Sunday Brunch: Braves Chop 6/30
Jun 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward (22) scores a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Diamondbacks 11-5. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Wild rally in eighth helps Braves drub D-backs
Despite encountering numerous frustrating stretches over the past two months, the Braves have completed the first half of their schedule with a comfortable lead atop the National League East standings. They have relied heavily on their power and squandered run-producing opportunities with maddening frequency.
But they have also consistently displayed a never-say-die attitude that has carried them to a NL-best 23 comeback wins. Their most recent qualifies as their most unique.
Braves postgame quotes after Saturday’s win
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JASON HEYWARD
On keeping the line moving in the eighth, manufacturing runs:
"It was a great job of what we did today, manufacturing some runs. We made the starter throw a lot of pitches. There late in the game they had to make a lot of moves in the bullpen. We did a good job of getting pitches to hit, we had some sac flies, we had guys running the bases well, we had guys draw walks."
ANDRELTON SIMMONS
On his instincts on baserunning play:
"I was bluffing at first maybe to force a throw and maybe make them start to get ready to throw home, too. I saw the ball go away from the (third baseman) and I noticed nobody was in the space. The catcher was all the way back there so I didn’t think anybody was going to beat me to home plate."
TIM HUDSON
On if one pitch out of 100 goes his way looking at W:
"Yeah well obviously. It was a cutter outside up in the zone a little bit, but it was a pitch outside corner, he just drove it to center field. His numbers on anything away from him aren’t very good but today he drove it out of the park to tie it up. I wish I’d have had a chance to have an opportunity at a decision to get one more out but the important thing is we won the ball game. We ended up having a really nice inning there in the eighth so that’s all that matters."
DAN UGGLA
On seven walks, three hit batsmen, taking what they give:
"We’re a lineup that strikes out a lot. They’re going to try and get us to chase but we also have a lot of big-time players in here that know how to work counts and know how to work walks and especially when we’re seeing the ball better than the days we’re swinging at everything. We can be patient just as much as swinging and missing."
FREDI GONZALEZ
On just how they drew it up:
"What we did nice there in the eighth inning – we kept the line moving offensively. What I mean by that is we put the ball in play and got some runs. We didn’t have a strikeout. We just kept the line moving. We had a couple sac flies by a couple guys and ended up getting a big number like that in the eighth innings. Andrelton, that was a head’s up baserunning play by him to score on that ball. Heyward had some good at-bats all night long. We did a nice job offensively."
Prado appreciates reception
Also from AJC.com
Ever wonder why Martin Prado wears eye black in night games? On Friday night it came in handy to hide a few tears, the former Brave joked.
In his first game back at Turner Field since he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Prado was greeted by two stirring ovations — one when Chipper Jones acknowledged him during his pregame jersey retirement ceremony and again when he walked up to the plate for his first at-bat in the second inning.
“They showed a lot of emotions and a lot of respect for me, which is … I don’t know how to explain it,” Prado said in the visiting clubhouse Saturday afternoon. “I was so emotional, so it was pretty good.”