[La Russa on Saturday suggested Brad Thompson would be Mulder's replacement if he couldn't pitch on Sunday. Duncan preferred Eldred.] Cal's had four days off and he's done it before, ... Thompson has pitched well in his role so why disrupt him?

In my opinion, and I think Dave [Duncan, pitching coach] shares this, if we had Al Reyes healthy, then I think Jason would pitch Game 4 just because of the success he's had against Houston -- especially in that ballpark. But we don't have him healthy. And [Marquis] is a force that we think will help us out of the 'pen in a lot of games in an area where we may be a little vulnerable.

Hancock and Brad both, in fastball counts they threw fastballs, which is OK as long as you have some movement and some location. Right down the middle, that's not what they were trying to do. [They] paid the penalty.

My whole concentration on the game is affected by a pitch that got away. You know, that looks so terrible. The guy is a great pro. I just talked to Julian in there for a long time. Nothing against him, as soon as he fell out of his delivery...the ball has to get down. He's a sinker ball pitcher. That incident screws up the whole night for me.

There's a way to win when the other guy is pitching good against you. You've got to pitch and defend well against them. We didn't defend that well today, either.

He pitched nine innings against a tough offensive club -- that's dominating. He had a 2-0 pitch to a terrific hitter and he hit the ball out of the state. But that's the last run they got. That's outstanding pitching. No disrespect to anybody in either league who's doing great, but there's nobody greater than Chris. He's clutch.