SAN FRANCISCO — Braves quotes from Julio Teheran, B.J. Upton, Chris Johnson and manager Fredi Gonzalez after Wednesday's loss to the Giants.
*FREDI GONZALEZ
On Teheran’s problems gripping the ball
“We went as far as we could with Julio, to try to give him an opportunity. The third inning was his best inning, he threw seven or eight pitches. We tie the game again, give him the opportunity to go back out there, maybe get through the bottom of the order and get us five innings. Then he gives up the lead again and by that time it was pretty much done.”
Could you almost see the B.J. ejection coming, as frustrated as he’s been with balls and strikes this series?
“Yeah, and I don’t know how much of it’s his fault. You come back here (to the clubhouse) and you look at some of the pitches, they’re not close. So go into the off day tomorrow, go on to the next series, the next (umpire) crew, and hopefully it’s a start over.”
Do you think he’s dug himself a hole, so to speak, with some umps by complaining about called strikes?
“I don’t know. But it sure seemed like he got a lot of them this series. You know what, I don’t even want to go there, because these umpires get graded every single time. They get their disc after every game and get graded, so I would hate to think that there’s some conspiracy theory. I think it’s just one of those things, it’s a tough series.”
On the transference rule and the plate at second that went against Braves
“Went back to the old rule. It’s a rule that they feel it’s in there then they call it out. I went out there and I thought that he had dropped it, but he was adamant in saying no. I came back in, obviously Carlos was in the dugout saying, ‘Yeah, he dropped it, let’s replay it.’ I don’t think you can replay that. ‘Cause I even talked to (second-base umpire) Ron (Kulpa) about it, since now they went back to the old interpretation. I went back out the following inning and talked to the crew chief Dana (DeMuth), and the only thing I could have asked them to do was to join together, because maybe somebody else had a better look at it.”
“My argument was Ron was, did it come out? (Before he had control of it.) Maybe next time I go out there I’ll ask them to get together to see if maybe someone else saw something different.”
See any improvement in offense this weekend despite the loss?
“We had a great first inning. Base hit, doubles, got a couple of runs, and we’re seeing some good at-bats by people. Chris Johnson got a couple of hits, Simmons got a big triple, Gattis…. We’re seeing some life.”
**JULIO TEHERAN
On difficulty gripping the ball
“Yeah, I was having a hard time getting my grip. It’s something that happened, I couldn’t (find a solution).”
Happened before?
“Yeah, every time I get places like Los Angeles and here, I have a hard time. The same thing happened in the postseason last year that happened here today. I try to find a way to (fix it) because I know I’m going to be pitching on those fields a lot.”
No problem with your hand at all then, as far as an ailment of any kind?
“No, no. Just having a hard time with my grip.”
“You don’t get comfortable because you don’t want to make a mistake. It’s hard. I was trying to battle with my fastball. I did my best, I tried to battle with what I could.”
Frustrating to have something like this happen against these guys again (after giving up 3 HRs to them in Atlanta)
“I’m trying to learn how sometimes I’m going to have games like this, trying to learn and just get ready for the next one, and that game is over. That’s what is on my mind now.”
So this happens a couple or three times a year with your grip, is that what you’re saying?
“Yeah, this kind of weather gives me a hard time. I’m still trying to find a way to (remedy it).”
“It’s dry (weather). I don’t want to make an excuse, but every time I pitch in place like I feel it.”
**CHRIS JOHNSON
On Giants being relentless
“They just kept coming. One of those days where they just kept tacking on runs. We would score, they would score, and they beat us. They beat us that way today.”
Impressed by them?
“Oh, they’re a good team. I knew that before they came and beat us at home. Pitching staff’s really good, it’s really deep, and their offense top-to-bottom is pretty good.”
On both starters struggling today
“Yeah, we’re not used to Julio having starts like that. I think there were moments where he could have thrown in the towel and come out of the game, the second inning, third inning, but he kept his head and just kept pitching and hung in there for as long as he could.”
See some progress offensively, especially today?
“Yeah, I think we’re starting to swing the bats a little better. Starting to come up with some two-out hits, I’m able to come up with some hits with guys in scoring position, which is nice. We’ve just got to get it all clicking on all cyclinders.”
**B.J. UPTON
Was the ejection something that was building?
“Yeah, I think that was an accumulation of three days. It’s not what I want to do. That was just kind of a reaction.”
You think that some umps might not give you benefit of doubt because of prior complaining about called strikes?
“That’s just kind of the tag I’ve been given since I got called up. I think I got tossed my first couple of weeks in the big leagues. And I don’t know why. I mean, I know why, but that was like nine or 10 years ago. That’s kind of been a goal of mine, to really not do that (argue) anymore. That’s something that I’ve really been working at the last couple of years. I haven’t really said anything this year, and it was one of those series where it just kind of got to the point where it just kind of happened.
“Like I said, it’s not really what I want to do. It’s not really a good example for kids and makes me look like a jackass. But at the same time, you come in every day and you grind, you work and try to stay in ABs and help your team win a ballgame. Things like that can boil over.”
“I don’t have any problem with anybody in that (umpire) crew. I’ve seen them a lot over the years and they’re good guys.”
Was past week or this series a setback after you made progress, or you see it as just some strikeouts and not a setback?
“I feel great up there. I struck out a couple of times I guess. Having good ABs, just kind of out of my hands (umpire calls). I have no hard feelings against any of those guys. I just had enough.”
