AL DIVISION SERIES: MARINERS VS ASTROS

October 13, 2022

Framber Valdez

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Postgame 2 Press Conference

Houston Astros - 4, Seattle Mariners - 2

THE MODERATOR: We'll open it up for Framber Valdez.

Q. It seemed like you were pretty displeased with the ball four to Suárez there. Just what did you think of that at-bat and how did that kind of affect how things unfolded afterwards?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: I definitely wasn't pleased with the situation and the result. I thought the pitch was a strike. Umpire called it a ball. But there's not much we can do after that. But I did feel good that I was able to navigate around that and get out of that inning.

Q. What are you and your teammates thinking about what Yordan is doing as he hits that two-run homer in the clutch again?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: We definitely feel very happy always trusting Yordan and always relying on Yordan in those kind of situations. It gives us a lot of confidence that we know that we can trust in him to get us out of tough situations like that one.

Definitely feel very happy that he did that and was able to get us the lead.

Q. What did you think about your performance overall and how happy were you that Neris was able to close that inning out?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: I feel pleased with my outing, especially given the fact that I haven't pitched in about like 10 days. But then again feel very pleased and have all the trust in Neris, Abreu, Montero, Pressly. They all did a great job and they give us the confidence and the trust that they're going to do a really good job and get us to the World Series.

Q. The bullpen's given up one earned run in eight-and-a-third innings this postseason. Could you describe the level of confidence this team has when those guys are on the mound?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: Definitely it's confidence inspiring, especially given the fact that we can trust them in case whenever we come out of the game that they're going to hold the game wherever the game is at that moment with all the relievers, our closers, and it really gives us a lot of confidence that the game will stay definitely right there.

Q. How much confidence does it give the team to go 2-0 to Seattle with a chance to reach another Championship Series?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: It feels great, but always staying positive, always staying focused, and hopefully we're able to get the job done there.

Q. You had a sub-2 ERA against the Seattle Mariners in your career. How much confidence did that give you?

FRAMBER VALDEZ: I wouldn't necessarily say I felt comfortable throwing to them, but it was all about the focus. I was very focused today and I felt confident in all my pitches, my sinker, my curveball, and my changeup, to throw all those pitches for strikes. I was able to get to the 6th inning and keep the game where it was and give the team a chance to win.

Q. Can you tell us about the throw home that allowed the first run to score, and then the impact of having Martín Maldonado behind the plate.

FRAMBER VALDEZ: Martín, like I always said, is a guy that gives us a lot of confidence, not only with his catching, but also the pitch calling and everything he does for us throughout the game.

That throw home I wanted to make a good throw there, but everything happened fast and those are just things that happen within the game. But Martín helped me calm back down and be able to get out of it and still get into the 6th inning.