Braves quotes after Saturday’s win against Padres

“I knew I was going to have to establish all three. Usually it takes a couple of innings to kind of get the curveball going, but everything felt really good from the get-go. Just mixed pitches pretty nicely. It’s good when me and Mac are on the same page the entire game. I mean, obviously you have the opportunity to shake sometimes. But every time he puts a number down and you like it, you just get it and go, and we got in a pretty good groove.”

Chris Johnson said he hopes the pitchers will be patient with the struggling hitters, that they’ll come around

“I feel like the pitching staff overall has done a pretty good job, has been the backbone of this team. We have an explosive offense, and when they get going it’s a pretty cool thing to see. But that’s our job to pick them up when they’re not going as well. And same thing for us – when we’re struggling, they’ve got to score runs for us. Just what we’ve done all year.”

On stepping it up since Hudson went down

“I mean, it might be coincidence. But you do see your team leader go down and it’s something you definitely notice. I’ve been trying to pitch like this the entire year, and it just hasn’t necessarily happened until now. I talked to Tom Glavine – he was asking the same things before the game – and I said I’ve just simplified. Just done what I needed to work on between starts, and get the ball and go, get the ball and go.”

On pitching well again in the second half

“I don’t know if I’m a second-half guy or whatever it is. I just feel like I’ve clicked, and in a game like this where you don’t have much room for mistakes, you’ve just got to keep it close and execute your pitches, and Freddie had a great swing. It was all downhill from there.”

On Kimbrel, you think he’s just making it interesting for himself when he gives up a homer? (kidding on question)

“Not when it’s 98 (mph). Ninety-two, maybe (laughter). I was in here and they threw out a stat that it was his first run he’s given up since May or something like that. (Rolls eyes.) He’s been unbelievable for us. He’s the guy we look to to close the door.”

**FREDI GONZALEZ

On Medlen’s performance

“Outstanding. He mixed all his pitches up. Boy, we pushed him as far as we could push him. He did a terrific job, and Carpenter came in and got those two big outs there.

“We got the two runs and held on. But Medlen was the star of the game. He was outstanding.”

Do you think Medlen’s pitched like an ace since Hudson went down?

“A lot of guys you can say that about. But his last four or five outings have been really good, off the top of my head. I may be wrong on that, it may be more. He’s been good. He’s been terrific.”

Were you still confident in Kimbrel after giving up the homer and the walk and stolen base?

“Sure. I’d rather it be 2-nothing than 2-1, but you know what, his nerves are pretty good and you feel like he’s going to make some quality pitches. The play that Pauly (Janish) made there, he made it look pretty simple, but it wasn’t. Slow roller with the tying run at second base with two outs – he made a nice play.”

On Chris Johnson’s big two-out hit

“Yeah. We need another couple more like that during the course of the game for my stomach, but those will come. I saw a lot of good at-bats. Chris’ last at-bat, I thought he had a chance to hit that one out of the ballpark, but it didn’t quite go. He gives you quality at-bat night after night.”

On Freeman being the steady hitter through the team’s ups and downs

“Three hits tonight, and a big home run to give us a little cushion. He’s been consistent. He keeps it pretty simple. He and Chris both keep it pretty simple at the plate.”

**CHRIS JOHNSON

Not a lot of offense, but enough clutch hits and runs for Medlen

“Yeah, we had some clutch hits tonight. Our pitching won the game tonight. Hopefully they’ll hang with us (hitters), we’ll get it going. Back end of September, guys are scrapping through it. But we’ll be all right.”

On Medlen stepping it up in the last couple of months

“He’s been awesome. Ever since Huddy went down, our pitching staff’s been amazing. So kudos to him. This win’s for him.”

Another big night for Freeman

“Freddie’s Freddie. He’s amazing. He should be in that MVP talk, for sure. No doubt about it. Kid rakes. He’s amazing.”

**FREDDIE FREEMAN

On Medlen’s string of strong performances

“He’s been pitching great. I think it’s the last 10 or 11 starts he’s been going out and shutting them down. Two runs was enough tonight.”

On your consistency even as most other Braves hitters have had some recent peaks and valleys

“I don’t know, I’ve been healthy this year. Confidence in my eyes. I did have that little DL stint in April (for a strained oblique), but that’s about it. I’ve been able to stick with a routine this year with Walk and Fletch (hitting coaches Greg Walker and Scott Fletcher), and I’ve been able to stay consistent.”

On Chris Johnson coming up with another big two-out hit

“He’s been doing it all year. Once I went down in April, he stepped up, and he’s been doing it for the last five months. We wouldn’t be here without him. He got us on the board early in the game, and I was able to come through in the sixth, and that was enough for Med and the bullpen.”

On Kimbrel giving up a homer to Headley

“The same pitch he hit off Walden last night was the same pitch he hit off Craig tonight, so let’s not throw one down-and-in to him tomorrow.” (smiles)

“He’s given up four homers this year out of (seven) earned runs. What he’s done is incredible. I think that’s his 47th save. Let’s see if we can get him three more.”