AL WILD CARD SERIES: RAYS VS GUARDIANS

October 7, 2022

Amed Rosario

Emmanuel Clase

Progressive Field

Cleveland Guardians

Postgame Press Conference

Cleveland Guardians - 2, Tampa Bay Rays - 1

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Amed, were you worried that you didn't step on second base?

AMED ROSARIO: Not really because I was certain that I stepped on the base.

Q. The longer that replay took huddling, the officials, did you get concerned atmosphere all?

AMED ROSARIO: Not really because I was really certain of what happened.

Q. Emmanuel, what's it like for you, what's the feeling like whenever you're running in a game like that with the crowd and that atmosphere?

EMMANUEL CLASE: It was okay because I was prepared for this. I was told before that I could pitch in this scenario, so I was prepared for this and I was really excited that I got the opportunity to do it.

Q. What do you do in between those innings when you need that extra time and you don't know that uncertainty when you're going to pitch again?

EMMANUEL CLASE: For me it's just normal. I just try to stay calm and in control and take care of my arm, put it in a towel to stay warm, and just stay very still to be ready for the next inning.

Q. What sets someone like Austin Hedges apart from other catchers you've worked with in the past?

EMMANUEL CLASE: I think we have a good group of experienced catchers and even with Bo Naylor the last experience is really good when he catches me. I feel like they know how we pitch and they set up the proper location, so it makes it a lot easier for us to pitch.

Q. Amed, does anything Ramírez do at this point at the plate surprise you?

AMED ROSARIO: I mean, nothing surprises me. For me, he's the best player in baseball. Not only the way how he plays the game, but I see his mentality, his energy, and his happiness that he comes with to the field every day makes him different and a unique player.

Q. Has he gotten you a contract extension yet?

AMED ROSARIO: No, we haven't got it to that point yet. (Laughing.)

Q. Were you upset that the Rays appealed that play? Did you think that that was kind of bush?

AMED ROSARIO: No, not at all. I feel that this is part of the game and after all it's a competition. But again, I think it helped us because at the end when we got the result because that was an extra emotion for us.

Q. Amed, we know how you close and José are. How much has his presence at least affected you and what have you learned from him and your friendship together?

AMED ROSARIO: I think it's the most important part. For me one of the most important things is the vibe, the way how you feel every day, and with him the vibe is always the same. He gets me going, he never falls down, he's always supported me, so I feel like for me my performance and the way I do things is a hundred percent related to the relationship with him.

Q. Emmanuel, what was it like getting your first postseason save, first postseason appearance?

EMMANUEL CLASE: It's a really good feeling. It's really exciting. The adrenaline hits differently. But at the same time, this is what I'm prepared for and this is what I'm excited to compete against and in these tough scenarios I'm really excited and looking forward to tomorrow.

Q. Has Tito to told you to be prepared to go more than one inning?

EMMANUEL CLASE: Yeah, also Carl, the pitching coach, summoned me yesterday and told me to be ready starting from the 7th because they may need me when the game's on the line.

Q. So three innings tomorrow?

EMMANUEL CLASE: If they put me in, I got to do it (laughing.)

Q. Amed, how proud are you the way you guys handled the moment? The playoffs weren't too big for your team.

AMED ROSARIO: I'm really happy and very proud what they done because they haven't changed the way how we played the whole year with the same intensity and same desire, nothing has changed. So for me I'm really happy with the way how they shown up today.