Dodgers - 3, Braves - 1
Q. Let's talk about that at-bat against Acuña, that pitch selection, the 3-1 count. How did you go about it, and what do you remember of that particular moment of the game?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Because all of my pitches were really good. And in that given situation, because I was confident controlling any pitches, then I selected the split.
Q. Wanted to ask him what do you think about the postseason crowd here at Truist Park?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I think because I felt that was a great atmosphere because they are passionate fans, especially in the fourth inning, when I got in trouble. And then that was the moment I was feeling that.
Q. What makes you nervous, since apparently pitching in a game does not?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: During the preparation and before the game, and then I do get nervous, but at that time, I personally think that's very important.
Q. Anything outside baseball? Spiders, I don't know?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I'm not sure.
Q. You hit a career high in strikeouts tonight in the postseason. You continue to impress. When you reflect, is this where you would expect yourself to be right now? And how do you assess your performance?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I was able to get into the game with a great feel. And then I was feeling, like I said earlier, I was confident and able to control all my pitches today.
Q. Before the game, it looked like you and Chris Sale saw each other and did a hat tip towards each other. I wonder if you could tell us about that moment and sort of what it was like to be in this match-up with him.
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Because the last time, because I faced him, because we lost, as you may remember. And then today I was focusing not, giving up the first run of the game, and I was focusing on that. And that was it.
Q. How much did you tweak or adjust from the blueprint last time you faced them?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: After, because I pitched here, there's enough starts I pitched, and so I'm not sure what particularly I made an adjustment on that. Because during the preparation I started feeling better and better. And I was able to carry that feel into today's game.
Q. What do you think about today you were able to outpitch Chris Sale? And what is on your mind because now the Dodgers are leading 2-1?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: To be honest, I don't feel I outpitched Chris Sale tonight. And just a team (indiscernible) and we need one more win. And as a team we should get together and get one more win.
Q. To navigate this lineup, how much did you care about the pitch count?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I usually care about the pitch count during the regular season. But today, it's the postseason, and one thing I was trying to do was one inning at a time. And then the worst scenario, I can give up a few runs. But just one inning at a time, and that should lead me deeper into the game.
Q. Today you were in trouble in the fifth inning, and if that was -- you got out of the inning -- but if that was like two years ago, probably you might have been pulled in. But today, because you stayed in the game. And then what was the difference, like, probably two years ago, because how do you feel the trust from the team?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I'm very happy that -- because I feel trust compared to like a few years ago. And then I'd like to continue living up to the highest expectation.
Q. I think it's really rare to greet -- I'm talking about the greeting, like a brief greeting before the game. And then how do you feel you get that kind of respect?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I'm very happy because we met during the All-Star Game. It's kind of a common thing for me to do that with a familiar-with player.
Q. When you were in trouble in the fifth inning and Kiké came up to you and talked to you, what was it about?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: That was an encouraging moment and he told me just be yourself, even though that was a little bit like a dirty word.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports