**FREDI GONZALEZ
On Laird and his clutch hits past two days
“He’s supposed to be a guy that fills in once a week, twice a week. We’ve played him four days in a row now and he’s come up big. He sticks his nose in there and he’s going to make contact. And he’s been there and done that — a couple World Series situations, a couple World Series teams — so these situations, he likes it. And good for us that we have that type of guy that can step in and catch four or five days in a row if we have to.”
On bullpen doing well again, Avilan big out
“Big comebacker, big pitch there with men in scoring position and I thought Gavin was outstanding. Yeah the bullpen couple nights in a row now, they’ve done a terrific job whether it’s Thomas and Woody the other day holding the other team to those four runs and for us to be able to catch up, or Avi today coming up with the big out. And also Carp in the eighth and then Kimbrel in the ninth inning.”
On Chris Johnson coming out of the game
“He’s going to talk to you guys about that. He’s going to address you guys about that. It wasn’t an injury.”
On Floyd being what you wanted
"Yeah he was terrific. I think he gave up, only two hard hit balls, really the home run and the double off the wall. I thought Danny made an unbelievable play on that ball that they ended up scoring a run on that play there that we challenge. I think it's one of those you don't know what's going to happen, but I had a gut feeling that why not, early in the game, but it's going to be a big run. It sure could have been. Heads up play by Danny flipping that ball back to Simmons. But Gavin was terrific. Every time you run him out there he gives you a great chance to win a ballgame."
On three good at-bats from Pena in last-minute duty after Johnson pulled from game
“I think the second at-bat he lined to deep center and he got the gap there, so that was good. And that’s what he can do. he’s a guy off the bench that can give you good at-bats.”
**CHRIS JOHNSON
On getting pulled from the game
I let my emotions get the best of me tonight, came in in the tunnel and blew up a little bit and that’s dangerous to do. And there were some people down there that weren’t too happy about it, and I apologized to the team about that after the game and to Pena for having to pick me. I’m sorry to the Atlanta fans, the people who came out to watch me play today. But that’s just one of my demons. That’s one of those things I’ve got to try to get through and get better at. And I’m going to start that starting tomorrow.
You said there were some people down there?
“Well, up top (in the tunnel). That’s how somebody could get hurt, and I think that was the point of it, is to kind of teach me a lesson, that that could hurt somebody or myself. And I agree with them 100 percent. I let me emotions get the best of me tonight.
As far as you’re concerned is it over with?
“Yeah, I’ve addressed the team and apologized to them for … it’s like getting tossed out of a game or something in the first inning. Pena has to go in and get ambushed and the team doesn’t know what’s going on and I let my emotions get the best of me. And first and foremost I wanted to talk to the team and let them know that I was deeply sorry for that, and that I was going to work my butt off to fix that part of my game.”
**GERALD LAIRD
On coming through second night in a row in clutch situation
“It felt good. I mean, I’m obviously off to a slow start at the plate but I felt like the last week or so I’ve been taking better swings and my swing is coming along real well. I feel like I’m kind of back to where I was last year when I was hitting some balls hard and finding some holes, and tonight I got some balls up and was able to put some good swings on them.”
So those who were concerned you might be tired need not be?
“No, no (laughs). It’s just a matter of me getting good pitches to hit. Like I talk to Walk, I’ve been working with him on trying to get back to where I was. We figured some things out and the last week or so I felt better at the plate. I’m seeing the ball a lot better and, like today it’s just nice to contribute especially when you know you’ve got to fill in when the big white bear is out.”
On Floyd
“He’s fun to catch. He’s a complete pitcher. He has all four pitches working. Too bad we couldn’t get him a win, but he’s pitching like we thought he would. He’s keeping us in games. He’s throwing the ball really well and we’re working really good together. It’s one of those things where I feel like after the first game we kind of meshed. I like being back there for him. I know he competes, he’s a gamer, and it’s fun to be back there.”
On Fredi joking before game that Laird was getting cranky from playing so many games in a row
“They’re just giving me a hard time, but I’m like, ‘I’m ready to go any day.’ That’s my job. Like I said, I’m here when he needs days. Obviously he’s been under the weather, so if it’s four, five, six, seven in a row, I’ll do it. I feel good right now. My body feels good. It’s one of those things where sometimes like, when you’re feeling good, you want to play more. But I know my time’s coming to go back to the bench. But like I said, I just want to contribute when I’m called upon, and I was able to do that.”
**GAVIN FLOYD
On his start
“I felt good. Gerald called a great game, he was great behind there blocking and calling the game. I tried to execute as many pitches as I could. I knew they were a tough team. First time seeing them, too. So I knew I had to be tough out there. I felt like Gerald called a good game.
“I didn’t execute a pitch against Cuddyer with two strikes; that was painful. We’ll think about that one for a little bit. But make sure late in the game, after seeing the team a couple of times through (the order) I’ve got to make better pitches, especially in that situation.”
Looking like you were maybe overthrowing early
“You’re always as a pitcher trying to find a rhythm, and sometimes you get excited and sometimes you go out there and try to give even more. It’s a constant flow to things, because there’s sometimes when you feel real excited and you get after it and you throw a great pitch. So it’s part of the game and you just try to make adjustments through the game.”
**B.J. UPTON
On getting some contributions from other people past two nights, instead of just the same 2-3 guys
“It’s a team sport. Everybody on this team can do it. Some guys came through in the clutch.”
On getting a homer last night, double tonight, no strikeouts
“Just keep working.”
On Gerald Laird filling in and coming up big
“G can play, man. He’s always been able to play.”
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