Video summary
Aaron Boone reflected on his team's disappointing 10-1 loss to the Angels in the opener of their series, attributing the defeat primarily to poor defensive execution and a lack of offensive production. He acknowledged that while starter Elmer performed well early on with a sharp changeup and sinker combination, he struggled to keep batters in the strike zone later in the game, resulting in walks that extended innings and allowed the opponent to score. Offensively, the team failed to capitalize on several opportunities, including a rally in the first inning and some sharply hit balls, ultimately leaving them unable to mount a comeback against a high-scoring Angels lineup.
The manager also addressed the performance of rookie Luis Gil, who made his bullpen debut for the first time. Although Gil walked the first batter he faced, Boone praised his overall command and comfort level once he settled in, noting that the team simply failed to turn a double play behind him which could have helped preserve the lead. Additionally, Boone discussed the development of player Jones, highlighting his adaptability and situational awareness over the last month. Jones showed promise with a line drive to second base and a home run, demonstrating an ability to read pitchers and adjust his approach, though Boone noted that the team needs to get him rolling after a recent week of struggles.
Trent was identified as another player facing challenges in the final week, having lost some of the power and zone control he previously displayed. Boone expressed frustration with this slump but emphasized the need for the team to bounce back immediately against Anaheim. The conversation also touched on the decision-making regarding defensive positioning and late-game strategy, specifically when considering bringing in a position player after the eighth inning. Boone explained that while they were prepared to make such a move, he chose to leave the bases clear rather than risk leaving another run out there, ultimately deciding to let his closer work through one more batter before retiring him to avoid using him unnecessarily in such a lopsided game.
Overall, Boone characterized the loss as an "ugly" performance that serves as a stark reminder of how quickly games can turn in this league if a team does not play well enough to dictate the outcome. He stressed that the mood on the bench was one of frustration after falling behind and getting beaten up, but he remained focused on the immediate task of recovering tomorrow. The manager made it clear that excuses regarding upcoming big weekends against teams like the Mets are not valid, as the priority is to execute properly in every game. With several players having to pick up extra innings due to fatigue and usage issues, Boone acknowledged the difficulty of managing the roster but insisted that the team must come out strong and secure a win in the next matchup.
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and three errors, no offense, starter
doesn't get out of the fourth inning.
Just what do you make of tonight?
>> Yeah, just obviously not a good
performance by us.
Um
you know,
uh thought stuff wise Elmer was was
pretty good. Came out um right away.
First batter punch, you know, spun it
well. I thought had some life to the
sinker, but then just struggled to get
consistently in the zone where he needed
to, you know, a couple two-out walks
that extended innings. So, he's you
know, drove his pitch count up a lot.
Obviously then ends up hitting a couple
guys later.
>> [snorts]
>> Um
and and then obviously just didn't mount
much offensively. I thought first couple
innings squared some balls up, you know,
had a rally in the first. Couldn't cash
in and then couple couple sharply hit
balls in the next inning, but then I
thought Ureña got into a rhythm and you
know, obviously we didn't do much
offensively. I don't want to take
anything away from Ureña cuz I thought
thought he was excellent. Like, you
know, for our first look at him,
um
you know,
the the one thing about him is he you
know, he's walked some guys and you
know, can probably the command, you
know, at times has been
you know, he's obviously having a great
year, but I thought command wise he was
really sharp from the get-go with the
changeup sinker combination.
But but overall and then we just didn't
take care of the ball well enough. So,
um
you know, obviously an ugly one for us
uh tonight. Uh but we got to and it's
just a you know, great
you know, reminder that you you know,
you got to
in this league you got to play well or
you know, you get it handed to you. So,
we got to bounce back tomorrow and and
come out and get get get one back.
>> Within that we saw Luis Gil come out of
the bullpen for the first time. Just
what was your impression of him?
>> Yeah, good to see him get in there. You
know, he walks the first guy. I thought
he threw the ball well overall.
Um you know, we didn't turn a double
play behind him.
Um
And after that first walk I thought he
settled in through the ball well. You
know, I thought he was on the attack.
Thought he looked comfortable.
Um you know, was under control. So, good
to get him back out there and good to
get at least get him through a couple
innings.
>> What was the mood of the players in the
bench during this game?
>> The mood?
>> Well,
the attitude is things were were falling
behind.
>> Well, I mean, you're you're you're
grinding, you're you know, and then when
it gets lopsided, you know, you're kind
of kind of ticked off. Uh
You know,
you never like getting getting beat up.
It's no fun.
>> And what do you
what do you think of Jones' development
in the last month or so?
>> It's been good. It's been good. Um
really encouraging. I feel like I you
know, I've I've used the word
adaptability. He's shown he's shown some
uh some real awareness. Um strengths and
weaknesses to his own, who he's facing.
Um
he's done a good job for us and and you
know, obviously got a couple good swings
off today. First first first AB smokes
the ball to second for the line out and
then obviously hits the homer. So, he's
done a good job.
>> I know you don't like to look too far
ahead here, but talking to him before
the game, he's really quite stoked about
getting back to playing in San Diego.
>> Uh-huh.
>> He said he said he hasn't played there
in like 6 years.
>> Yeah.
Um
Yeah. First things first, we got
Anaheim.
>> Right now.
>> Yeah.
>> What have you thought of Trent's at bats
over the last 2 weeks now?
>> Yeah. Probably the
I feel like the last week's been a
little bit of a struggle going through
it a little bit after, you know, several
weeks of where the power was there,
really controlling the zone. Been a tick
off here. I I feel like just the last
week.
Um so, got to get him rolling.
>> And then his playing center field, was
that just not knowing
the situation or what do you think about
that?
>> Christian.
>> No, he knew the situation. Threw it to
the cutoff man. We had a play at third.
Maybe could have gone straight to third.
You know, you got the catcher on second
who runs decent. Um you know, I think he
charged it, made made the right throw to
the to the cutoff man. Maybe could have
gone straight to third with it.
Um,
but but he you know, he he executed the
play.
>> When you're coming up on a big weekend
like you guys just had, is there just a
fight against the Mets?
>> That's an excuse. I mean, that's an
excuse. You know, it's obviously been a
tough stretch.
We're coming out here. We know we got to
play well.
Um, so you were we were ready to go
today. We just played poorly.
>> Ben coming in there is it just a matter
of getting him some work?
>> Uh, well, and and just staying away from
I mean, obviously we've we've had to use
a ton of guys. So, you hate doing that.
You hate having to use your closer in
that kind of a game. Um, but not about
work more than just, you know, if we
sort of trying to stay away from
Hedrick. If Blackburn comes in, he's
probably down tomorrow. So, it's just a
result of what we've kind of gone
through the last several days where
everyone's [snorts] had to pick up a
little little something.
>> Was there any consideration of putting a
position player in when you guys get
down over eight?
>> Yeah.
Yeah, we were getting ready to, but um,
you know, I was
I didn't want to leave a another run out
there.
Um, so he had one more batter um, at
that point, but um, so yeah, I was
considering it, but I wanted the bases
clear when when I did that.