Angels Suffer Brutal Loss 5-3

Sho Q&A:

Q: You have been having cramping in your finger, but you still decided to pitch.

A: By swinging my right arm in the dugout, I felt like I could pitch.

Q: How concerned are you about your finger?

A: It has been cramping frequently, so I went by inning by inning, But it reached a point where I thought by continuing, I would affect the outcome of the game negatively, so I decided to let Phil know.

Q: What about your next outing as pitcher?

A:That is something that the team (Phil Nevin) will decide. I would like to fulfill my responsibility as starting rotation guy. It will probably depend on how the team is doing, and I have no authority to decide when I would pitch next.

Q:Is it the whole finger?

A:It is my middle finger, It is the place where many pitchers have had cramping issues.

Q:It was a tough loss today. How much damage did the team sustain today?

A:I would have liked to have thrown about 100 pitches to lessen pressure on our bullpen, and I feel responsible for not being able to do that. As a result, we lost by allowing the Mariners to come back in the ninth. We just have to turn the page and look forward to tomorrow’s game.

Q:You experienced intense pressure during WBC tournament, but are you feeling the similar pressure in these games?

A:We are still in a position to reach the playoffs, so every game is significantly vital. There is nothing we can do about what happened today. We just have to turn our attention to tomorrow’s game and do our best to win it.

Q:If you have been having cramping issue, did you think about resting?

A:We have discussed off day with the coaches, but our situation is such that all able Angels players need to play. There are no unimportant games where I can take as off day. I would like to be in every game if I can.

Q:What was your mindset when you were at bat before you hit your 40th homerun?

A:Since the game was 2-1 in our favor, I was thinking of insurance run. It did not have to be a homerun. It could have been a single, or even a walk. I just wanted to have good at bat to be a base runner so I can help score additional run.

Q:You weren’t concerned about your right hand?

A:The decision was my right hand would not affect my batting ability. If my right hand were in such a shape to affect our team’s ability to win, I would have taken myself out. We felt that if I continue as DH, the chance of our victory would be higher.

Q:When did you notice the trouble?

A:In the 4th inning during warm up pitches. Before the game in the bullpen, I felt really good. From the start, I felt strong with my fastball. Perhaps, I was pushing myself too hard in the early innings, trying to keep Mariners from scoring every inning. I just did not feel like I could relax because every inning was so important. It was unexpected miscalculation on my part that I should have distributed my efforts more evenly.

Q:What do you think is the cause of cramping?

A:I think it is related to accumulated exhaustion. It probably has something to do with many games in a row and moving a long distance. But, my decision was that I would be able to pitch today, and I feel responsible for not being able to do my usual.

Q:Have you had cramping frequently?

A:My finger and planting foot (right foot) are where I tend to have cramps.

Q:What do you feel about your homerun production this season?

A:Rather than batting for homerun, I would like to continue to focus on consistently having good at bats. I would love to stay with calm approach, be always locked and ready for those pitches in the zone to put strong swing on them.