People ask me what I’m doing different this year with runners in scoring position. I’m being more patient right now. Last year, I think I was swinging at everything they threw me. I was too aggressive.

Now, I’m taking whatever they’re giving me, then trying to have a good swing. If they pitch me away, I will hit it the other way. The other day [Tuesday against the Nationals Craig Stammen] he made a good pitch, down-and-away. I was able to hit the ball the other way for a home run. He made a good pitch, too. I had a good swing, and the ball went out to the opposite field. You can only control what you can control. I was able to do my job.

My hitting has been a lot of hard work. I’ve been working with Jim Presley [hitting coach], Hawk [Andre Dawson] and Tony Perez. I’ve been more patient. I’m hitting the ball all over the place. Whatever it takes. I’ve been taking whatever they’re giving me.

I’m really happy with what we’ve been doing as a team. But there is a long way to go. A long way to go.

— Hanley