Victor really respects the game. He knows that it's a long haul. We always felt like he was going to come out of it, and he did, too.

We felt like we had to keep Victor in the lineup because of the injury to Travis Hafner.

Where ya been? You're late. Victor, he's late.

Hitting a knuckleball is always tough, and he (Wakefield) knows how to utilize it better than anyone out there.

That's because the last three outs of the game are the hardest. You manage a game to get to your closer. You line up your other pitchers, knowing you have Wickman in the ninth inning. By the time I bring in my closer, I'm pretty much done managing. That's my last pitching move. The game is in his hands, and he has to get those last three outs.

Kevin was a warrior once again, ... It was a very good game until the end, when we weren't able to execute.