Giants’ reliever enjoys fun of Dodgers rivalry
Edited transcript of a conversation with Giants pitcher Sergio Romo:
Q: Did something have to change for you to play this good, efficient baseball against the Dodgers? A: I honestly don’t know if it’s just we’re playing them or if they kind of bring the best out of us. I’m not too sure. Every time we play them, it’s close games, high-intensity games and there is a lot going on. Fans are really into it, which is amazing, and it’s fun baseball. Q: Given how you guys kind of got to Clayton Kershaw (for) those first two runs, it kind of epitomizes your identity: scratching, fighting, clawing, digging in. It might not be pretty, glamorous, there might not be three-run home runs going out every other inning, but is that the identity you’re talking about: “The Scrappers”? A: Yeah. We’ve proven to be a group of fighters. ... It’s an identity we’ve taken on not just these last couple of days but these last couple of years. We’ve always felt like we had our backs up against the wall, had something to prove. These last couple of days have shown what we really are: we’re gonna scrap, we’re gonna do whatever it takes to get that win. Q: Sergio, got to ask you about the big moment (Wednesday) night: (Gregor) Blanco coming around third, there’s (coach) Roberto Kelly, there’s a little contact, (umpire) Fieldin Culbreth doesn’t see it, (Dodgers manager) Don Mattingly is upset, no call is made, you guys win the game on ( Joe) Panik’s sac fly. How much did you guys talk about it after the game? And did you get to see the replay? What did you think of the collision? You guys get a break there? A: My understanding of the rule was he was already stopping. It wasn’t like he was trying to advance and Kelly completely stopped him or took all of his momentum away. All in all, it looked like he was slowing down, like he was stopping there. I understand that they’re going to do everything they can to win, but it is what it is. Q: One of those things we noticed is that the runner at third with one out hasn’t been automatic either, and your kid Joe Panik gets the job done there against a tough lefty. This guy has been on the club for less than a year, and I got to feel like you were confident with him up at the plate even though he’s essentially still a baby. A: Yeah. He’s shown the ability to go out there and keep a cool head. Everything that’s been thrown his way he’s been able to handle it, not just with professionalism but with composure. He’s been as composed as anyone. He’s been as cool and collected in tough situations. What he was able to do for us last season was amazing, especially considering we had no one else in that position — he had to, it was him or nobody and he showed up. So far this season, he’s had clutch hits for us. He’s sound defensively, as good as any I’ve seen.