WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL A - PUERTO RICO VS COLOMBIA

March 6, 2026

Jose Mosquera

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

Team Colombia

Postgame Press Conference

Puerto Rico - 5, Colombia - 0

Q. Why did you take José Quintana out at that point of the game?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: We had to follow the protocol. He had not gone more than two innings in a year, so we did not want to put him in a situation that he was not in his preparation. We know that he signed late. So at this point he's pitching as much as he can.

He wanted to continue. Obviously we were not going to put him in that position of more than three innings. We had to follow the Rockies' protocol.

Q. That fifth inning was decisive. Talk to us a little bit about what adjustments do you think Puerto Rico made in that particular inning that ended up being the one that ended up making them win the game?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: It was a difficult play for Gio. It was a complicated ball. After that, they took advantage of any kind of mistake, any kind of error, and I think that's what happened. On a count of two strikes and a ball, maybe the younger guy we have in the bullpen imploded a bit and they took advantage of him with men on base.

As you say, it's a complicated inning, and you know the power that Puerto Rico has in the bullpen, and you know how complicated it was to score. We didn't take advantage of some situations that we had early in the game with an out, and with teams like that, you have to try to win early to get a chance to win.

Q. I believe that the fifth inning defines a lot. Speaking to Urshela after that error, as a man of experience, what do you say about that situation because that marks the game? The timely batting is missing. How can that change?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: With batting, we need to adjust it. Obviously we made some changes at the end of the game to see the shape the guys are in.

With Gio, nothing. Gio is a player who's almost a Gold Glove, and nothing to judge him. Had he not done that, maybe the score wouldn't have been 5-0, could have been 3-0. But the most important thing is we need to highlight and take advantage of the opportunities we have with men on base to have a chance to win.

Q. I want to ask you if you're worried about the bullpen? Since we heard that Colombia's bullpen was not at the height. We expected a little bit more.

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: Really? I think, if you look at the game, we had threw zeroes except for one inning. I fully trust the guys we have in our bullpen. We still have important names like Romero, Zuniga and Gomez that didn't come into play.

There's nothing to blame the bullpen. Like I said, Puerto Rico took advantage of it, and we were able to do a whole -- we had a situation in the second and third, and we brought in our bullpen. We had four bad ones, and then we had a difficult situation with the bases loaded without errors, and we only got two outs. I think it's something we need to continue to trust in the guys.

Q. Colombia had a few runners in scoring position, but the crowd is also really energetic after having 13 years without having a game at home. That could have influenced the guys in the batter's box.

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: Obviously the crowd are like an extra player. I believe that the guys are used to this kind of scenario and know that against Puerto Rico the crowd was going to be fundamental. The last part of the game they were very involved, especially after that inning. Knowing the bullpen that Puerto Rico has, it was going to be a bit more complicated.

But it's simply just turn the page and focus on tomorrow's game, and we'll continue playing in this tournament.

Q. What do you think is needed for the team to be more effective in key moments?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: Again, taking advantage of the opportunities that we can. We had early in the game some situations that we weren't able to execute, and I believe that that will be key for us to try to shuffle the guys maybe in different spots of the lineup, to try to search for those good at-bats that they get.

But one game doesn't define what the team is. We'll have a new mentality tomorrow, and I'm sure the guys will be able to turn the page and play in the next games.

Q. This is a ballgame you win, you lose. You lost today. You have to think about tomorrow's game, as you said. That decision to not bring in Patiño in that spot, is that because of Julio's request or what happened prior to the Classic?

JOSÉ MOSQUERA: Without a doubt, Julio and José are the best two players we have. The first two games are key, and I believe it's quite a lefty-heavy lineup, and we've been able to control it. We had decisions in the beginning. He was going to go with Cuba, but I believe in this position he's the right man to open tomorrow, and we feel very comfortable on the mound.