[Hitting coach Greg] Walker showed us before the game that he gets most of his outs on inside pitches. We were looking for pitches out over the plate and looking to take them up the middle or the opposite way.

I had an opportunity to play in the World Series and actually play in a game and get meaningful at-bats. To be in that situation . . . it didn't sink in until I got home and sat down.

We've been working toward a defense that is more aggressive and gets after people, and some of that showed in this game. It was a pleasant surprise, since season-opening games are so unpredictable.

Kyle's has been hitting the ball really well for us in the last two weeks. Even his outs have been hard hits.

He's hitting everything on the screws. Even his outs are spectacular.

It is very comforting for our pitchers to know that the pitches they throw for outs - they'll get outs. We've been getting some above-average defensive play out there, and the success of our pitching goes hand in hand with the success of our defense.