	products recent interviews FastScripts archive about ASAP Sports

Our Clients:

Browse by Sport

Find us on

Subscribe to RSS

Click to go to
Asaptext.com

View our
e-Brochure

NL DIVISION SERIES: REDS v PHILLIES

October 10, 2010

Chase Utley

CINCINNATI, OHIO: Game Three

Phillies: 2
Reds: 0

KATY FEENEY: Questions for Cole Hamels.

Q. You came back to where you made your major league debut. How does this, what you did here, rival that night?
COLE HAMELS: I don't think -- I can't think taking away from my debut because that was definitely a special moment I think for any kid that plays baseball in the backyard and tries to aspire to being a major leaguer. That right there is always going to be the ultimate moment, and I'm always going to remember that.
This moment right here is just another stepping stone toward trying to win a World Series, and I think that's something -- the way that we were able to do it, we're going to take that energy and that momentum on to the next series. But we do know that whoever we play, it's going to be tough.
But it is, to be able to go out and win all three games and not give -- not being able to give the other team the opportunity to take that momentum back, especially in their home ballpark, that's something special right there.

Q. Cole, could you talk about what was working well for you tonight? Is there any point at all that you felt like it was gone for a pitcher, too?
COLE HAMELS: You know, I think I was able to really establish my fastball early. I was able to hit my spots away. And in and when you're feeling good and you're able to dial it up a notch, it's going to make it a little bit tougher, especially for the success. I know how -- what I can have with my change-up that makes that pitch harder to hit because you have to look for two different speeds. And then I'm able to hit my spots, and I think that helps.
Also, you know, I was able to work in a good cutter and a few good curve balls in the end. That's where -- when you're able to throw strikes and you have the defense behind you, you can't ask for anything more because you're playing good baseball.

Q. Cole, when the game ended, it seemed like on the field it was almost like any other game, and I sort of gathered by looking down that the mind-set was, Okay, we've done it, now we move on to the next round. Is that how it was?
COLE HAMELS: Yeah, when you have that playoff experience and we've been to the World Series the last two years, we know what it takes to get there. I don't think we want to get too carried away, but we are very happy. And when you don't do it at home, that's kind of sayin' something right there.
But we're going to move on and try to play the best baseball we can and try to win the next four games as fast and as quick as we can. Because our ultimate goal is to win the World Series and I think that's where we stand.

Q. Coming back to this game, going into the game, was there any one or two players that you were most concerned about from the Reds?
COLE HAMELS: You know, I've had tough at-bats with Votto and he's my M.V.P. for the year. He's had a tremendous year, and I think he's not going to give in. I think that's where I had to bear down with him. Because at any moment, he can hit a home run to any side of the ballpark. He can definitely -- in their home ballpark, they can take the energy and steal it from you.
But at the same time, all their guys are very talented and they're all very good. You have to make good pitches all the time to them. And that's what I was able to do, and the defense was able to get the key outs.
KATY FEENEY: Okay. We have Chase Utley joining us.

Q. Cole or Chase, you guys were on the worry end of this, can you give impressions of the Cincinnati club that you might have?
COLE HAMELS: Can you repeat that question. I was thinking Chase was going to answer it.

Q. Can you give any impression of the Cincinnati club going forward that you may or may not have?
CHASE UTLEY: The Reds have a very good team. The sky is the limit with those guys. They seem like they know how to win, so they're going to be pretty good in the future for sure.

Q. Cole, talk about you did quite a number against the best offensive team in the national league. How did you approach Cincinnati and how tough was it to pitch against 'em?
COLE HAMELS: They're also going to be a tough team. I was able to pitch against 'em during the year. We had a tough game right there because it was 1-0. This game you have to be able to go out and make your pitches, and I think that's kinda what it takes to be a good starting pitcher, especially in a game like this. If you're able to make your pitches and get the key outs, then you can't ask for anything more.
We were able to score in the first inning. I think that definitely kind of puts some momentum in our favor, and we just have to go out and shut 'em out. And that's what we were able to do.

Q. Chase, the fans tonight were reacting vocally to you before and during the game. Did you ever notice that kind of thing? Does it get in your head or do you put it aside easily?
CHASE UTLEY: You know, over the past few years, we've played in front of hostile crowds, so you try not to let that affect you and tune it out as much as you can. And as a team, I think we do a good job of that.

Q. Chase, can you give me a sense of the impression you've had of how this starting lineup has improved over the last few years and what that's meant for the club?
CHASE UTLEY: Well, I think just the experience that we've all gained has made us better players, playing in the postseason, playing in crunch situations. I think that makes you a better baseball player.
We've made some additions over the past few years to our pitching staff and seems like we always have a new guy in the lineup every year. And they adapt well, and the whole goal for us is to continue to improve. And I think we've done that.

Q. And specifically your starting pitchers, and the improvements?
CHASE UTLEY: The front office has done an outstanding job of acquiring some pretty good arms with both the Roy's. Those are guys that have dominating stuff and you don't find those guys too often. And to pair 'em with Cole, makes it even better.

Q. Did you think that ball was gone?
CHASE UTLEY: No, actually, I didn't. I knew I hit it okay. I hit a ball in the first inning I thought I hit better than that one, but lucky for us, the weather is still warm and it's a good hitter's ballpark.

Q. Slider?
CHASE UTLEY: Slider, yeah.
KATY FEENEY: Thank you, gentleman.

End of FastScripts

ASAP Sports, Inc. | T: 1.212 385 0297