Braves quotes after Monday night’s 5-4 walk-off win against the Reds, which ended with a first-pitch homer by Ozzie Albies to start the 11th inning.
**OZZIE ALBIES
On telling Danny Santana he was going to hit a homer before his 11th-inning at-bat:
“I told Santana it’s time to go long right now, it’s time to go deep. So I went with one mentality of hitting a home run on that AB.”
So you were going to ambush him, jump on that first pitch?
“I mean, I was just trying to see a pitch, to get a pitch I could drive, and drive it.”
You also had two doubles tonight. Feeling locked in?
“Just seeing the ball and trying to put a good swing on it.”
On adjustments he’s made to have so much more success last few days
“I’m just thinking short and quick, and just try to hit the ball back to the pitcher. I’m trying to just hit the ball where it’s pitched. If it’s a ball I know I can hit, try to put the quick swing on it.”
On him and Inciarte getting on base so much again recently
“It’s been great. Hopefully we keep doing that for the team and be on base so the big boys can drive us in.”
On hitting his first walk-off homer
“It felt amazing. One of the most excited times you can feel, when you do that for the team.”
On approaching the plate, teammates waiting to mob him
“I was just smiling, knowing they were going to hit me with dirt, powder, whatever they’ve got. It’s fun.”
On the bullpen
“They came in and did their job, hold the team down and don’t let them score runs so we can score runs and win the game.”
**BRIAN SNITKER
On Ozzie Albies’ impact:
“He’s our go-to guy. I don’t know. He just never ceases to amaze me. Some of the plays he made defensively, just the range, the accuracy in his arm. That last inning, that play was really good. And he’s started swinging the bat. He’s making adjustments and he’s been a real stellar guy.”
On Albies’ aggressiveness:
“He’s aggressive, there’s no doubt he’s aggressive. He hasn’t seen a pitch yet he doesn’t like. But he’s on the attack. He’s an aggressive hitter. That’s what makes him what he is. He’s having a heck of a year.”
On the relievers:
“It’s great. They’re doing a great job because they’re on fumes. They’ve been rode really, really hard this last week and they’re doing a great job. When the phone rings, they’re answering the bell and pitching. They did a great job today.”
“I didn’t want to taste that again, what happened a few days ago. It takes a while to regroup from something like that. So this was a big one to win.”
“That’s a lot of innings those guys are covering. Hopefully we end up reversing the trend here soon and the starters get stretched out and we can piece it together and give some guys some rest.”
Credit: John Bazemore
Credit: John Bazemore
On Foltynewicz’s first start back from the DL:
“Folty looked great. He looked healthy from the get-go. He had a good warm-up. It was what you wanted out of him. On the eve of a five-inning start, you knew he probably wasn’t going to go more than five, and if he’d went six that would’ve been really good. Stuff was really good, alive. He felt good. It was a good outing and made you feel good about him.”
On using Lucas Sims, who started the sixth and gave up the 3-1 lead:
“He was the most rested guy. I didn’t want to get to a couple (of relievers) we pitched. I was hoping that somebody would’ve done that in the ninth inning, the eighth inning. A couple guys that pitched tonight I didn’t want to use. We were forced to use them. They could’ve used another day (off). At that point of the game, Lucas was the most rested guy down there so that’s who you have to go with.”
Was Jesse Biddle one of the relievers you wanted to rest?
“Biddle was one of those guys. Luke (Lucas Jackson) was one of those guys. Mint (A.J. Minter) was fine. I held him for the ninth inning. I’d have loved to give those guys another day but they did great.”
More on Biddle:
“He’s done a great job, great job. It’s been a really good thing to see. You never know who that guy is, who those guys are that are going to burst onto the scene when they get an opportunity and run with it. He’s done a great job.”
When Snitker and trainer went out to check on Biddle:
“I just saw him (loosening) his shoulder. He assured us he was fine. He said he couldn’t get it firing in the bullpen and was just trying to get it going. He said he felt great so I trust him. You’re cautious with a guy like him with what he’s been through, and now the use he’s doing. He assured us he felt great. He was just trying to get a little blood going.”
**MIKE FOLTYNEWICZ:
On his first start back from the DL:
“I’m really happy I went that far. Just a little rusty. Just threw some pitches that weren’t competitive at all, got behind in counts, a lot of 3-2 counts but made it into the fifth. Overall I felt great. I’m not too worried about that. It’s just getting back to the fastball command now and making better pitches.”
On whether he was eager to get back out there:
“A lot. We just have the conversation before I went on the DL for what we should do. When I go out there and pitch, I’m just glad all that’s behind us and taken care of. Still going to get treatment and all that fun stuff on it, just excited to be back with the team now.”
On the 80-minute rain delay before first pitch:
“We’re used to it by now, as much as it happens around here. You just have to stay loose. I was in the next room hanging out with my son. That kept me a little bit loose. A lot of the time you can mentally lose your mind sometimes. I’m just happy to be playing and you can just get cold right away. I’m glad we got this game in and got a win out of a long night. Body feels good.”
On Ender and Ozzie at top of the order:
“They’ve been amazing. Seems like they’re up at the start of each inning tonight. Hat’s off to those guys. They’re getting us started. The way Ender’s season’s been going, it’s good to see him start getting some hits, especially top of the order there. It’s a good vibe when they’re doing well. Keep it up, keep getting them on base and ready in case.”
On watching Ozzie’s homer on a clubhouse TV:
“Peter (Moylan) actually called it. It was a low pitch. He almost golfed it out. We didn’t know if it would be long enough. We’re excited to get home, it’s one o’clock. We’ve got these guys again tomorrow and an early game the next, so get some sleep.”
More on the rust he said he felt after long layoff:
“The arm was just kind of heavy. You can’t really practice these situations when you’re out there, adrenaline running, all that fun stuff. Just a couple times I couldn’t really extend to far. That adrenaline pushed me through. Just a little rusty. Some of those pitches weren’t even close. I’m better than that. Make a better pitch than that. But we’ll get there.”
