Tony Vitello optimistic after Giants' 19-run explosion in big win over Rockies
Giants manager Tony Vitello speaks with the media after San Francisco's 19-6 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at Coors Field.
Tony Vitello optimistic after Giants' 19-run explosion in big win over Rockies originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
How would you describe that outburst that your team provided today?
Oh, it was great.
you know, a, a little bit refreshing and, and then more than anything, I, I don't, you know, whether it's washing away the thoughts from the, the previous two days or, or kinda cleansing yourself with, with positive thoughts.
There was plenty to be positive about, so, you know, it's, it's hard to sleep on what the older guys did, 'cause a lot of them contributed in major ways.
I mean, Willie's big blast and, and of course Rafi had a great day, as did Jung-hoo, Schmitty.
You know, we asked him to lead off, he responded well.
But seeing Jonah and Bryce doing what they did was, was ultra exciting.
And then it's not an easy task for a guy like Brew.
I don't think I'm listening to Rockies fans behind us, and I was that guy too before.
I don't think everyone understands how small of a bullpen it is, in my opinion, especially with the way guys' arms work.
And so for our guys to execute the way they did, and we deal with an injury and Brew's not messing around out there, there was just, again, a lot of positives.
Did you consider a position player at all?
Do you, do you even have one now?
A, a little bit.
I mean, we, we kept scoring, so there was a couple things if we would've known the outcome was gonna be, you know, that, or the margin was a little bigger a little early on, you maybe would've s- done some different things.
But, you know, we got to the point we did and, Brew, Brew made it very efficient.
You mentioned the injury.
Any word on what to- Yeah, same hamstring.
He had issues with that before.
so, you know, immediately our, our thought in our little circle there in the dugout was what, what move do we need to make, you know, that's a positive, you know, to end the game?
And certainly a big negative on, on Peggy's part, but kinda knew right away.
Trainer went out and, you know, helped him off.
I know- Is this a glimpse of what this lineup can do on a more regular basis, the hitting you saw up and down the lineup?
Well, I, I think dating back to the start of our last road trip, we get updated with different numbers all the time.
But I think the glimpse A- and hey, this, this will sound a little, can be a little misconstrued because we didn't win the previous five games today.
But dating back to our first, what was it, the Dodgers was the first game of the road trip, the numbers have reflected that the guys have talent and they've been swinging the bat pretty well.
Today was just kind of an explosion and it all kinda came together, but I really feel like the tone was set in the first inning by Schmitty.
He doesn't get on base, but it's a long at-bat to start the game.
And then Willie walks, and again, you saw what Willie did on the, on the, on the grand slam.
We want him swinging the bat, but he laid off some borderline pitches and continued to set up the inning, so.
Best- I know the circumstances why you, you didn't start Jonah, because of the late night travel, et cetera.
Yeah.
But to be able to get him into the game as a pinch runner and then get him to bat in front of his hometown crowd and family, that must've been kinda cool.
It was enormous, and it's a, a strange example 'cause, again, I, I, I like the thought of a glimpse of what a team can do.
But, a, a goofy answer back would be, "Well, you know, we're not gonna try and expect to score 15-plus every inning, or every game that we play."
but the Jonah example is a great example of the better the team does, everybody else does.
And it kinda opened up the door a little bit for him to go in the game.
And to be honest with you, we were gr- probably gonna put him in either to pinch run or play defense at any point, and then there were a couple windows where, you know, the Gilbert at-bat was first and second.
We were gonna bunt with Drew, would've been perfect.
It just was really early in the game.
Jung-hoo, just this, this whole stretch that he's been on, is this the sort of player you think that he can be in the Major Leagues on a consist- consistent basis?
Yeah, I think it's who he is.
I really do.
we put him in the lead off spot and, you know, the numbers y- you know, weren't great, but if you look at the at-bats on video, they were.
He just hit a bunch of balls right at people.
I, I would think he leads our team at most hard contact outs at people.
I'm sure, there's a stat for everything.
but he's really gotten smooth in the outfield.
hopefully a glimpse, if a glimpse of anything, him kicking up the aggressiveness on the bases.
and then I think it's who he is at the plate.
He's a very gifted hitter and he's much, much more competitive than you realize unless you're up close on him every day.
