**FREDI GONZALEZ
On the key hits and the win
“We got some big hits, timely hits. Freeman’s two-run double was big, to give us a three-run cushion. The bullpen, for me, was (strong) the whole series. Even going back into the Toronto series, they’ve done the job. And we’ve been able to add on some runs and got some wins.”
On the series
“It was a big series to win. Two out of three, that’s what we ask for. It was nice to come back after the first game that we lost, when we had some opportunities we didn’t take advantage of. We come back and win that extra-inning game yesterday, and then a good outing by Pauly today and we got a chance to win this one.”
“The one (unearned) run they gave up, we dropped the ball at first base. Believe me, we practice that play. It just doesn’t seem like it the last couple of nights. We practice that play a lot. It cost himself some pitches or he might have been able to go a little deeper, but he did a nice job. Gave us six innings and gave us a great chance to win.”
On Pena emerging as a much better hitter than he’d been with Yankees
“Yes, he has. We run him in there at third base or shortstop or second base, and depending upon the matchup we get on the mound against him, he does a good job. He set the tone right from the get-to with the two-run homer, and we never looked back, really. You feel comfortable that he can really defend at any of those three positions. We’re lucky to have him. He’s a perfect National League player. We’re sure glad our people found him.”
On B.J. Upton homering after his two hits including 10th-inning walk-off on Saturday
“His at-bats just keeping getting better and better. That’s the B.J. Upton that we want to see. Good that he’s coming along. Sometimes it just takes a ball up the middle, like the first hit he got last night, a little dribbler that gets you going, and a game-winner yesterday and a homer today. Hopefully he’ll roll off 10 or 12 like this.”
“Justin got three hits, scored a couple of runs, stole a base. Good performance by the (Upton) brothers today.”
**B.J. UPTON
Do you feel different at the plate, the changes you’ve made recently?
“It’s getting there. Like I said last night, still got some work to do. But definitely feeling a lot better up there, and hopefully it only gets better as the season goes on.”
On seeing some results from all the hard work to correct his swing
“It feels pretty good. I’ve been working hard all year and it hasn’t really gone the way I wanted it to. It’s starting to show a little bit, but like I said, I’ve still got a lot of work to do.”
Couple of games that might turn things around for you?
“I hope so. The last two nights have been pretty good, and hopefully I have a good rest of the season.”
On winning the series
“It’s big. We know they’re a team that’s going to be around all year. They’re a good ballclub. So anytime you can win against a team like that, it’s pretty big.”
**FREDDIE FREEMAN
On B.J.’s past couple of games
“It’s only a matter of time with everybody that hasn’t been swinging the bat like they want to. B.J. came out yesterday and won the game for us, and today put us on the board early, with Ramiro (Pena). He’s been playing great defense, can’t take that away from him. And now he’s starting to swing the bat. It’s a great thing for us.”
On the double call that was upheld by umps, who said it hit the yellow top of wall and bounced directly back on field
“I blame it on the wind. 1-nothing, wind.”
“This is a big park. Come on, guys, bring the fences in.”
His ongoing hitting surge
“I feel great up there. Every day I just try and put a great swing on the ball. My swing’s up through the middle right now, so there’s a lot of room for error.
“I feel great. I’m trying to stay with my routine and hopefully I can keep going out there and putting some hits out there.”
Feel good hitting between Justin Upton and Gattis?
“Wouldn’t you feel good. Especialy with Justin’s on every time, like today. You know they can’t make a mistake to me because they’re going to have Evan behind me, and then you’ve got Mac and you’ve got Dan and you’ve got B.J. It’s a tough lineup, one through eight.”
**BRIAN McCANN
On relievers stepping up to challenge with all the injuries
“Yeah, they have, man. I can’t say enough good things about what they’ve done coming in. From the other day when Medlen got hit in the calf, D.C. (David Carpenter) giving up any runs there, to handing the balls to guys we’re going to ask to step up. And so far they’ve done great.”
On Freeman
“He’s a stud. He’s been doing that since he stepped foot on this field. He’s special. Those guys don’t come around very often. And he’s been doing it the whole time since he put this uniform on. He’s a pure hitter and a pleasure to watch every single day.”
“He’s going to wind up hitting 25 home runs. He’s got that power. And at the same time, he could also hit .350 if he wanted to. I mean, he’s so far advanced and so good and so fun to watch every day.”
On Ramiro Pena
“He’s very good. Can play everywhere. He’s been a big lift for this team.”
On taking another series from Nationals
“When we play fundamental baseball, we feel like we can hang with anybody. We’ve gotten good pitching. Obviously that’s what wins ballgames, and we’ve been getting a lot of that lately.”
**PAUL MAHOLM
On Braves lineup
“We’ve got guys that are going to grind out at-bats. We’re going to strike out, but you look at it, for me, one through eight anybody can hit a home run. We’ve got guys who can hit doubles, guys that can take their walks and make the other pitcher work. That’s the bigger thing, which leads to a pitcher making a mistake and a guy taking advantage of it.”
On the starters going at least 6-7 innings just about every time out lately
“That’s our job. We’ve got a good bullpen. Obviously missing O (O’Flaherty) and Jonny, it hurts. But it’s something that as a starting staff, you’ve got to take the pressure off those guys. You’ve got to go a little deeper. Yeah, whenever you need them, they’re going to take care of you. But you can’t sit back and rely on them, day in and day out. You’ve got to go deeper in the game and let those guys have some days off and come out fresh and hold the leads for you.”
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