Angels Win Game And Series With 4-1 Win on Latest Shohei Day

Sho Q&A:

Q: You did not look happy with your pitching when you finished the 6th inning.

A: I was not satisfied at all of my pitching throughout the game.

Q: It looked like you were slipping on the mound in the 6th.

A: Nevin wanted to check how I was doing. That worked as a breather for me.

Q: Your teammates helped you with their bats, and your team won the series.

A: After I got IBB’d, there was pressure on my teammates who followed me. Felt really good that they were able to come through with important runs. The fact that we were able to string two wins gave us huge momentum into our away games. We will use this momentum to try to win the next series.

Q: The Giants were one of the teams who were negotiating for your service in 2017. Did you have any special feelings about them? Were there any Giant player who personally recruited you?

A: That is something which has occurred in the past, and I do not discuss that. I would rather focus on what is in front of us from Friday.

Q: It is MLB historical first for a player to have 10 wins and hit 40 homeruns in the same season.

A: As far as wins as pitcher are concerned, I would not have accomplished them without my teammates contributions. I will continue to do my best to accumulate on those numbers.

Q: How do you feel about the chance of the Angels reaching the playoffs?

A: I am aware it is not that high, but as long as there is a possibility, we will never give up. We will play one game at a time and try to string some wins.

Q: How about off day(s) for you?

A: I think that everyone is at the peak of exhaustion after 17 games in 17 days. I wonder how I will feel after an off day tomorrow. If not playing in a game is necessary, then I consider that as essential part of my job as professional baseball player.

Q: You have attained your 10th win.

A: Somehow I was able to last for 6 innings. I was not happy with the way I pitched today, but I will take it since my team won.

Q: You have won 2 digit times two years in a row.

A: Pitchers often win in games where they pitch poorly but position players help with their bats. So, I don’t think the number of win is a true barometer of how effective a pitcher is. I will continue to search for consistency in pitching.

Q: Was there a problem with PitchCom?

A: No, it was not broken. There are times that I rely on my catcher and other times where I dictate how I pitch. We constantly communicate at a distance of 60 feet and 6 inches.

Q: In the 8th inning with a walk, you tagged with Drury’s fly ball to RF and advanced to 2nd base.

A: I always try to advance by reading the distance the ball traveled and how my legs were feeling at the time.

Q: In national summer Koshien tournament, your alma mater, Hanamaki East high school has won the first round match for the first time in 8 years. You are aware that the head coach’s son Rintaro Sasaki is one of the important players of the team.

A: I hope that Rintaro would do his best for Hanamaki East. It is his last year (Rintaro is a senior), and it is an honor to be able to play baseball in Koshien. Not just my alma mater, I also would like to give my kudo to all the players in the tournament.