Lon Simmons: Well Rich, big night, no doubt about it. You've had many of them, but this night was a big night for a couple of reasons for you.

Aurilia: Well, yeah, it was. Coming in to the series tonight, it's a big series for us. I don't think it's a do-or-die series, but we want to come out with a victory in the series. And to get us on the board, and to get a big hit later in the game, you know, is big. `Cause that's what I think that's what's going to win us some games in September, make a difference.

LS: You had an interesting spectator tonight, did you?

Aurilia:Oh yeah. My little guy was here tonight, and my mom and dad were also in town, so I hit one for my mom and dad, and one for my little guy.

LS: That's the first one you hit for Chaz.

Aurilia:Yeah.

LS: There had been only one ball hit out of the infield by the Giants until you hit that homerun. What were you thinking in that first at bat when you hit the homerun? Aurilia:Well, there were two outs and nobody on, and lots of times with Barry hitting behind you, a pitcher will try to come at you and have you get yourself out rather than walk you. But Bobby Witt hung a slider, first pitch. It was out over the plate, a little up, and I kinda got my hands extended, and hit it good enough to get it out of the park.

LS: Well, even if they hang a slider, and it's the first pitch and you might be looking fastball, it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to hit it, does it?

Aurilia:No, definitely not. You're always up there trying to make adjustments. By no means I was looking for a slider right there. I just adjusted to it, and it was I guess right where I could hit it pretty good. LS: Alright, the next one you hit was on 3-2.

Aurilia:Yeah, it was a 3-2 fastball. Bautista had thrown me 6 straight fastballs. A couple of them weren't too close to the zone. He got that one down in the strike zone, and I just dropped the head on it and hit it in almost exactly the same spot I hit the first one. So, something for consistancy, I guess.

LS: Everybody talks about your offense, because it has been remarkable, you've got your highest season totals in home runs and RBIs. But defensively you've been magnificent out there. You and Kent must work a great deal before the ballgame.

Aurilia:Well, thanks first of all for the compliment. Jeff and I, I think people would be surprised, we don't work together as much as people would think. I think we've just learned each other's actions and movements out there over the past three or four years from playing together. That's what double play combinations are supposed to do-- know where each other's supposed to be at certain times, and know where the guy likes to feed, and just playing with Jeff for the last four years, I think we might be the longest tenure double play combination in the National League. It really helps. Your work before the game probably isn't as important as remembering what's been done in the past.

LS: Well congratulations, Rich. Great night.

Aurilia:Thank you, Lon.

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