AL DIVISION SERIES: ASTROS VS WHITE SOX

October 10, 2021

Martin Maldonado

Luis Garcia

Guaranteed Rate Field

Houston Astros

Postgame 3 Press Conference

Chicago, 12 - Houston, 6

Q. Martín, what was your take on that play involving Grandal in the fourth inning when he was running down the line?

MARTÍN MOLDANDO: I don't know what the rule -- I think the rule is different when, you know, you are throwing to first instead of first to home, but I think it was clear that he was on the grass. You know, I think we had the infield. Then the question would be the ground ball to second base that he would go straight to second base to do it? You know, it was clear. I know they got together, the umpire, but I think they can at least go out there and talk to Coach about that play. That changed the game.

Q. How difficult of a situation is that for Yimi to inherit a 2-0 count and how do you kind of approach that when you have a new pitcher in there, but you are already behind in the count 2-0 like that?

MARTÍN MOLDANDO: Pretty much like I would approach it with Luis. It wasn't any different. I would throw a bad pitch and got hit out. I think we did really good today. I feel like that homer -- I feel like we got some good base hits or we wasn't -- the fourth inning was a crazy inning.

Q. How do you think Urquidy will be able to kind of answer the bell tomorrow and, you know, it's a pretty important game for you guys now?

MARTÍN MOLDANDO: I think we're going to be fine. Urquidy has a World Series win before with us, and you got to go out there and execute pitches. Overall I think we're going to be fine.

Q. Luis, were you surprised that Dusty came and got you in the middle of an at-bat right there, and did you feel like you could have stayed in and pitched longer?

LUIS GARCIA: I mean, yeah, I was surprised, but, you know, he is a manager. He takes the decisions, so can't do anything about that.

Q. Martín, just overall how do you think the guys are going to respond tomorrow, a long game and, you know, it's not a must-win, but surely a game you guys would like to have to avoid a game five and just Dusty said you got to flush this one. How do you think you guys look at it in the clubhouse?

MARTÍN MOLDANDO: You know, after the game, we were excited for tomorrow's game overall. We've been there before. It's not the first time we lose a game. I think last year we lost on the third game against the Oakland As, so I think we're going to go out there and play hard like we always do tomorrow, so I don't think that's changed the outcome of our mentality going into tomorrow's game.

Q. Martín, from your vantage point, was the strike zone hard to adjust to tonight, the calling the game and offensively?

MARTÍN MOLDANDO: Yeah, it was a tough night, overall. I think the strike zone was a little bit inconsistent where we like to be, and I know they made some calls from both sides. You know, I think it was a tough night. You know, there's nothing you can do much when an umpire call the ball and everything argue too much because, you know, you never see an umpire turn the call.

Q. Martín, what will your game day relationship be like with a pitcher, so tomorrow, for example, with Jose, will you send him a text or talk to him before he even gets there, and then what's it like when you get to the ballpark? I know you are working with a lot of guys, but just give us an example?

MARTÍN MOLDANDO: Pretty much building confidence for him tomorrow. You know, I think my worst start today after the game. I tell him he is our guy, and that's the guy that we trust a lot. Like I say, that guy before has won a World Series game, so I think I probably shoot him a text tomorrow morning and see how he wakes up or how he is feeling, and then after that, we're going to meet about what we always do with the starter. Overall, I think it is building that confidence how good he is going to be to help us to keep us in the game.

Q. For either player, just how tough of a matchup has Tim Anderson been facing him in the playoffs?

MARTÍN MOLDANDO: He has been all right. What do you want me -- I don't know what you expect me to say, though.