I felt the same tonight as I did the first two times back. I just didn't get any breaks those other times. This time I didn't get behind in the count and I kept the ball in the park. |
I guess I'm just on a higher stage out there in the playoffs and more people are recognizing some of the little intangibles I do, and it makes me that much better. |
I guess in a way (the layoff could help his arm), but I haven't even made my first start back yet. I had rehab starts just to see if I felt good, and you go out there just to see how it feels. I don't know if that month off is going to hurt me or is going to help me. Hopefully I can finish out the season on my part and do well. |
I hate being taken out of the game from the mound. It's just a pet peeve of mine. I never want that to happen. I always want to be taken out while I'm in the dugout, but it was definitely time for me to come out. |
I just want to go out there and give my team a good outing and keep us in the ball game as long as possible. |
I left some balls in the middle of the plate. I was trying to find it again today. For the most part, I felt pretty good. I got some ground balls when I needed to. I definitely wouldn't say it was a great outing. |
I tested it with throwing it pretty hard, and throwing a lot of pitches. I felt good. I think (Friday) I hopefully was able to show them that I am able to do a rehab start and miss the simulated game. |
I think (it would be fitting) for the fans especially, ... The fans deserve it; we deserve it. It would be great to go out and win tomorrow. |
I think they have a really balanced offense this year as far as guys that can get on, and obviously the power that they have in the middle of the lineup. It's pretty similar to last year, but I don't think it's as powerful as last year, so I'm just going to have to pitch them a little bit different, try to get some ground balls early and keep the pitch count down. |
I try to pitch every game like it's a World Series game, ... I try not to give up any runs and, if I do, to give up less runs than we score. |
I want it to be a good one, ... You never want to go out on a bad note, and certainly now is not the time. |
I'm just ready to get out there, ... I feel real good. |
I'm really pretty happy with my outing. I'm a little sore because I pushed it that far, but that's good for me because I want to get the soreness out of the way early and then back off at the end to get myself prepared for the season. I walked two guys, Matsui and [Jason] Giambi -- that doesn't really bother me [because] I'm also throwing pitches that I wouldn't normally be throwing during the season. |
I'm very relieved. Any time you wake up and feel pretty good, it's always a positive. |
I've never been hurt there before. I asked some guys who had Tommy John surgery if that's how it starts and they said it was similar. But only the doctor can tell me for sure. Bottom line is I didn't complete my job. Obviously something is wrong and we'll get it checked. Best case scenario is it's just a tweak, worst case is something serious. |