WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC VS NICARAGUA

March 13, 2023

Cristian Javier

LoanDepot Park

Team Dominican Republic

Postgame Press Conference

Dominican Republic - 6, Nicaragua - 1

Q. Hello, Cristian. We have seen your quality as a pitcher, how did you beat these players that have experience in their league in this important game? What do you do in terms of locating your pitches, to have good control and command as you have done in the last years?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: Well, thank God every time you go out to the field, you get ready, you work on a daily basis to obtain those results. Thank God. I'm trying to attack the players and to locate my pitches to try to beat them as quickly as possible.

Q. Can you speak about having so many superstars behind you on the field?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: That's extremely important. When you have a team like this with stars, you are more confident. You know, you can attack the zone because you know that you have a good team supporting you, and that's very useful.

Q. Congrats for the victory. You had the responsibility to help the Dominican team to get their first victory. What was the plan you applied, and especially if there was a hitter or a batter, no matter the result, that was more difficult or challenging for you?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: Successful was to believe in God and to attack the hitters and locating the pitches in the zone. That was the key for me.

Maybe the first at-bat was the most difficult one.

Q. Cristian, my question is, you pitched four quality innings. Was it easy pitching to Francisco Mejia? Were you confident with that combination?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: Of course. First of all, we had great communication. We were engaged, connected, calling the right pitches, supporting each other. Between the innings, we adjusted the plan and that helped us a lot in getting the victory.

Q. How impactful was the crowd, the atmosphere in this World Classic?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: That was key for me. The fans supported us all the time, and that motivates you. You go out to the field to do your best for them.

Q. Winning last year with Houston, and now representing your country in this World Classic and giving the first victory to the DR. What are your thoughts? What does this mean to you?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: It means a lot to me. This is a blessing, things of God. God chooses me to be successful, to obtain that success, and to keep looking forward. I'm very proud. I'm very happy with God. He choose me for this victory, and I thank him for that.

Q. How does this experience compare to what you did in the World Series?

CRISTIAN JAVIER: It was tough. Only two innings I attacked the zone. I was focused. The fans supported me.