NEW YORK — Braves quotes from Aaron Harang, Chris Johnson, Freddie Freeman, Andrelton Simmons and manager Fredi Gonzalez after Friday's 6-0 win against the Mets and Harang's seven no-hit innings.
**FREDI GONZALEZ
On Harang and the game
“He had some people on base and got out of those big jams. And the offense woke up there in the bottom of the eighth inning and added on some runs. And we were able to get some guys in there who haven’t pitched in a while, Avilan and Walden. But up and down the lineup, we had multiple guys with at least a couple of hits and driving in some big runs. So it was a good night for the Braves.”
On Harang, facing him in the past compared to what he’s doing now
“Every time I faced him, he always gave his team an opportunity to win, and so far that’s the case. I’m still watching that, but from our side now. He’s a big guy (6 feet 5), downhill. His move is deceptive. He throws any pitch, any time, even the last pitch of the seventh inning, the 3-2 breaking pitch that won that game. He’s not afraid to do that. And that comes from hanging around, being around the league. And you feel good that he’s going to give you a good outing.”
Did you consider bringing him out for at least a couple of more batters in the eighth?
“No, not at all. I want him pitching 27 more times. If it was the ninth inning, maybe think about it a little bit. But he’s 35 years old, 121 pitches, he had no chance (of us sending him back in). I told him to blame me. Said when you guys ask him, tell him it was my fault.”
Did you have a pitch count in your head, where you wouldn’t send him back out?
“Yeah – 121.” (Kidding)
Almost a relief that the pitch count got to where it did instead of 110 or 115, make the decision easier after 7?
“No, it’s not a relief. Because all of a sudden, you may let him go out there in the eighth inning (if it was lower). I’m pulling for him. I want to see him throw a no-hitter. But I think it gets to a point where you’ve got to worry about 25 more starts. You’ve got to worry about his longevity, and all that kind of stuff. I think we made the right decision, and it doesn’t matter who comes in and tells me different.”
When he came in after 7th inning, did you basically shake his hand and say that’s it?
“He fought, just like you would expect him to fight; he’s a competitor. But I explained to him that I want him out there another 25, 27 times, and he understood. It’s a guy who’s been around a little bit. There’s no sense going out there when all of a sudden you’ve got 140 pitches and you’re still trying to chase that dragon, and all of a sudden he can’t make his next start.”
“He understood the decision. It’s nice dealing with guys who are professionals like he is. He understood it was in his best interest. Now, he’ll get them in his next start.”
On Freeman’s two hits including two-run homer
“Well, his best friend’s Chipper Jones, and Chipper did a lot of damage here. So maybe Chipper gave him some pointers how to hit here against the Mets.”
More on what scenario would’ve left Harang in
“If he has a clean seventh and his pitch count is 107, 108, you run him out there (in eighth). Because you’re a fan and you want him to do well and you want him to get that no-hitter. But I think it gets to a point where you try to chase that no-hitter, chase that dragon, and the next thing you know you look up and it’s going to be 140. And that doesn’t do anybody any good.”
On Freeman staying with play and throwing to 3rd base for “fourth out” after close play at 1st, in case called safe
“Yeah, we talked about it in spring training two or three times, play the play out. If you’re a baserunner, run until the play is over with, because you could get an extra base if they decide to advance the runner on a (overturned) replay. Freeman was heads-up to get the runner (at third). He felt it was going to be a bang-bang play at first. We get the out at third base. I haven’t even looked at the replay to see if he would have been safe or not (if they challenged call at first). But it was close. It didn’t matter if they would have overturned it (because) we got the other out at third base.”
**AARON HARANG
Ever have anything like that happen to you before, pulled with a no-hitter going?
“Uh-huh. In 2011, (Padres manager) Bud Black did the same thing. I was coming off a rehab start, had 85 pitches through six (innings), no hits.
“I fought (Fredi Gonzalez) to go back out there, but looking at my best interests, it was a smarter play. Because you never want to see a guy go out (of the game) throwing a no-hitter. If I’m through eight right there, I’m going back out. Because I went two outs in the seventh on three pitches, then 22 pitches later, walked two guys and get a guy 3-2 (before striking him out). If I got a quick inning and got the third guy out, I’m going back out there.
“But it’s Fredi looking out for me, he wants me to pitch the rest of the year. He doesn’t want me to, all of a sudden maybe you have to skip me the next start because I’ve got 150 pitches, then I’m not the same.
“So yeah, it’s definitely him trying to take care of his players. He knows I’m a competitor, he knows I’m going to go out there and keep pitching. As a manager, I know it’s probably the hardest decision that he’s ever going to have to make. Bud Black has told me the same thing. He goes, ‘You know I hate doing that. But I’ve got to look out for you. I know if you had the chance you’d go back out there.’
“You look back and appreciate those things when your manager’s looking out for you and taking care of you, making sure you’re going to make your next start and many more starts throughout the season.”
When did you start to think about it being a no-hitter?
