Melvin: 'We have to play good defense'
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A's manager Bob Melvin talks about his rookie starter Tommy Milone's impressive outing against the Royals.
Transcript
Probably got -- -- -- and how much do you think the defense can help him he's so efficient with his pitch count. Well he was efficient with his pitch count for him probably a little bit behind on his ball strike ratio for him I mean he's usually got more strikes and that bit. Overall pitch count was good in really good decision for me was let -- let -- he'd only gone. Six innings 73 pitches I believe it was loses was the most in spring training. He's been off a little while since since that start so. To go way it was was terrific really was. -- the defense as well tonight he just played a clean game throughout some people on the bases and how important was that for. Malone and yeah it is it's there it's big forum and also also big for us we have to play good defense and there was a little bit disappoint first couple games that we didn't -- come back with a game like this today were played you know look like who had the feel of a low scoring game. You know from about three innings on into -- so. You know a lot of times in games like attitude defensive play her defense some miscues and ends cost -- game in and I know for. You know if I'm Tommy out there on the mound known these guys are making it making the plays it's a lot bloody easier to throw balls in play. Bob how important is it for Gallagher Donaldson he made that great back handed short hop from Redick and then he has the the RBI and people saying you know maybe he's not the answer at third I have a great game like that overall. Yeah AME news do you typically think of great games is two homers six RBIs games bit. That's just as big inning game like that to make defense plays like that. To get a big hit go the other way to do it. You know all those things claim your confidence and end up. You know being even bigger in games like this were in. Mormon offensive day in an offensive game me you know it seems like a better -- that's that's a great day for him and gone along way for his confidence. Talk about a Malone in general since spring started on harming -- Are you surprised at just what you're getting from hammers this tennis did you know what -- expect -- well I I surprise anyone as long as he did today based on. How many innings he's pitched in in his discount spring training that. You know those he's he's the type -- pitcher even if he gets behind in the count he has a pitch to get himself out because he can throw off count breaking balls. When he's behind and therefore he's very you know he's unpredictable. And pitches in just enough to take the open outside corner for himself and his changeup and so like I said surprising maybe anyway innings eight innings today not not the overall performance no. What did you think of -- -- do think maybe there especially in the first inning and my dad giving guys some early momentum there's no doubt it with a runner like that in the first inning. I thought -- played the infield back I was actually thinking about it at the time in in all you gotta do is get a ground ball and it's a runs so. That was a key key. Playing the game to throw out runner of his magnitude that's over it's a fast runner on top of it. And any was on the run when he caught the ball so you know you lose sight of those as the game goes along but that's as big -- play in the game as any. Suzuki seem to get back on track -- at the plate answer and a runner what does that do for him and for you guys. Well he's he's he's a big card for us than any season guys it's it's majority of the time behind the plate. With a young pitching staff they rely on him I'm sure Tommy and shake him off much tonight at all because he knows it that -- knows the opponent in. And I think -- got some of -- this year offensively once through the thought last year was just a down year for him. Spent a lot of time working in the weight room and get a little bit stronger this year so I know we have something to prove offensively. What did you think of Daric Barton tonight inaction. He got off to a slow start obviously last year even with the glove he makes a nice plays in the field what did you think of him at the plate as well. Guy is swing looks to be good to me better this year quicker more velocity to it and I think. You know much last year was the first I'd seen him in and wasn't aware at the time. Of the shoulder problem so. That's all taking care of now I think he's -- I know he's feeling confident about. What he's been doing his rehab it and it was nice to get him here when you're swinging the bat on rehab to. So get good to have -- back. I have not well we've just got the news late in the game that he needs them. Surgery we don't know if that's what kind of surgery I don't know either. Oh I don't know I just got the news you came in night you've probably got a four -- in major I was just told on the way to -- so I don't know what the surgery entails and it. Tough break for us and has worked so hard to to. Try to get back to the pitching we have very much so and to get back and pitch as well as he did last year for a stint I mean he was as effective as pitchers we had the bullpen. It -- when I first got here he was a guy that we were targeting of bringing games whether -- seventh inning with guys on base. So really look like he was back to form last year and then later on in the season obviously -- didn't work out Foreman now I asked to go. Have surgery two incidents very disappointing not certainly for him and also for us.



















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