Blue Jays - 10, Yankees - 1
Q. When we spoke to John Schneider a few minutes ago, he said something about you felt different going into this game. Did you feel any different than past years?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Not different, just talked to myself like, you know what, I'm just going to be myself. I'm just going to go out there, give all I have, and just enjoy the game.
Q. You've been to the playoffs with a couple different versions of this team three times before. What is it about this version, this group that was able to get a playoff win?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: I would say the difference is this time around, like everybody's ready. Everybody's ready for the game. It doesn't matter if you're starting the game, if you're coming off the bench, everybody to know what they have to do, and then whenever they get the chance, they come up ready and do the job.
Q. Obviously you did your thing at bat, the home run and the sacrifice fly, but you also contributed defensively with a good play in the first inning. How happy are you to contribute that way too?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: For me, if I'm not hitting, I've got to play defense. I've got to take care of my pitcher. I'm trying to play the best defense I can for our pitcher to throw the least pitches that I can. I just go out there, play hard, play hard defense, and do my job.
Q. I wanted to ask you obviously winning a playoff game was almost everything today, but based on your past comments and your history of really doing great against the Yankees, is there a little extra boost to do it against the Yankees or not at all?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Like I said yesterday, and I'll say it again, for me I bring the same energy every game regardless who I'm playing, especially now in the playoffs. That's all I've got on my mind is to go out there and play hard.
Q. How important is it for you to have Andrés Giménez and Santander hitting pretty much 7 and 8 and getting the great at-bats that they had today for the rest of you guys?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: I mean, when you're around guys like Anthony and Andrés Giménez, regardless if they go 4 for 4, 0 for 4, they always bring in the positive energy. When you surround yourself with guys like that, you're in good hands. You know something good is going to happen.
Q. Another thing John Schneider said today is you're kind of right where you need to be, and he pointed to the days that you had between your last game of the regular season and this series. What was it about those five days off and the work you did then that allowed you to get so locked in?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Nothing specifically. I mean, to be honest with you, obviously you work on your defense, you work on your offense, but more than that, it was more physically. I make sure that I rest my body, that I take care of my body. But the other things, like I say, work on my defense regular, my offense, but it was my body that was more important for me.
Q. When you signed your extension, is nights like this kind of what you dreamed of when you signed that deal?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Like I say, for me my goal always is to win a World Series, to bring the World Series here. My father, he never had the chance to win a World Series. That's one of my goals, always been one of my goals, to do that for me, for him, and I always thank God for that.
Q. You mentioned wanting to get some rest physically. How are you feeling physically, and how are you feeling with your swing after today?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Definitely, I feel good. I feel good right now. Physically I feel great. Those five days, like I mentioned, they were very important for me. Doing all my rehab with the entire training staff here, it was very helpful. Yeah, I feel good overall.
Q. The Gausman strikeout on Judge in the sixth really changed the game. I'm wondering how you saw that sequence play out, and how do you think that helped launch you guys into the seventh inning?
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR.: Just the strikeout on Judge, for me, every pitch that Gausman throws today is very important for him, for me, for the entire team. He's the kind of pitcher that every fifth day he goes out there and gives you all he's got. When you have a guy like that on the mound that brings you a lot of energy, it helps boost the entire team.
So overall for me, Gausman was great tonight.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports