Gerardo Parra talks about joining the Orioles (plus postgame clubhouse quotes)

New Orioles outfielder Gerardo Parra arrived in Baltimore tonight, shortly after first pitch. He was activated for tonight's game but didn't play. He did get to meet his new teammates and watch them post a comeback 8-7 win over Detroit.

"I feel like I played today, too, being in the dugout and seeing the guys play hard. I love it," the 28-year-old Venezuelan native said.

"I feel happy to come here. Great team. They play hard every day, and I'm so happy to be here. Everybody put out a hand to me and said hello. First day, win. Just want to come in positive, play every day hard and make the playoffs."

Parra hit .328/.369/.517 in 100 games with Milwaukee. He had 24 doubles, five triples, nine homers and 31 RBIs. He is hitting .435 in July and .460 during his current 14-game hitting streak.

Was it a relief to have the trade deadline over with and at least know where he was headed?

"Just want to play hard every day. Didn't want to think too much about that because you don't have any control of that," he said. "Doesn't matter. Just want to play every day."

Parra, who won Gold Gloves in the National League in 2011 and 2013, seemed to enjoy the Orioles 8-4-2 relay tonight that cut down a run at the plate in the seventh inning.

"That's beautiful," he said. "Gold Glover playing center field. I feel happy when I see the guy play hard."

Parra said he didn't know any of the Orioles before tonight.

"No, no. Just this morning I put everything (information on the team) in my pocket for the flight here," he said. "I'm happy. Great team that works hard and we have a chance to make the playoffs.

"I never played in the American League. I'm feeling like it's the same league. Just play every day hard and don't think too much. I feel like this is my house, too. I don't want to think anything different."

Other clubhouse quotes after the victory:

Mychal Givens on getting his first major league win: "Words can't really say it. Just glad to have the win for the team. Hopefully come back tomorrow and get another W. I got a bunch of balls in my locker (from the game as momentoes). That is good."

Did Givens' previous time in the majors help the nerves tonight?: "Usually have a few butterflies every time you go out. But that previous appearance at Fenway helped it a little bit, and the appearances from spring training kind of helped. Today I felt comfortable."

Givens on the chance to possibly stick with the team for the rest of the season: "It feels good. Just taking everything in. Enjoying the moment and the time here with the team right now. Just taking one day at a time and try to not worry about anything. Just go out there and have fun."

Matt Wieters on Givens tonight: "He's got good stuff. Anyone that can throw from that (arm) angle and as hard as he can with a breaking ball on top of it. It's tough, being a rookie and pitching at home and kind of (trying to) keep the adrenaline down. I was impressed with that more than anything. Big situation, he didn't seem fazed by it at all. Did his normal routine and was ready to go."

Wieters on the O's rallying two nights in a row: "That's where you can never quit. You never know what some confidence or some good swings last night might have done for some guys tonight. Even when we get down by a lot, there is no quit in this team."

Wieters on Parra: "You could just tell with him on the bench that he wants to win. The biggest thing is you see the guys that do get traded to a team that has a chance for the playoffs, their spirits get lifted a bit."

Wei-Yin Chen on his outing tonight: "I did miss my spots a lot today. I tried to locate pitches on both sides of the plate, but unfortunately a lot of pitches went right down the middle. There were some mistake pitches (on the home runs). I have to try to learn from today, make adjustments and do better next time."