PHILADELPHIA — Braves quotes from Dan Uggla, Ervin Santana, Craig Kimbrel and manager Fredi Gonzalez after Monday night's series-opening win at Philadelphia.
**FREDI GONZALEZ
On the wild win
“It seemed almost like two different games. Santana goes out there and pitches one hell of a game. I think he ties his career in strikeouts. And the next thing you know, the next two innings 12 runs are scored. But it’s one of those games where you like to get the win out of that one.
“Avi (Luis Avilan) struggles. Both big innings started with leadoff walks. It’s a situation where both bullpens were in a little flux there. I’m glad we were able to get the win there.”
What about Kimbrel, was there any point you were going to bring him in, in the eighth, the ninth?
“We got anything else before we get to that point? Uggla had a grand slam, we got a couple of home runs – I’ll get to Kimbrel whenever we finish about the game highlights. We had some pretty good offensive numbers. Danny had a great game offensively, made a great play on a ball up the middle to set the game up. Couple of other guys keep swinging the bats – Justin. B.J. had a couple of stolen bases, making some things happen. So it’s a good thing, all those things offensively.”
“Getting back to your question, back to Kimbrel. Kimbrel has got some shoulder soreness, and we’re going day-to-day with him.”
Concerned about it?
“No, no. Not at all. Talking to Craig and talking to the trainers, I think it’s one of those things, every reliever goes through it. Sometimes … if we go out today and the score stays the same (before Phillies’ five-run eighth) you guys don’t even know (that Kimbrel was nursing a sore shoulder). Throughout the season, guys are hurt and banged up, and if they’re not the closer in a save situation, nobody would even know it. You give guys some days off. I’m not concerned at all.”
Cropped out over weekend?
“When was the last time he saved? Saturday? So yeah, right after that.”
On taking Santana out after 96 pitches
“That was the plan going in. He had just over 90 pitches and they got people on base; they were taking innings. It wasn’t like the other day where he had 85 (88) pitches and didn’t really have anything going on. We’ll build off that, in his next start hopefully give him another 10-15 pitches.”
On coming back after giving up five runs in the bottom of the eighth, what does that say about your team?
“Well, it’s a resilient squad. And in this ballpark, we’ve seen it enough, seen it a lot of different times. It’s a ballpark that’s not forgiving. If you make a mistake it’s going to be in the seats. If you walk people and make a mistake, it’s a crooked number. But our club hits.”
Given Kimbrel situation, how pleased to see Carpenter get it done in ninth?
“Really pleased. Obviously we know that (Kimbrel was out) from the very beginning of the game, so we were trying to get to (Carpenter) with Avi pitching the eighth. I thought Avi was the perfect man to face all those left-handers. He walks the leadoff guy and all of a sudden here comes the big boys, and they made him pay for it.”
More on Santana
“I’ve been so impressed with him, being able to mix his pitches and, by the way, it’s still 93, 94 mph. And he’s got command, he’s got some life, he’s got some other stuff. He knows how to pitch. I’ve been really happy with him.”
**CRAIG KIMBREL
On his sore shoulder
“Nothing major, just no reason to push it this early in the year. Take a few days off, be ready to go.”
“It’s something that I’ve felt through spring training. Nothing that really hinders me on the field. Just a little uncomfortable, but like I said, just take a few days off.”
Frustrating to be out in the ‘pen and watch the late innings not being able to pitch?
“Yeah. I mean, my job is to go in there and close the game in save situations. Anytime I’m sitting back watching, it’s tough. But we played well tonight and Carp went out and did a good job in the ninth.”
So it’s nothing major, just typical soreness?
“Being a pitcher, things get sore every now and then. So, going to take a few days and then get right back out there.”
**DAN UGGLA
“We have a lot of guys who can change the game with one swing. Just a matter of if we do it or not. Tonight we were able to put some at-bats together. We didn’t have much going on early, but we ended up getting to them and were able to come out of there with a win.”
On his approach in grand-slam at-bat
“Oh, man, you just kind of hope you get something – you hope he doesn’t throw a strike, or you hope that he leaves something up, because he’s got such great stuff. He throws so hard, you just go up and try to get your foot down and put the barrel on it.”
What was the pitch?
“No, it was a slider. He threw a fastball first pitch and I was kind of, like, oh, man, this is going to be tough. But he threw a slider, and luckily I just got enough of it.”
On Gattis getting the homer train started
“He had a great at-bat and gave us the lead early on, then came up again and did it again. It’s always fun to see big man hit it hard like that.”
On Simmons’ surprising power
“Simba’s strong, man. People probably overlook him because he plays shortstop and he’s kind of slender. But he’s thick underneath those clothes, and he’s very wiry-strong. So yeah, he’s got some juice. If you leave it over the plate, he’ll get you.”
On Santana
“We’re so glad he’s on our team. He comes out and does his thing, focused, takes if very seriously. He was electric tonight. Throwing hard, all his stuff was sharp, his changeup was nasty, everything was nasty. He’s awesome, man.”
**ERVIN SANTANA
On staying strong throughout, getting in a groove last couple of innings
“I feel great, that’s the main thing. I was throwing a lot of strikes and keeping the ball down for the most part. Everything was good for us – defense, offense, so … what else do you need?”
On team coming back, lot of power
“Well, I’ve seen it before, so why not see it in real life with the team? They (Braves) are very aggressive and they know how to hit.”
On coming out of the game after six
“It’s up to the manager. I just stay with the plan, and if he wants to take me out, take me out.”
On Hernandez, chatter between you guys after couple of at-bats
“We’re very, very good friends. We’re close, so we’re just joking around. Nothing personal.”
Anything to prove after not being signed this winter, etc?
“People know what I can do. I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. Just be me when I take the mound.”
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