Video summary
Aaron Boone addressed the team's frustrating loss to Arizona, highlighting how the offense struggled to capitalize against their strong relief pitching after an early lead was secured. He noted that while the starting pitcher, Warren, began well by staying ahead in the count and issuing first-pitch strikes, he eventually fell behind in the fourth and fifth innings, allowing opponents to chase pitches and string together hits. Boone emphasized that despite the starter's good stuff over the last few weeks, the bullpen could not maintain the momentum, ultimately losing the game when a reliever walked a batter with bases loaded and failed to locate the ball effectively for the final out.
The manager also discussed the performance of his other arms, specifically addressing concerns about a pitcher whose velocity had dropped by 1.3 mph during the game. Boone expressed confidence that this was not a long-term issue, pointing out that the player had been efficient in previous starts and relies on command of the strike zone along with his slider and split-finger fastball to succeed. Regarding the division race, he acknowledged that securing six wins is a tall task but maintained an optimistic outlook for the upcoming week, noting that the team will take advantage of tomorrow's off day to prepare physically and mentally before facing their next opponent on Tuesday.
Looking ahead to the final homestand and the postseason, Boone stressed the importance of managing player workloads while remaining competitive. He explained that the coaching staff is already evaluating which pitchers need rest versus those ready to pitch in their designated spots, with the primary goal being to show up strong on Tuesday and win games to build momentum. The conversation also touched on a specific injury precaution involving a pitcher who felt bicep cramping during warm-ups; although he passed post-game strength tests, Boone decided to keep him out of the lineup as a safety measure, ensuring he sees a doctor before any further testing is considered upon returning from the road.
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Aaron, when you score some runs early
and knock their starter out early, how
disappointing is it the offense can't
get anything going against their relief
core?
>> Yeah, they I mean, they they've got a
good relief core. Obviously, a lot of
big arms they run out of there with with
kind of different skill sets. So, uh you
know, thought we had some decent at bats
along the way, but just obviously
weren't able to to build on the lead or
or crawl our way back in.
>> Why do you think things unraveled a
little bit there for Warren in that
fifth inning?
>> Uh I don't know. you I mean you know I
felt like early on he was in the strike
zone really well and getting a lot of
first pitch strikes ahead. Um you know
they even got some early on him so some
of their hits were two strike hits and
stuff. Um I think you know the last
couple innings he started falling behind
a little bit. had in the I believe it
was uh back-to-back innings, fourth and
fifth, he had first pitch outs on the
popup and then was behind a couple guys
and then they they strung some at bats
against him there where they they were
able to chase him. Um you know, I
thought his stuff was again good. I feel
like it's been in a good place for the
last 3 four weeks now. Um but just
started falling behind a little bit
there uh in the latter part of the game.
>> You bring in Hedrickk who's been one of
your most reliable arms all season long.
He walks Carol and then obviously
Aronado just crushes a ball. Just what
were you seeing from him and his stuff?
>> Well, I got a big strike out of of
Purdomo real efficiently. Obviously, the
base is loaded, so we're, you know,
we're got a chance to to get out of it
there. And then, um,
and then 3-2 loses loses Carol for the
run and then, um, you know, didn't get
the ball enough to the spot uh, to Nolan
who who put a really good swing on it
and and and really that's what beat us
today.
>> His velocity continues to be down. Just
is that a concern at all?
>> I think it was up last time, wasn't it?
>> Was down 1.3 today. Yeah, that's not
continuing though. That's I thought he
was really Yeah, I thought he was really
good and in Minnesota and and last night
obviously he was very efficient. So,
he'll be all right. Um, you know, his
his stuff plays as long as he's
commanding the strike zone and using his
slider and his split effectively and
hopefully, you know, in this week we can
we can get him set up to to be in a
really good spot heading into the
postseason.
>> How do you look at the division now? Is
there still a chance
I mean, what are we six?
Yeah. I mean, that's tall task. I don't
know. We'll we got an off day tomorrow
and then we'll come ready to play some
baseball on a long day Tuesday. See see
where it goes.
>> How do you balance trying to protect
guys, but also knowing mathematically
you saw the
>> Yeah, I mean, you got to you got to make
sure guys are in a good spot going in.
Um, you know, but we're going to show up
and try and win the games on Tuesday.
So, um, and then we'll keep going from
there. So, um,
you know,
we we've been through a lot as a team
this year already and we've answered the
bell uh at most mostly all the turns and
and uh you know, looking forward to
hopefully playing a good week of
baseball and and uh you know, building
some momentum going into to uh to the
postseason.
>> You mentioned making sure guys are in
good spots uh this week. Are those
conversations uh have those already
started figuring out how you guys are
going to do that or is that more
conversations you're going to have
tomorrow the off day Tuesday?
>> I mean what do you mean I
>> just like the pitchers are all pitching
in their spots rest guys you'll
>> yeah I mean we'll kind of see if we feel
like a guy needs a day here you know but
you know first things first is we're
going to show up Tuesday and try and
kick their butt. I mean simple as that
and and we'll keep it simple. Uh, and
then I'll do what I think is best for
the club and for the guys and trying to
get us ready.
>> Okay, you had
>> he he felt some cramping in his bicep
when he was warming up, so obviously
didn't want to take any chances there.
Um,
you know, he checked out pretty well
afterwards and all the strength tests
and so I'm hoping it's not a big deal,
but you know, enough to have him not go
into the game. So, we'll see what we
have there.
>> Because of his history, do you have him
go undergo any tests when you guys get
back just to be safe or
>> I'm sure he'll see the doctor. I don't
think there's any test based on, you
know, what they saw with with what they
ran through a post game. So, um, but I'm
I'm sure I'll have to see the doctor.