Postgame quotes following Dodgers’ loss to Orioles in 14

Day games following night games are tough. Extra innings are tough. Extra innings on a day game following a night game are brutal, and even more so when your team comes out on the wrong side of the equation. And you could tell the Dodgers were worn out in today’s postgame media availability.

Dave Roberts mentioned that there’s a good chance this game will affect the roster move(s) made to activate Hyun-Jin Ryu tomorrow. However, he didn’t offer insight as to specific moves that may occur.

Roberts wanted to avoid using Chris Hatcher today due to workload, but by the time the 14th inning comes around, it’s “all hands on deck.” Hatcher didn’t expect to be used today, but understood Roberts going to him, given the unusual situation. He also noted that this was a first-time occurrence — Roberts has “never” told him he wouldn’t be used in a game, then used him in that game.

Bud Norris was pleased with the way he “minimized damage” in his performance today, and expressed his appreciation that the bullpen backed him up for as long as they did. On facing his former team, Norris said, “I’ve done it a few times now. I had a great run with those guys a couple years ago, and I have some great friendships over there … I might’ve played more of a chess game in my own head than anything else.”

Roberts mentioned that Kevin Gausman‘s 11-pitch plate appearance that ultimately resulted in a walk might have cost Norris an inning. On that matchup, Norris said that Gausman “obviously battled off some pitches … he made me work. De La Rosa did my last start as well. Pitchers are in the order for a reason.”

Norris isn’t the only Dodger in favor of pitchers hitting. When asked about whether or not it would have been preferable to have a designated hitter in a game like this, Chase Utley said, “I’ve only played in the National League. I like the National League. I like pitchers hitting. I like the strategy.”

Utley had a career day, going 6-for-7. It’s the first time in the veteran’s 14-year career that he’s had that many hits in a game. Utley attributed his success both in this game and of late to luck as much of anything — “just hitting the ball where they’re not playing, basically.”

Corey Seager feels similarly about his hitting streak, which reached 19 games after he doubled in the seventh. When asked about the variables that go into such a streak, he said, “Luck. Just stringing them together. There’s really no secret,” although he does feel locked in “more often than not right now.”