NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS PHILLIES

October 18, 2023

Lourdes Gurriel

Gabriel Moreno

Chase Field

Arizona Diamondbacks

Workout Day Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We're here with Gabi and Lourdes.

Q. I guess for both of you, how would you describe what's been going on with the offense the last couple of games?

LOURDES GURRIEL, JR.: They just face a couple of great pitchers. They executed their plan or they did what they're supposed to, so in my opinion, there's nothing to worry about.

GABRIEL MORENO: I would agree with Lourdes. They executed their plan. They have their plans too for future games, and it's all about who executes the plan the best.

Q. What does it mean to be nominated for the Golden Glove award?

GABRIEL MORENO: It's part of these accolades -- it's part of our routines, right? We work. We live for this. So the fact that I am just a finalist for this, it's something great.

Q. During the regular season they've had an up and down where you guys won a couple of games and then lost, but battled back and got back on track. How does that mentality kind of fit to the situation you guys are in now where you've lost a couple but now you can fight your way back here at home?

GABRIEL MORENO: Yeah, the up and downs are part of the game, and it comes with the business. I believe in each one of my guys, including myself, and I believe that there's going to be better results coming up. All we can do is control what we can control.

Q. This one is for Gabi. Brandon Pfaadt obviously at times this year has struggled giving up home runs, and the Phillies are really good at hitting homers. How do you keep Brandon in the park? How do you kind of slow down that Phillies lineup?

GABRIEL MORENO: Brandon comes back from a great performance, and the key was actually executing his pitches. I believe that because of it, he will have the advantage in executing his plan, and normally that would be the goal for him.

Q. For both of you, after a game like last night, do you try and flush it from your memory? Do you try and use it for motivation? How do you kind of mentally deal with that?

LOURDES GURRIEL, JR.: Just like in the regular season, you kind of have to erase it from your brain and execute your plan for the next day.

GABRIEL MORENO: Pretty important games. Like it was said before, there's a new series being back at home, and it's going to be on.

Q. This is also for both of you guys. There was a lot made out of the environment playing in Philadelphia, the hostile crowd. I'm curious what role in your opinion the fans play in the team's performance on the field and what your expectations are for the home crowd now that the series is moving back here?

LOURDES GURRIEL, JR.: We're used to facing big crowds, and this is part of the deal too. We're expecting support from our fans just like they will have to deal with our fans. It's a loyalty thing.

GABRIEL MORENO: Like Lourdes mentioned -- and he's pointing to the fact that we feel pretty good support from the fan base on the last series. We're expecting the same support. I mean, the fans believe in us, so we're pretty confident that they will be on our side.

Q. Do you guys just try and treat these next few games like another game? Is it a mistake to treat them with too much urgency? That that could have the opposite effect of what you would want?

GABRIEL MORENO: I mean, first of all, I just trust in my team. They're a professional team like we are too. We just have to stay within our plan and trust in our guys regardless who we're facing.

LOURDES GURRIEL, JR.: At this point the four best teams are the ones standing. Anything could happen in one of these games, and we're just going to execute their plan.