Braves quotes from Jace Peterson, Julio Teheran and Fredi Gonzalez after Sunday’s win against the Phillies.
**FREDI GONZALEZ
On Teheran’s good outing to end his 10-start road drought
“He commanded all his pitches today, and he pitched in to both sides of the plate. He did a nice job. His secondary pitches were working, his command was really good, he wiggled out of a couple of situations, especially in the seventh inning. Can’t ask for anything more than that. I think that was his first one in a long time on the road. But he didn’t walk many people (none) and he did a nice job.”
Nice to see Jace snap out of his recent funk and help Teheran get a win?
“You know, he seems to come up big with runners in scoring position. Got a three-run homer to get us the lead, and we kept the lead. Jonny Gomes had a nice at-bat to add on a run later in the game. Good overall win, really. McKirahan came in in the eighth inning and Vizcaino in the ninth, and I think the more we can put Vizcaino in those situations, bring him along and develop him as a back-of-the-bullpen guy, I think it’ll be beneficial for him.”
Teheran threw slider and commanded inside part of plate, did it kind of look like the old Teheran?
“It sure did. And I know that him and Roger had worked on some stuff in his side session and he was really happy with himself coming out (of game today), in the eighth inning him and Roger had a good conversation. So that was good. That was a nice, productive side session.”
On play by Freeman, diving stop on Howard’s ground ball down line with two on and two out
“With people on base. If that ball gets in that corner it’s a little different ballgame. And Freeman hit three balls right on the nose. With nothing to show for it, but he made a great defensive play at first, hit hit a ball to right-center, left-center, he hit two rockets – so it’s nice to see him getting his timing back.”
On winning last game of a long trip
“It’s big. It’s always nice to get the win when you get on the plate, help your flight going home. And you never know, I think once you win a game, you feel like there’s a winning streak starting anytime. So hopefully we can get a couple in a row here.”
Scored six runs today after scoring only 16 in the previous 10 games
“Our offense has been OK, as far as getting hits. We haven’t been driving them in, but I think for the most part we’ve been getting eight or nine hits a game, we just haven’t been driving in runs. That’s what’s important, that first column (runs), not the hits column. I liked the approach, we put the ball in play and today we were able to get the three-run homer from Jace and put a crooked number up.”
**JACE PETERSON
On the win and his part
“Julio threw great. Great to get a win and also to contribute. Hopefully we can keep it going and stay at it.”
You had three hits, beginning with the bunt single and then the three-run homer….
“I felt good up there. Baseball’s a funny game, so you’ve just got to keep going, keep swinging, keep working, and eventually it’ll turn. But like I said, good team win. We didn’t want to get swept here in Philly, so it’s good to get that win the last day and go home with a win.”
Did you see a more aggressive Teheran today?
“Yeah, I feel like his last few outings he’s been pretty aggressive. He’s been in the zone, throwing all his pitches, commanding everything and keeping them off balance. Yeah, I definitely saw that look. He gave us a chance to win, and we won.”
On Teheran working out of jams with his back against the wall in 5th and 7th innings
“Yeah, I think they had (runners on) first and second, no outs, and he got out of it. He’s been doing it all year. It’s good when we can give him some run support, and hopefully we can keep it going.”
Any doubt in your mind that ball was gone as soon as you hit it?
“No, I knew I got it. Two-0 pitch and I was looking heater, and he threw it to me, so I put a good swing on it.”
Teheran got his first road win since opening day, nice to make sure he got it?
“Yeah, it’s not just because of me. But yeah, for sure, to be able to contribute and help the team win is huge. He’s pitched well enough to get more than one win on the road. Like I said, hopefully he stays at it and we stay at it.”
Nice to get a win and be going home after long trip?
“Yeah, ready to get back home and get it rocking.”
**JULIO TEHERAN
Did you feel good from the first pitch today?
“Yeah, I felt really good. My mindset was trying to win this game. I know our team has been a little slow this road trip. I was just trying to do my best and get a win and go back home.”
What specially did you have working today that you’ve been working on, that was a difference-maker?
“I think it was my fastball, I commanded it really well today. And trying to keep the hitters off-balance, that was the big thing that I did today.”
Did you and Roger (McDowell) talk about that the other day (side session), being more aggressive?
“Yeah, that’s what we’ve been working on, trying to command my fastball better, get in fastball counts with the hitters. Just trying to command my fastball, and that’s what I did today. My changeup was working really good. I was on the same page with Ryan (Lavarnway), we kind of knew what pitch we wanted, and that’s something that makes a difference.”
Did you feel like you had your old attitude back, commanding inside part of plate and being more aggressive?
“Yeah, I was aggressive the whole time, trying to pitch inside a little more. That’s something I haven’t done a lot, but every time I do it it’s kind of like a different game. Trying to do it more.”
On getting 4-1 lead, and importance of snuff their rally when they scored a run and threatened to get more before Howard groundout with two on
“That was a big thing. Whenever you’ve got the lead, you don’t want to lose it. That’s what I felt today. Do my best and try to help the team, that was our only chance to win (a game in the series).”
You like this ballpark? (1.95 ERA in four starts at Philly)
“Yeah, that’s the ballpark where I got my debut. So every time I come here, it’s like I’m excited.”
On working with Lavarnway
“Every time we work together we get on the same page. Same thing with A.J. So I’m just trying to work. We’ll see what happens the next game.”
