After being shut out on Monday, the Braves grinded out a 3-1 win over the Phillies on Tuesday.
Brandon McCarthy provided 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball. Ozzie Albies was a force, knocking a solo homer in the third and scoring an important insurance run in the ninth.
Here’s what the Braves said after the win, which ensured they’ll leave Philadelphia retaining first place:
Manager Brian Snitker:
On Ozzie Albies:
“(He was in the middle of) Everything. It’s great. That was a great read on the single to score on that because those guys probably played it safe and he reacted and played that real well. That’s a huge run in a game like this.”
On the bullpen:
“Again, really, really good. (Sam Freeman) Sammy’s well rested. That’s a big strikeout there. Minter got in a little jam after the swinging bunt and it’s a tough part of their lineup to navigate, that’s for sure. They did a great job.”
On Brandon McCarthy:
“He was really good again. Held his stuff. Went out there in the sixth and stuff was still really good. That was good to see how he backed up his last one.”
On the Phillies:
“These guys are really, really good. You can tell we’ve played them 11 times. We’re really familiar with each other. There are some really good pitchers out there who know what they’re doing and can command their stuff. And it’s tough.”
Starter Brandon McCarthy:
On his performance:
“I’d like to have the run back, but otherwise I felt like the rest of the game I was able to execute most of the things I was able to do.”
On continuing success from his last outing:
“It didn’t feel like it in warmups. I was throwing in the bullpen and thought this could be a mess. Then somehow the game started and I was fine and felt back to normal. Kind of a continuation of trying to throw quality pitches, quality strikes. Hit spots instead of areas, comfortable misses, and did a good job with that.”
On facing (and defeating) the Phillies four times:
“Mostly execution. The first few times you face them, there could be some surprises they haven’t seen yet. By the fourth time through, especially in the span of five weeks, there’s no more surprises. They know where the ball’s going. You just have to make sure you execute …”
On his increased velocity:
“The last two starts, it’s more trying to throw like an adult again, I guess. Really committing to throwing pitches where I want to. Trying to throw hard through it and less guiding it, less hoping things will happen and more trying to take things that’ll happen. I didn’t think the velo would shoot up the way it has the last two, but I’m not going to argue with it.”
On his at-bat with the bases loaded, in which he struck out to end the inning:
“I was thinking I had zero chance about (Vince) Velasquez in that at-bat. It’s bases loaded, you can try to do something, and then I realize I can do nothing, I’m just here for decoration. Then just going out for the next inning, pitching became secondary. Just want to make sure I didn’t hurt myself.”
Second baseman Ozzie Albies:
On the game:
“Just having fun out there. Just trying to win ballgames.”
Scoring on Ronald Acuna’s single:
“When the ball came off the bat, I saw the shortstop and I said I’m going for the plate to score because we need that run.”
Playing with Acuna:
“Always been fun. We’re going to keep it going and have fun with it.”
