Padres 3, Cubs 0
Q. Manny, as you were headed to the plate, did you expect that you would be hitting or walking to first base?
MANNY MACHADO: Hitting for sure.
Q. I know you said you don't look for anything, but what did you look for and what did you see?
MANNY MACHADO: I mean, I saw a split. He threw it to me and Tati earlier in the game. It was pretty good, so just trying to get something -- he throws that fastball up in the zone and changeup off of it. You really can't sit on anything, but just try to get something on the dish.
Q. What did you make of today's game? It was kind of a typical Padres game. You guys manufactured a run, got maybe one shot and then you're back into your bullpen.
MANNY MACHADO: For sure. Score early. We had opportunities, capitalizing in that first inning. I struck out, Jackson got the guy over and we got one in.
But yeah, we had opportunities today. We capitalized on them, and we've got to tip our cap to Dylan. He went out there and did a tremendous job, got us four, and Morejon came in and did three, Mason after that, Suarez. What our bullpen did today was outstanding. We were able to give them the runs early on in the game to be able to do it.
Q. How would you describe the demeanor of your team today? You guys seemed really energized, especially after your home run, after Fernando's catch in right field.
MANNY MACHADO: Yeah, that's what postseason is about, man. It's a beautiful thing to be playing here in front of these crowds and with what's at stake.
Our boys went out there and competed as well as we can, and leaving it all out on the field. Obviously we have a high energy team with Jackson, Tati and myself, Arráez, but whenever our pitching staff goes out there and does what he did today, Dylan, I think he set the tone for everyone.
Q. Given that you are who you are, why did you expect you would not be walked?
MANNY MACHADO: I mean, I don't put a manager's cap on. I'm 0 for 6 at that point. So yeah, I'm not thinking about that. For myself, I was just thinking about trying to get to Imanaga.
Q. I know the moment stands on its own, but it has been a little bit of a scuffle for you. Did you feel toward the end of the season the swing was coming around and you were on the verge?
MANNY MACHADO: Yeah, myself, I hit the ball hard yesterday. It was just outs. Sometimes that happens. Both sides of the team yesterday, we hit balls hard and they just -- other than the two home runs that went out, both teams hit the ball hard, just right at people. It is good defense. You've got two good defensive teams, two staffs that are throwing well. Sometimes you've got to hit it soft and not hit it as hard to get stuff going.
But yeah, I mean, swing is there. Just got to continue doing it and continue grinding. Having good at-bats I think at the end of the day, don't worry about your swing, it's just more about having good at-bats.
Q. You mentioned Shota's pitch mix, how he likes to attack the zone. He's also given up a lot of home runs this year. How can that kind of knowledge help you when you are stepping into the box knowing especially a starter when they can be home run prone?
MANNY MACHADO: I mean, that knowledge is great, but that knowledge is not great against me. He kind of owns me a little bit. You look at the numbers, I don't do too well. I've got one hit, now two. Obviously they've been homers, but other than that, it's been a strikeout, so it's either a strikeout or a homer.
But he threw the ball well. He mixed it in. He got our lefty lanes out. We missed a couple pitches up in the zone. He's got good stuff. You always got to respect that. He threw the ball well. Even the at-bat before, he threw me a really good changeup down and away. I think he was probably trying to do the same thing, and he just missed it a little bit.
Q. They went with an opener to try and limit his exposure to you and Tatís there. Obviously a very sweet moment to hit a home run in that spot. Is there any extra sweetness, vindication, knowing that they were trying to limit how many times he got a look at you guys and that both of you were able to produce in that inning?
MANNY MACHADO: Yeah, for sure, it's huge. But I'm just happy we won. I knew it was going to be a grind, and it wasn't going to be easy, and it's not going to be easy. Nothing is easy at this point of the season.
Just like I told the boys, man, let's just go out there and continue to grind. It's not easy. To climb these mountains isn't easy. You've got the best of the best playing right now who have all had a hell of a seasons and tremendous years and this is why we're here. Just go out there, compete, enjoy it, and just leave it out on the field.
Q. Your teammates seemed confident in what you guys would be able to do, even after a loss yesterday. Now that you're going to another one of these do-or-die games, what is the confidence like in the room with your group?
MANNY MACHADO: Same mindset, continue to go. There's still a lot at stake just like there was today. Our backs are still up against the wall, so go out there and try and play our best baseball for the next 27 outs. I think ultimately that's what it comes down to, who makes the least mistakes and who can take advantage of the situation. Just go play another 27 hard outs.
Q. Did you hit both knees when you went into the dugout?
MANNY MACHADO: I hit everything today. I hit everything. There's nothing I didn't hit today.
Q. Given the way the pitching -- you guys threw everybody pretty much. What do you expect out of tomorrow's game?
MANNY MACHADO: It's a do or die, same thing as today. All hands are on deck, whoever it is.
We've done it all year. I don't think it's going to be anything different. We've got to win to advance, so...
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