Postgame quotes from Angels Manager Mike Scioscia
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Here’s what Angels Manager Mike Scioscia had to say after his team’s 5-4 victory over the Dodgers on Friday night.
On the win:
‘We beat some good pitchers this week, and [Chad] Billingsley has thrown the ball very well, and we just kept battling. I think we showed great plate discipline. We got some pitches to hit, we had some good swings on them, and Joe [Saunders] kept pitching and we kept playing defense. The only way you’re going to beat good teams is to just go out by out and grind it out. And that’s what we did today. What an at-bat by Juan Rivera.’
On the bullpen:
‘I think we’re getting a little more continuity down there [in the bullpen]. I don’t know if we’re ever going to get hardcore roles like we’re used to with Scot Shields and guys that were pitching before him last year. Maybe when Kelvim [Escobar] gets settled in the bullpen ... maybe he could give us some more options and maybe we’ll establish some harder roles.’
On Rivera:
‘We expect some powerful production at a little higher rate than we’ve seen so far this year for some guys from our lineup. And Juan is one of those guys that’s picking it up. He has the capability of going on streaks, and that’s what we’re seeing right now and it’s a great time for it. With Juan’s emergence in probably the last 50-75 at-bats, he’s been terrific.’
On his expectations for Weaver vs. Weaver:
‘Probably [expecting] much of the same [as Friday’s game]. It’s going to be a close game. I think both guys have the capability of pitching deep into the game. I don’t know if there’s a pitcher that’s throwing the ball as well as Jered Weaver in our league.’
On facing Billingsley:
‘With Billingsley, there’s two things that are going to happen. You could be patient, and you might get the only pitch you’re going to hit all night when you’re just sitting there taking. So it’s a little tough to just sit there and take a pitch. … This guy [Billingsley] does a lot with the baseball in different zones. And if he gets a little bit erratic or wild, you might have to try to wait him out and I think we saw some of that tonight.’
Asked if he thinks Rivera gets the recognition he deserves, Scioscia replied:
‘I think within baseball he is. I think there’s a lot of guys that maybe don’t get the recognition from fans and the media, and Juan’s probably in that group. If you ask any scout or any manager about guys in the batter’s box that are going to be a tough out, and Juan’s going to be in that group.’
-- Mario Aguirre