WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC VS NICARAGUA

March 13, 2023

Sandor Guido

LoanDepot Park

Team Nicaragua

Postgame Press Conference

Dominican Republic 6, Nicaragua 1

Q. Before the game, we spoke about your experience and how you'll manage this team from Nicaragua. Now, after the game how's your experience been for the very first time participating in a World Classic? So how do you feel?

SANDOR GUIDO: Well, after the game I believe that with this result losing leaves a bad taste, but losing to the Dominican Republic with all the stars they have, I think that we played a solid game. It was an unforgettable experience for the players, for us as a country. Our very first experience in the World Baseball Classic.

We have learned many lessons, things that we have to improve. God willing, we are going to be back in a World Classic because now we know what kind of situations we are going to face.

We are going to continue working, and I think we can make it.

Q. Can you make a comment on the ninth inning, that performance of Duque, a young player striking out three MLB stars?

SANDOR GUIDO: Extraordinary. That's one of the positive parts of the game. That young guy is under 23. He showed what he is made of when you have will, when you have heart, you can do very good things.

He came and he faced the best players of the team. Except for Machado, but it was great what he did, and we are very excited because of that. It's a good experience for him, and he is going to improve.

Q. Can you speak about those two or three plays Manny Machado in centerfield and one in left field for Juan Soto -- no, actually, Rodriguez in right field.

SANDOR GUIDO: Well, that's what I meant, our team has had a great experience. We have talent on the team. There are things that we have improve, of course, to show that ambition. I hope that some scouts have identified this talent, so that they can play outside of the country. They will be able to have more international experience. They will be able to play a better level of baseball. For them that will be much better because, bottom line, being in this tournament with the quality we have, we still have a lot to do in order to get to the highest level.

Q. First of all, I would like to congratulate you for the result. Despite the fact Nicaragua was not favored before the tournament, with the games in Spring Training versus the Mets, I think you did a good job. Are you satisfied so far with the job done by the players?

SANDOR GUIDO: Well, satisfied 100 percent? No, because you cannot be satisfied when you lose, but we are happy with our job. I think that we could have done more, a little more, but without an offense, if we don't make that adjustment that we needed to score runs, it will be very difficult. You had to play perfect to obtain victory. We beat the Mets. We had a good game against St. Louis. We were okay against Puerto Rico, but if you don't score runs if the pitching falters, well, we were leading actually 1-0, and we made the adjustment. We brought Jonathan in the eighth inning, but baseball is like that. Things didn't go well. We didn't obtain the victory, and we didn't have the offensive support to score runs and to be relaxed until the end of the game.

But we are happy. This is the first time. I think that it was not a bad job. We have got some experience, and we still have one game to go. I'm going to keep on dreaming. Maybe we can win it. Tomorrow we are going to face Venezuela. You never know.

Q. Thinking about Venezuela, tomorrow Carlos Rodriguez, Erasmo, Jonathan will be available for you. What are your thoughts about tomorrow, and who is going to be the starter?

SANDOR GUIDO: Yes, we are going to have Erasmo, Jonathan, Carlito we were told that, no, he would not be available because of his organization, that he cannot work. They congratulated him because of the job he did, and we thank him for that. We hope that he can continue representing Nicaragua in the future.

We are ready for everything. We are trying to get that victory that we all want. If we don't make it, it's because we recognize the quality of the Venezuelan team. We are going to go out and fight. If we have an opportunity and if we are leading, we are going to bring Jonathan again at the right time. You know, baseball also brings some positive moments.

Q. Sometimes when you lose, you win. With the defense Nicaragua showed today, it was great. The Dominican Republic could have scored more, but this young pitcher that played at the end, he was great. It was a World Classic, the debut of Nicaragua. Could this be a display for people to be recognized internationally?

SANDOR GUIDO: That's what I meant. These young players that came to the Classic, I hope that teams will notice. We have had a couple of guys that maybe will join my team in the summer. We've had some talks with them, and they want me to allow them. I always say, of course, go for it. I will manage the situation there, but it is important for them to go abroad and play.

They will be playing not only for themselves, and, of course, that's very important socially, personally, and financially speaking, but also for the Nicaraguan baseball. That's very important that they can explore that international market. This is going to be very, very useful for us.

Thank you. See you tomorrow.