I feel like I can go out there and win every ballgame with three runs. So I try to keep it down below one to two runs for seven or eight innings, and I've been able to do that. |
I go out there and pitch my game and try to get ground balls. I don't really think too much into it. Obviously, I don't want the pressure of thinking I'm the No. 1. I do recognize it, but thinking about it just adds pressure to me that I don't need. I think I'm up to the challenge. |
I got a lot of good plays behind me, a lot of double-play balls, which kept my confidence up. I kept pouring it in there and let the other guys work. And the offense scoring runs was big. It let me settle in. |
I had some good plays behind me. |
I kept them off the board until Trace got in there with the big two-run shot, |
I left [the ball to Ward] out over the middle of the plate, ... He hammered the thing. It was well-struck. But it was only one mistake and a solo home run, which is not going to beat you, usually. |
I like it. It's going to be a little bit different last year and obviously what it was the last couple of years. But I'm excited to get it started with these guys. I'm anxious to see how we mesh together. We had a real good staff last year that got along real well. |
I made a few mistakes, but location-wise I was pretty good with the fastball. I was trying to work ahead and get all my pitches in. I mainly throw fastballs, and I worked on location today. |
I made my pitches when I had to, and that's what counts, ... There were a couple times when I made some good pitches and the guys made some good plays behind me to get me out of it. |
I need one more hit now. |
I thought it was down and away, but he ended up getting under it and shooting it to center. I thought it was a decent pitch. I haven't seen it on the replay yet. |
I wanted to finish it up. Getting the two runners on, it was a good time to let [Valverde] come in and get his work in. I knew it was probably time. I really wanted to finish the game and get the CG, but didn't happen. I'll get it. |
I was just trying to keep them off the board until Tracy came through and hit the home run. |
I was not on at all mechanically, not very sound, ... I was saying [before the game], 'This is the day I will probably go out and throw a no-hitter.' The last time in the bullpen, my stuff was some of my better stuff. |
I'm ready to take the challenge on. I'm excited to get that opportunity to start on Opening Day. |