WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL A - PANAMA VS CHINESE TAIPEI

March 8, 2023

Luis Castillo

Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium

Team Panama

Postgame Press Conference

Panama 12, Chinese Taipei 5

Q. How impressed were you with your team defense tonight, especially Castillo's catch in the outfield?

LUIS CASTILLO: That was a hell of a catch. But he's a good ballplayer. I know these kids. I scouted these kids, so I know he has played for me previously, also very good outfielder. Used to be a center fielder, but now he's a little bit older, I've got to move him to right field. That was a hell of a play. My team can play defense. We can pitch and we can play defense.

Q. The crowd was pretty loud tonight, most of the game. How are you guys able to block that out and play your game?

LUIS CASTILLO: Block the outside noise by putting points on the board. After you score, that intensity is going to be gone. They are going to shut up, and that's what we did. We said let's score some runs so they can shut up.

Q. (No translation.)

LUIS CASTILLO: They played well, starting the game. I kind of expected a little bit better pitching from them. They can play defense. They are aggressive. They make contact. But head-to-head we beat them. That's the bottom line.