Atlanta Braves second baseman Marcus Giles was nice enough to give me a few minutes of his time last weekend to talk about his first half performance and what he's looking forward to in the second half.

Martin Gandy (Gandy): Marcus, how would you rate your performance in the first half?

Marcus Giles (Giles): I'd say as a team it was below average and personally it was worse than that. So, whatever grade you want to give it from there.

Gandy: What can you do to improve on your performance in the second half?

Giles: Just keep working hard and try to get back to the basics. Look at film and watch things of success instead of things of failure. [It's] always good to have a positive train of thought when you step in there.

Gandy: Are you watching more film?

Giles: No, not really. Instead of watching what you're doing wrong, maybe watch what you're doing right and try to capitalize on those things.

Gandy: Are you going back a couple of years and watching some old film?

Giles: No, not really. Just this year's hits and when you're feeling comfortable. It's mainly a mental thing, not a physical thing. And just keep it going and mainly just help turn this club around and give ourselves that chance at a playoff berth. I think the more we try to help ourselves win a championship the better off we'll be personally.

Gandy: What do you like most about this Braves team, and what do you like the least?

Giles: Oh shoot, I don't know. What kind of question is that? No comment.

Here is some bonus coverage from questions that were asked of Giles by reporters after Sunday's win over the Reds.

Reporter: Do you feel good about the way you guys are playing?

Giles: Absolutely, we'll take it. Good turnaround, good finish to the first half. It gives us something to look forward to going into the second half, gives us some momentum to work off of. You know, it's going to be an exciting second half definitely from the beginning. A couple of weeks ago when we were struggling I said don't count us out, and it still goes the same right now.

Reporter: Most encouraging, a bunch of you guys have long hitting streaks, everybody in the lineup is getting hot at the same time?

Giles: Absolutely, I think that's the key; one through three hitters getting on base, and the way Frenchy and Mac [Brian McCann] can drive in runs, that's just a bonus. We just need to keep going.

Reporter: Marcus for you, not just your hitting, but getting on base with the walks, you've got to feel good about that?

Giles: Absolutely, like I said, when Renie [Edgar Renteria] and I can go out there and set the table for Chip and Andruw, Frenchy and Mac and those guys who can really drive in runs it's only going to help us, and it's an example of it the last few games.

Reporter: The break is here, it's kind of tough to break up what's been going good here lately?

Giles: That's the only unfortunate thing about this break is to break up our hot streak right now, but that doesn't mean we can't keep it going and pick up where we left off in San Diego. But I know I'm looking forward to getting on a plane here in two hours.

Reporter: It's always been the top of the order that's kind of set the table for the rest of the guys, it's amazing how that's what's doing it again?

Giles: Yeah, it's just the whole key for us. The way our pitching has stepped up this last month, especially the bullpen, hats off to them they've pitched great this last month. It's imperative that Renie [Edgar Renteria] and I get on there and set the table for the big dogs behind us, it only can help us, and I think we showed that this series.