding. I think our bullpen was terrific. Freddy gave us a great opportunity. He knows how to maneuver himself through a major league lineup. We made some nice plays defensively out there. Jason made another nice play running the ball down. I thought we had a pretty good approach against Thornburg. Justin hit a couple balls hard. I don’t know how Aoki made that one play, that ball was over his head and he had it beat. If not, he has a couple hits tonight. But overall I thought we played a pretty good baseball game.”
On Garcia continuing to show how he can pitch in big moments:
“He’s done it before. He’s got 12, 13 years in the big leagues and he’s pitched in some playoff (series). He doesn’t rattle. He’s a nice piece we’ve added on to our roster late August, early September. He’s done a nice job.”
On if not looking like best stuff but gets out:
“That’s the way he pitches. He never throws a ball down the middle of the plate. He pitches with his eyes (adjusting from one swing to the next). He knows how to change speeds. He’s throw any pitch at any time. He’s got that confidence in himself to do that. It’s just the way he pitches.”
