WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - VENEZUELA VS PUERTO RICO

March 12, 2023

Yadier Molina

LoanDepot Park

Team Puerto Rico

Postgame Press Conference

Venezuela 9, Puerto Rico 6

Q. As a manager, what are your thoughts when your starter is not able to finish the first inning easily, and then in the second inning you give him, again, the opportunity because you want to use him as much as possible? What did you think at that moment?

YADIER MOLINA: Just like you said. You said it all. This was not what we had planned, but this is part of the game, and we trusted in Berrios. Anyone can have a bad day.

It didn't go well, but we trust in him.

Q. Clearly the momentum changed, but what happened to get that rally started with a walk to lead off and then the top of the lineup was following that?

YADIER MOLINA: We fight. We fought hard. I mean, like crazy. We want to come back in the game, and we started the rally. They have a really good team over there. You see that, but we fight. It was one of those games that you try the most that you can, but they pitched well. They hit the ball really well.

Q. This loss puts you in a very difficult game on Wednesday, considering that you beat Israel tomorrow - looking for the qualification on Wednesday. What do you think about the atmosphere about that game that could be the most complicated one in the first round?

YADIER MOLINA: Let me be honest, we are focused on the game tomorrow. Try to turn the page about what happened today, and then after the game tomorrow we are going to have a day of, and we are going to be more focused on the game on Wednesday.

Q. What adjustments can you make for tomorrow considering this negative result? What positive lessons can you take?

YADIER MOLINA: We fought. We fought all the way. Of course, that rally put us back in the game, and we are motivated for tomorrow. We didn't start very well. Again, the pitching didn't handle their offense early, and then we were better in that sixth inning. We are going to be focused for tomorrow.