NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 7, 2023

Orion Kerkering

Truist Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Postgame 1 Press Conference

Phillies 3 - Braves 0

Q. Down there in between the 7 and 8th inning with the kind of beer bottles being thrown from the stands and stuff, was it getting close to like a point where you wouldn't be able to go back out there? What was that like, that interruption? It seemed like it kind of sucked some energy out.

ORION KERKERING: Yeah, a little bit. Just be ready to go, no matter what in the moment, how long it takes, whether it's 20 minutes, five minutes or an hour, just be ready to go, no matter what, until they tell you it's not your turn anymore and let the other guy go.

Q. Did you feel any different entering this game seventh inning NLDS type game given the quality of the opponent or is it like important for you to be able to put that stuff to the side?

ORION KERKERING: Just put it aside and just keep every moment the same no matter what, whether we're up seven or down seven or if it's a tie ballgame, just keep it the same mojo, no matter what.

Q. And for you guys as a bullpen, six different pitchers come in, you shut them down. Do you think it could set a tone for the rest of the series?

ORION KERKERING: For sure, I think so, yeah. Just keep letting each other -- build off each other. Just keep going, no matter how many guys it takes, whether it's one guy or six guys like it was tonight. Just keep building that energy off each other.

Q. What was it like in the dugout when Turner made that double play?

ORION KERKERING: Super exciting moment just because it's a big moment, obviously in the game, obviously like a turning point. So just to be able to experience that and just enjoy the moment, too.

Q. And did Rob talk to you either before the game or days before whether there's a pocket in the lineup that you match up well against?

ORION KERKERING: No. Just be able to focus no matter what. Like I said, any moment, doesn't matter. Whether it's up or down, just be ready to go for each hitter.

Q. Does this like kind of feel like a whirlwind for you or are you past that stuff because you've now experienced some big moments here down the stretch?

ORION KERKERING: For sure past it. When it's like the first outing out of the way and just be able to experience everything, so just be able to have fun with it now.

Q. How do you prepare for a guy like Acuña given the series that he's had this year and kind of that whole top really?

ORION KERKERING: I mean, just follow the scouting report, what they tell you, and just don't think too much about it. He's the same guy. He's gotten out. What does he hit? Like 340? So a bunch of other times he's gotten out, struck out, ground ball. He got out three times tonight, so just keep going the same attack mode.

Q. Kind of a dumb question, but how are you able to stay so calm at such a young age in this environment?

ORION KERKERING: Just kind of go with it no matter what because there's always people that are going to want to ask these questions like be where you're at. So kind of fun with it and go with it.