I give those guys credit over there, … They have a worse record. They’re battling. And that’s what we should be doing, to be honest with you. That’s the kind of way you’re supposed to...

I think everybody in the ballpark was thinking ‘could it happen?’ … but there’s no category for almost. I give the Angels credit for being opportunistic.

The first inning was the big inning. Coming out of the chute, we played real sloppy.

We’ve given him an opportunity, … but he’s taken advantage of it. And it’ll only make him better in the long run.

We got pounded tonight, no question. Jeremy (Bonderman) was not sharp and fell behind hitters. It just wasn’t his night. They got back on track and we just couldn’t stop them.

I didn’t think that there was any question that it was fair.

The schedule shows we play 27 more games,

Omar hasn’t been swinging all that well. He’s hit a lot of pop-ups. I still think Omar will get more of the time, but it’s going to be split up a little more, and I’ll...

If he’s swinging well, I will certainly do everything I can to get him in there as much as I can so we can really see if this is a different Carlos Pena and does...

We’re going to have to, … I’m sure he’ll be a topic. We’re not over yet, so he might make that decision easy one way or another. But he’s certainly opened some eyes. This has...

We stayed in the game but then they got a couple of hits.

Not too shabby. Getting out of that first inning was huge for him, because you could see he was nervous, but he got that big double-play ball and then he settled in.

You’d think we could do a little better.

We still have 26 games to go. I refuse to give in.

It’s been too long. But you know what? We broke it. Tomorrow, we have a chance to win the series. Haven’t had a chance to say that in quite a while.

It’s really just precautionary. He was examined by a doctor today and rest was prescribed.

What a big hit. He’s been a different player since coming back from the minors. The way he’s been swinging the bat, you’re going to get good production.

I liked what I saw, … We’re going to see him five days from now.

This guy is so valuable, we want to make sure he’s OK. Hopefully it’s just one start.

[Manager Alan Trammell had no problems with Ordonez’s summation.] You know what? He has every right to say what he thinks, … We haven’t been playing well. I was taught that if you want to...

Nothing’s been promised, … It was an opportunity to talk baseball and tell them why I think I’m a good candidate.

He was down in the dugout later,

When you think you might see him, you don’t, then there he is. It was good to see him.

It’s not unfamiliar for me to come into a situation where you’re not expected to win the World Series, … I’m not afraid to work. I like working with young players. That part doesn’t faze...

It should help us,

The wins have been hard to come by and today was no different.

You never forget your Major League debut. All the adrenaline and everything. Maybe that is the best way to do it. … Oh, and the first batter you’re facing is Vladimir Guerrero.

People can talk to you about it, but you have to go through it yourself, … It’s a great lesson that everybody has to learn. He’s made the adjustments.

What are we going to do, … jump ship and say we’re going to need some other guys?

You give them a little avenue, … and you saw what happened.

You want to get that runner, … Yes, they might still have runners on first and second with one out, but you will take your chances with that instead of letting the go-ahead run score...

In all honesty, the guys we’ve been playing, it hasn’t been a whole lot different, anyway. Whatever we’ve done to this point hasn’t really worked. I’ll go the other way. Honestly, it’s been a struggle...

This team is playing well and deserves some credit. This is a good time to be playing good baseball.

I was there and you wouldn’t be able to tell he got hit from the way he threw his side. That’s what we were looking for before we gave him the [clearance] to pitch Monday.

That’s the only way to do it because there’s no magic dust for times like this.

The way things have been going, it’s incredible.

I still feel he’s going to play [again this season], … but we’ll make that determination when he moves farther [along].

Look at [Eric] Gagne, [Trevor] Hoffman, [Mariano] Rivera. They have a way of getting out of jams,

I hope I get to continue with this because there is some unfinished business. I’m going to be in baseball for many more years, whether it is here or not. I’m not done. I’m confident...

It was like, ‘Did I just see that?’ … We’ve got the bases loaded, and we’re all excited. Seconds later … Wow!

I still think Carlos will play before the season is over.

He’s still not where he needs to be.

He’s basically knocking on the door, … Talking with [Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish], there’s no question that he’s got a special arm. He’s a little raw.

It’s been on and off for a little while. He’s been working on the change-up so much, and we think that’s what caused the irritation.

(Mauer’s) no easy at-bat. We’re going to be talking about him for years to come.

What’s there not to like about this guy?

This is exactly what the Detroit Tigers need. He’s what I call a good ballplayer who does a little bit of everything.

I just think with the options we have that it’s my best option, … even though he has not pitched well. He has pitched some good games and he’s capable in my mind, but it...

In the sixth, not being able to block the ball, that was huge. We might still be playing. … We didn’t stop them after that, but we didn’t score any runs either, so it’s a...

I sense some players have given in a little, and that’s unacceptable.