Quotes from manager Fredi Gonzalez and several players following the Braves' 2-1 loss to the Dodgers Friday.
**FREDI GONZALEZ
On J. Upton being called out on play in 10th inning, replays showed he was safe
“It’s a fast game. I didn’t think it was as close as (umpire C.B. Bucknor) thought it was. You would like to take an opportunity with Freeman at the plate, runners on first and third and your hottest hitter at the plate. That didn’t happen, and that last inning there, two wild pitches and we end up losing the game.”
“What are you going to do? Come back out tomorrow. We swung the bats well; I thought all the guys swung the bats well. We end up getting (eight) hits and only one run. See good stuff from B.J., he smoked a couple of balls. Uggla got an RBI single. Freeman and Heyward are swinging the bats. You start to feel good about that.”
More on what Bucknor said
“He thought it was closer than we thought in the dugout. And that’s his judgment. Obviously it’s the judgment that counts, really. I haven’t seen the replay, but in real (time), I didn’t even think it was that close. After this and I go watch the film, I think I’m going to be pretty correct on that.”
On Maholm
“Pauly was outstanding. That’s back-to-back outings from our starters that were terrific, Huddy yesterday and Paul today were two outstanding outings and we got two L’s out of it. It is what it is. We scored one run in 19 innings. That’s the way it goes sometimes.”
“He induced three double plays, had those guys swinging early. He did a heck of a job. And our bullpen did. Walden did a good job coming in, and also Luis (Avilan).”
Sort of cruel irony, such a well-pitched game, then lose after two wild pitches in 10th
“That’s the way baseball is sometimes. It’s a cruel game. We had some opportunities offensively, and had maybe two of the best back-to-back outings we’ve had (in a series). Then you go back to Teheran on Wednesday, that’s three pretty good outings we’ve had out of our starters.”
On Walden
“He’s been in that situation before, when he was a closer with the Angels. He doesn’t panic. He’s a big part of our bullpen. Keep him healthy, keep him in that role, and we’re going to be OK.”
**JUSTIN UPTON
Did replay show what you thought to be the case on the play at first base (Upton called out in 10th)
“Yeah. I hustled down the line and didn’t get rewarded for it.”
More aggravating knowing Freeman was up next, would’ve had runners on corners?
“Absolutely. There’s nobody on this team that we want to come up to the plate other than him. It’s unfortunate that it happened the way it did and he didn’t come up to the plate. The way he’s swinging the bat, I mean, to be honest, that’s one of the only dudes you want up there in that situation.”
On arguing with Bucknor after the call, glad Pendleton intervened?
“I wasn’t surprised (by the call), so I wasn’t going to do anything to jeapordize me staying in the game. I wasn’t the least bit surprised.”
**ANTHONY VARVARO
On his two wild pitches in 10th
“Just trying to get some balls below the zone there, to induce a ground ball there. I guess it just skipped the wrong way.”
Worst way to lose one as pitcher?
“I mean, yeah. I’d rather it leave the yard. But that was kind of what the plan was, throw breaking balls out of the zone. And it kind of bit me there.”
Not much room for error on those pitches
“Yeah, for me that pitch is a 12-6 (vertical curve), so if I’m throwing it below the zone it’s either going to be right above the dirt of in the dirt, so…”
Oddest way to end a game?
“Not the oddest way. It’s been done before. But the worst way, I would say.”
**EVAN GATTIS
On the two wild pitches by Varvaro in 10th
“I’m more disappointed in myself and disappointed for Varvaro. I mean, I did everything to block the ball, and I didn’t block the ball. That’s basically all I have.”
“I did everything to block it, and I didn’t block it. I didn’t get the job done.”
On the first wild pitch
“I got a glove on it. I was disappointed that I didn’t at least keep that somewhere. Treat your glove like a chest protector and at least knock it down, keep it around.”
On facing Jansen, who you homered off last time
“Just trying to put the ball in play, hard. Same approach as always. Unfortunately, the best pitch I got to hit was probably the first one, and for whatever reason that cut, and it just kind of threw me off, so I just shut it down. I swung at a pitch borderline, maybe out of the zone, down and away. And I flew out on it. I’m disappointed.”
**PAUL MAHOLM
On his efficiency tonight, all the ground balls
“My whole game plan is to attack the bottom of the zone and get some groundballs. As soon as I got a guy on, my whole thing was to get a double play. The infield took care of me and Simba (Simmons) made a lot of groundball outs. It was a good night.
“The home run (by Puig), to be honest I missed by about three feet. So I was more mad not that he hit a home run, but that it was supposed to be bounced in front of the plate, nowhere he could hit it, and set up another pitch. But he’s hot and I hung (a curveball). I guess it’s how it’s going for them right now.”
On the lack of runs
“We’ve got a great offense. You’ve just got to go out there and give them a chance. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to capitalize on a couple of situations when we got him deep into pitch counts and some runners on. And they took advantage of the couple of situations that they had.”
On Puig
“Obviously he’s come up, he’s hot. But I got him out easy the first two times. I missed with a curveball on a pitch and he hit a home run. He’s hot, and that happens. But let’s not crown him a Hall of Famer yet. Let’s watch him. Obviously he’s talented. The league’s going to make adjustments to him, and he’s going to have to make adjustments. He’s a free-swinger, so you’ve just got to make your pitches.”
On being replaced in 8th inning
“I was kind of hoping to obviously get Hernandez out and be able to go nine innings. Or eight, and us score in the ninth and Craig come in. It was one of those nights where I felt good with my sinker and my changeup. A guy gets on second (with one out in the eight), it’s not a guarantee I’m going to strike a guy out. I understand that part. Overall I felt good, felt like I was making my pitches and getting some easy groundballs and not letting them hit the ball hard….”
