AL WILD CARD SERIES: BLUE JAYS VS TWINS

October 4, 2023

Jhoan Duran

Target Field

Minnesota Twins

Postgame Press Conference

Twins - 2, Blue Jays - 0

Q. With your finger there, what happened? And were you concerned you might not be able to keep pitching the inning?

JHOAN DURAN: It was nothing to worry, I just made a cut with my nail. And they just came up to clean the blood that was coming out so that it wouldn't affect my pitches.

Q. Three strikeouts all on one splitter, one a curve, one a fastball, three different pitches. How proud are you to be able to count on all three of those pitches in such a big situation?

JHOAN DURAN: It just feels really good. I want to thank all the staff that has helped me improve all those pitches. And it just feels nice that I can count on three different pitches to get the batters out. And Luis Ramirez has helped me to improve all this.

Q. What did you feel after that last out?

JHOAN DURAN: Lots of emotions at that time. We've known what this organization has gone through for the last year. So it just feels nice to give this back to the fans.

Q. After the surgery out on the mound there, and then you throw the first two balls up here, did you think "I better throw a strike or they're coming to get me; they'll be nervous"?

JHOAN DURAN: Not really. I started pretty fast. But after those pitches, I got back on track with my pitches and I was just throwing to get the batters out.

Q. What was the fan support like again? And was it easier to handle than yesterday?

JHOAN DURAN: I really try not to pay attention to it. I was really focused on the first and second outs that I made, and once I made the final out, that's when I started feeling all the energy from the fans.