I enjoy pitching the big games, I enjoy the pressure, |
I feel like because of my performance, we were never really in it. |
I felt good. I was hitting my spots and I felt like they weren't squaring the ball up on me and I didn't feel like they were comfortable up there. But the last inning it all changed. |
I got us through six, ... But the bottom line is, our bullpen came in and picked me up when, reasonably, they could have been tired. |
I have to give credit to Tampa Bay, they did a great job of hitting the ball. But the bottom line is, our offense overcame my poor start and I'll be able to sleep tonight because of that. |
I have to make my pitches, and I didn't do that. As a veteran pitcher, I need to make [the Mariners] earn it, and I didn't. |
I haven't seen a game like that, ever. It's disappointing he didn't make them earn it. It's unfortunate the way the last few innings turned. You don't want to take any credit away from them, but it's a gift. |
I just hopped the fence one day in spring training with the Royals and just started working on different deliveries, |
I just tried to throw strikes. If I get beat, I want them to beat me. I don't want to walk guys like I did in my first two outings. |
I just wanted to throw strikes and give a good performance. If I get beat, I want it to be throwing strikes, not walking people. After the Shelton home run, I was able to stop overthrowing and get my control settled. |
I know he doesn't do that on purpose, but it fires you up and it gets you back on focus. |
I left a lot of guaranteed money on the table. But my family said, 'How much money is enough?' They are paying me a lot in Cleveland. I want to win and that was more important than the larger contract in Kansas City. |
I love opening day. You've got a packed house and it's a playoff-type atmosphere. I'd love to see the fans come out for more. |
I love the feel of it, the big wall. It has its own unique feel. I like seeing some of the skyline in the background. |
I love the pressure and I love that every game counts. I've been on last-place teams and first-place teams, and this is what it's all about. Coming down to the wire, every pitch means something and you can't take anything for granted. It's very exciting. I think all of our guys have really turned it up a notch. |