Tony Vitello, Giants players break down six-homer performance in win vs. Mets
Tony Vitello and other Giants speak to reporters following San Francisco's 9-5 win against the New York Mets on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.
Tony Vitello, Giants players break down six-homer performance in win vs. Mets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
It was an offensive explosion.
You had to be happy what you saw, especially from Devers and Casas.
Yeah, I mean, the main thing is we just want our guys to go, go out there and fight, and they were certainly doing that, and the byproduct was really good at-bats.
Last night, too, but tonight, balls jumping out of the l- out of the park a little bit, but also guys are taking good at-bats and good swings.
And Devers doing his thing, but just happy for Casas because he's a guy who gets anything that kind of comes his way, or deserves anything that comes his way.
Talk about Casas.
He's not known for the long ball, but he hit two for you today.
Yeah, I mean, he's struck some balls well in recent memory here.
Last 10 games he's driven some balls to the park, or, or to the wall, but hadn't got it over the wall as often as he did today, but the guy plays his ass off every day.
And, you know, playing shortstop's a burden.
You can ask Willy, you can ask Lindor.
It, it, it takes a lot out of you, and he's been doing it every day for us.
And again, the at-bats have been competitive, but his defense has been superb.
Overall, your offense, six home runs.
You had to be happy.
Yeah, no doubt.
I thought those guys had a good game plan, in the hitters meeting today, and the vibes were great.
They were having some fun in there, and they were kind of determined to kind of pick up where we left off last night.
Didn't get a win, but I do think we had some We forced them to use their closer, and, we had some momentum going out, out towards the end of the game, and it carried over into today.
What can you say about Molina?
He gave you five good innings.
Strikes.
Strikes.
Not quite as many as he had in Atlanta, but a lot of strikes, and the biggest thing I get from watching him pitch, he's a good example for the young kids, 'cause wherever he's going, he goes.
Up, down, side to side, he goes with conviction.
What happened in that second inning with the umpire?
Called out from the dugout, just wanted to know why it took the time it took to make the call.
He clapped back in our dugout, so last week I was ejected and told I was ejected 'cause I didn't come out of the dugout and talk.
Had someone from the umpiring association tell me I should just walk out, and so I walked out without any fire in me just to explain what was coming out of our dugout, and to calm the situation, and got thrown out for walking out of the dugout.
When, when you see a power outburst like this, even last night, do you think of what could've been?
You know, you got a few guys on the IL obviously that are, can go deep, too.
Yeah, yeah.
Do you think it could've been this offense, or might be hopefully if everybody back for next year?
Yeah, I mean, I think it, there's some exciting names that aren't with us right now.
A couple guys are getting ready to get active again, in minor league ball, and maybe finish the season with us.
A few guys are done.
But I'm a big believer in what our hitting guys, Hunter and OB in particular, are doing with our kids, and they're in there a ton.
Hopefully to the point where they're not overdoing it, but the conversations have been really good, and some of the adjustments have been great to watch, too.
You were great for five innings.
Could you talk about what you thought of your outing?
Well, I was, very happy with my outing.
I got ready for it.
I was very prepared for it.
And obviously I let my catcher guide me through, through the whole process.
Since you joined the, Giants, you have been very consistent.
What turned things around for you since you were traded here?
I think it has to do with the fact that, they give me the opportunity to be a starter.
I start the game, so I'm able to get myself ready, mentally ready, and obviously thanking God for the opportunity that I'm getting right now.
You also received a lot of run support.
What was it like to watch Devers and Casas get those homers?
Yeah, very happy for both of them.
I mean, they had very good, offensive, production today, and very happy that they supported me.
Last question.
W- what do you think your future's like?
'Cause it seems like it's a very bright future in San Francisco.
I think what it is, whatever opportunity the team wants to give me, I'll be ready for it.
If, whatever role they want me to do, they want me to start or be a reliever, I'm gonna be ready and willing to help the team in any way I can.
Two homers.
Tell me what you're thinking.
Is that the first time you ever did that, and how mu- how much of a great feeling was that?
First ti- yeah, first time in the big leagues.
Had a three homer game in minor leagues, but yeah, first multi and up here.
Yeah.
To do it here, against the Mets, tell me how you feel.
I mean, I'm, I'd be happy to do it against anyone, you know?
I think the game plan every time is just hit the ball hard and, you know, hope good things happen.
You get two of 'em, and glad I helped the team win today.
Your first homer gave, the team the lead, and, talk about what you were trying to do there.
Yeah, Grant had a great at-bat before.
Kind of wo- wore some pitches down.
Got a great base hit up the middle.
Yeah, just wasn't trying to hit into a double play.
After I, I took a swing on the cutter, kind of figured I wasn't gonna get another cutter.
Yeah, sometimes you j- you just swing at a ball and good things happen.
And then, the second homer, what were you trying to do there?
Yeah, I mean, kind of same thing, just get a pitch in the zone.
Kinda saw the breaking ball up and decided to go, and caught a good Could you talk about how amazing it is to watch, Rafael Devers?
He's on this surge right now.
Yeah.
Amazing's a good word.
I think he, it just, it attests to him and, and the work he's put in this year.
We kind of knew this was the player he was.
Um- Yeah, when he, when he's putting homers backside further than what I was, you know, you got a pretty special guy on your team.
Did you think you had a third one in the ninth?
I knew it didn't get me on the barrel enough.
Kind of breaking ball that didn't break as much as I want it to.
Yeah, I put a good swing on it, but was hoping more Soto would mess it up and knock it over.
But yeah.
How good was it to see the entire team, just contribute?
Yeah, I mean, we had a lot of homers.
Basabe and Grant both had them.
We know we're that kind of offense where we're not intimidated by anyone in, at any moment.
You know, we could put up a couple of runs in an inning.
I think it's just good that when we do it early, it gives our pitchers a little more leeway to, to go at some guys, and yeah.
Tony was talking about, you know, how Rafael and his two hole is just everyone knows he's coming up.
He said even in the bottom of the order, like just get on base.
Two outs in like the fifth inning, right?
Yeah.
So you're thinking, "If I can just get on, maybe we can get Rafael up again this inning with a couple of guys on"?
Yeah, I mean, him more than other guys.
You know, it's about getting the next guy up, I think.
I think good at-bats are contagious.
And so especially down at the bottom of the lineup, if we can work something or, you know, show those guys kind of what pitcher's doing, it sets them up for better success and, you know, those are the guys that cash in.
Yeah, unfortunately for us, they're doing it.
So just kind of keep the train rolling, keep the success rolling.
How good was it to see, the team, contribute offensively?
Could you talk about what you saw?
It's, really good to see them, especially because it's a very young team.
It's really good to see the young kids, taking every pitch, executing very well, and that's what we're here for, to keep learning.
How good was it to see Koz hit the two homers?
Very happy for him and also very happy when one of our young kids has a good day, and it's always good for the team.
Raffy, you've, you have been red-hot.
What's been working for you, the last 13 games?
Nothing in particular.
I've been doing the same thing.
Like I have said before, we have good times, bad times, but we're over here to improve ourselves.
You talk about, leading these kids.
Everyone keeps talking about that.
How much do you wanna lead these kids to a winning atmosphere?
I don't consider myself a leader.
I just don't do it for that reason.
I just like to teach the young kids how to play the game the right way.
At least numbers-wise, does this feel like one of your best stretches ever?
I really don't pay attention to my numbers.
I just come over here, show up every day just to work every single day.
