It's disappointing. I felt like I had good stuff when I warmed up, and I didn't think I pitched badly. I didn't want to come out of the game. |
It's funny to say, but it's easier to focus on a team like this, ... You want to do well, not that you didn't when your team is struggling, but you can get in a lull. Your focus isn't as high as it is here, knowing you're in a pennant race. Every pitch counts. |
It's funny to say, but it's easier to focus on a team like this. |
It's great following him. He told me to watch the hitters to see if they change their approach. I mixed it up and kept them off balance. |
It's just big not only for myself, but for the team. |
It's just unbelievable for me. I still can't really explain it, ... It's kind of a crazy road you take to get where I am. |
Just getting ahead. I watched Smally do it all day yesterday, and I saw how that turned out for him. |
Man, he is in a zone. You hope he stays that way for a long time. |
Most of it just comes down to being aggressive. |
Not giving up two-run homers in the first inning, that's always a bonus. |
Obviously the big hit was the home run, ... That was a situation when I didn't want to throw a strike and it caught a little too much of the plate. |
Obviously, I'm excited now that I know I'm going to start. I wouldn't say relieved, but that's where I know I want to be. But I also know it's game-by-game here. I know what the situation is here, so I'm not taking anything for granted. |
Over here is a different mindset from them. You know you're getting ready for a championship season, and a season where you know in your heart that you're going to the playoffs and that ultimately your realistic goal is to win the World Series. And if you don't, then it's a failed season. |
So now I feel like I've actually graduated to the point where it's not because I'm a homegrown kid that I was in the major leagues. I think that's what some people thought sometimes. But now, I don't have the Monforts backing me. There's not any excuses. I'm on my own out here, and I sink or swim by myself. |
Some days it's going to take the starting pitcher to come out and dominate, and you might win, 2-0. But for the most part, we're going to score runs. With a team like this, you don't panic. |