"I thought it was a perfect time to do it," Gonzalez said. "I'm assuming they didn't pitch [left-handed reliever Tony] Cingrani earlier in the game because he wasn't available. [Closer] Aroldis Chapman was out of the game. We were going to face the bottom of their lineup with Grilli. It was going to be our bullpen against their bullpen for the 10th [inning]. Not every situation does it make sense, but I thought this one was a good one."
Influencing Gonzalez's decision was the fact that he wanted to get Grilli back on the mound. The veteran closer had been unavailable over the previous three days because of a sore back.