NL WILD CARD SERIES: PHILLIES VS CARDINALS

October 7, 2022

Jean Segura

Busch Stadium

Philadelphia Phillies

Postgame Press Conference

Cardinals 3 - Phillies 6

Q. This is the 2-2 slider. Can you take us through that at-bat? You gotta put it in play there. What's the mindset?

JEAN SEGURA: Absolutely. It was bases loaded. The infield was halfway through. It was really tough to pick up the ball. I just really trying to put the ball in play and play the game.

Q. What does it mean to you personally to come out here with a victory and have such a big role in it when this is your first post-season game after ten years in the Big Leagues?

JEAN SEGURA: It's meant a lot, but we still have a long way to go. The job is not finished. We win today, come back tomorrow and keep playing baseball.

Q. Can you describe the energy that you guys were feeling as the line kept moving in the ninth?

JEAN SEGURA: JEAN SEGURA: When you come from behind, the energy is going to pump it up. And I just kept and didn't get to me. I know I got the big hit today, but tomorrow will be maybe another guy and just play the game.

Q. Alvarado has been so big for this team for almost four months, and he gives up the big hit there. What did it mean to you personally to help bail him out?

JEAN SEGURA: He's throwing the ball really good. I think today he was pitching really good. It is just one pitch. He hang it and put a good swing on it. Alvarado is a guy that we're going to need in the stretch, and he's been huge for us. And he helped a lot this ball club to get to where we are right now. So just one pitch. The only mistake he make today was one pitch, and he threw strikes. I know he walked one batter, but it was like close pitches. And when you see him walk people, the guy is going to be good.

Q. It was obviously so important to you to get to the playoffs for the first time in your career, and you had always wondered, I guess, what it would be like. So how was it? How did the atmosphere compare to what you imagined?

JEAN SEGURA: I mean, I was ready today. I wake up at 7:00 am with adrenaline in my body knowing that I am going to play a post-season game today. I was like mentally focused on every play, every pitch prepared. I came prepared today to play a game, and I just to be able to be here to me, I just thank God that everything went to my side.

Q. And when you come up in that spot, I mean, you're a guy who puts the bat on the ball. Did you feel like you were going to come through? And how tough was it to pick up that spin?

JEAN SEGURA: I don't really feel like I was going to get through. I just -- I was like mentally prepared, like tell myself, like calm down. It's just another baseball game, just trying to put the ball in play. If it happens, happens. If it gets to the big hit, fine. If not, fine. Keep moving forward. I was not looking for that one particular pitch at that at-bat. I just do my best knowing where is my strength as a baseball player, put it one play, big thing happens.

Q. When the ball went through, Jean, it looked like you jumped in the air, leaped in the air. Can you sort of describe what that felt like in that moment, how you felt, what was going through your body when that ball went through?

JEAN SEGURA: It's a lot of adrenaline in my body. Just like when you give a little kid a toy and just jumping around and happiness. Like I mean, just it's such a great feeling when you go through and the situation like that, especially in the postseason. That's why you play the game. That's why you come a big leaguer to those type of moments, because I think when you come through in those type of moments, people and the fans are going to remember you forever. So I just want to get to those spots and do the best I can, and thank God be able to come through in moments like that in my career. But first time in the playoffs, first game, not much more I can ask.

Q. You guys have had throughout the season a lot of kind of come-from-behind wins like this. Where do you put this one on the list?

JEAN SEGURA: The top. I mean, you play a postseason game. And when you got one of the best closers, best relievers on the mound and take a game like that, come from behind when the guy is throwing 110, I mean, the guys do a really good job, pass the baton, get so the walks. Don't try to be a hero. Just pass it on to the guys behind you. And that's why we got a victory today.

Q. You were part of one of the biggest plays of the game in that sixth inning with Pujols up, that double play. I mean, what was it like playing behind Zach today and seeing him get that ground ball in such a big situation?

JEAN SEGURA: Zach is one of those guys that he's going to get after you. He doesn't care who you are. He's going to attack you. He's going to throw you where you're not able to skirt a ball. That's our guy. So I see today -- first time I see him today locked in, and I mean, it was amazing.

Q. You and Bryson accounted for three RBIs today. What does it mean for you both to play a big part in this win?

JEAN SEGURA: I think the kids, some VIPs on our team. He's the guy that got 24-25 years old, to be able to play with that calm and level, especially in the postseason. He walked twice today. He take really good at-bats. That's Philadelphia. Have to love this kid, man. It's not easy to come with 24 years old onto the postseason and be at the level to play the game the way he played.

He basically looked like he's 34-35. He's only 25. I think he's going to keep learning a lot of time, attention, some stuff of the game and the kid listens. And I think he's going to be a really good baseball player.

Q. What was that emotion like in the dugout going into the top of the ninth knowing what you guys needed to do?

JEAN SEGURA: It was a good emotion. I think when the ball get through, we were really take that momentum of the game. Just it's another game, a playoff game. I know all the games are important for us. We still have a lot of work to do. We have to face a really, really good team down the stretch. The Cardinals are a really good team, too. And I feel like today we got our opportunity, but tomorrow we have to come prepared and play as good as today.