“I wasn’t really paying much attention. I mean, I was having fairly quick innings, I wasn’t in a lot of situations with runners on third and real pressure situations. I knew if I had a quick seventh that I would probably be going back out for the eighth. (But) it was never anything that was really crossing my mind at the time. I was just trying to get through each inning, one out at a time.”
“You kind of get lost in it with the walks, and getting into the stretch, it’s just one of those things you don’t really think about. But yeah, later in the game you look up there and realize, oh, something’s going on right here. It was intense, but I know Fredi’s making sure I can be ready to make my next start and the rest of my starts this year.”
What was working for you?
“I was just able to move the ball around the zone. Fastball was moving, my cutter was working well, I was locating on both sides of the plate. And me and Evan, we got on the same page right away. Having faced these guys two starts ago, it helps out when you’re coming off an outing against them recently and you know all those guys in their lineup.”
On what’s allowed him to have success he’s having this year, after the 2013 season he had with Seattle
“I really don’t know. I’m just going out there trying to execute pitches and give us a chance to win. Just been able to locate really well and keep the ball down in the zone. And not really give guys anything over the middle of the plate, anything good to hit.”
On doing this at 35, how have you been able to get off to such a good start?
“I worked out hard this whole offseason, just waiting for somebody to give me a call and give me a shot. When things didn’t work out in Cleveland the Braves called right away. I knew the situation with Medlen and Beachy going down, so I knew it was going to be an opportunity to get to pitch and get to pitch on a good team, a very competitive team. I’m just going out there trying to focus every time I take the mound and trying to get deep in the game and give us a chance to win.”
“I get put into a situation where I’m going to get to go out there and pitch, and you make it a hard decision on the organization to have to figure something out (when others come off the DL). But I’m just going to take this in tonight, then go out and start getting ready tomorrow for my game on Wednesday.”
Think the Indians regret releasing you?
“Oh, I’m not … That’s how baseball works. Baseball works in weird ways. I still keep in touch with some of those guys and keep track of how they’re doing and stuff. It’s a good group of guys over there; I really felt like I fit in well. But I fit in really well here, too. I’m really excited with how things are going, and we’re playing well.”
What you told Fredi after the seventh
“I said, I’m good, I’ve got this. Just have somebody up and ready to go. And he’s like – he’s biting his lip – he’s like, ‘Dude, I hate doing this.’ But the fact that I went through it a couple of years ago in San Diego, I know how it works. You see guys get hurt and they’re just not the same afterward because they threw a ton of pitches. It’s just the track record. So you’ve got to commend him for being able to put his foot down and say, I don’t want to be responsible for you getting hurt when I have a say in it right now.”
**ANDRELTON SIMMONS
On what Harang’s veteran presence has meant to the rotation
“It’s real important. We have a lot of young guys, and I’m sure whenever they need advice or want to talk a little about pitching, he’s a go-to guy. And, I mean, he’s been doing great on the field. He’s been lights-out.”
**CHRIS JOHNSON
What’s Harang meant to the team?
“A lot. After what happened in spring training, and the way we kind of felt about it – there were a lot of guys in here who were pretty down about losing those two guys (Medlen and Beachy), and to have him step up like this has been amazing. We have confidence in everybody we have here, but what he’s doing right now… He’s one of the best pitchers in baseball. It’s really fun to watch.”
When do you start thinking about the no-hit bid?
“I was probably more nervous than him. About the fifth inning. You go through the fifth and every play you’re on your toes and go, if this ball is anywhere close I’m diving for it. I’m trying to do something.”
On what Harang’s experience has meant to rotation
“It’s huge. He’s always talking to people too. He’s always talking to the young guys, mentoring them, working with them. He’s done this for a long time, and I don’t think he’s anywhere near stopping. He’s been incredible.”
**FREDDIE FREEMAN
What’s Harang meant to the team?
“He’s been huge. Starting with the veteran presence he brings – he’s a great clubhouse guy. And the way he’s been throwing the ball, you couldn’t ask for any more than what he’s given us so far. Our starting pitching through 16 games has been something special. It’s incredible what they’re doing. Unfortunately Aaron had to pitch with a one-run lead. Of course after he comes out we get (five) runs. But he pitched unbelievable. He didn’t need our help tonight.”
On staying with the play and throwing to third base after the potentially reviewable third out at first base
“I knew it was going to be a bang-bang play at first, and I saw Lucas rounding second. I didn’t want to leave it to the umpire. I might as well throw the ball just in case he calls him safe. And by the replay it looked like he was safe, so if I didn’t continue the play he would have been safe at first and it would have been a first-and-third situation. So I just wanted to finish the play and throw it.
“It’s definitely different. I’ve never really gone for a fourth out before, but I knew it was going to be close. I just didn’t want to leave it in the umpire’s hands in that situation.”
“I didn’t hear anything (umpire’s call at first base). Once I caught the ball I threw it to third and then I looked and saw him call the out (at first base).”
More on Harang
“Our whole starting staff has been incredible, especially what he’s doing. He came over here at the very end of spring training and he’s just been lights-out. If he can keep doing that it’ll be pretty special. But hopefully we can get some runs for him.”
