WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC VS ISRAEL

March 9, 2026

Brayan Bello

LoanDepot Park

Team Dominican Republic

Postgame Press Conference

Dominican Republic 10, Israel 1

BRAYAN BELLO: We were on the same page. I liked his pitching, and we had a great matchup.

Q. I think if the Dominican Republic advances to the next rounds you could pitch in the semifinals or facing United States or Japan, but it's going to be with a higher level rival. How are you going to prepare from now on, knowing that you are going to face those guys?

BRAYAN BELLO: The mindset is the same. I try to compete pitch after pitch to attack the strike zone, to trust the defense and the offense we have and to trust my own pitching. They are very good, but I consider myself a very good pitcher, as well.

Q. Albert Pujols said that you were great. He wanted you to pitch four innings and you gave him five. Talk to me about your repertoire on the mound and give us a summary on your performance today. I felt very comfortable with all the pitches. I am happy with the repertoire that I used today. The sinker was good. I couldn't even myself believe that I was making out with the sinker. He asked me if I could pitch another inning, and I said yes, that I could pitch the fifth. I did that, and I did a good job in the fifth inning.

Q. Brian, you are from different communities in the DR. How do you get along with Ramírez as you showed today in the game?

BRAYAN BELLO: Well, we were talking since the Dominican Republic what to do with each hitter. We communicated, and the same before the game how to attack each hitter. They told us the information. We have good chemistry, and that's why we had this performance today.

We took advantage of my pitching, and it worked out very well.

Q. Tell me the impact that your conversations with Pedro Martinez has had. I saw you talking with him in the DR during the exhibition games. What have you learned from him, from Pedro Martinez, something that is key in your opinion?

BRAYAN BELLO: Every time that I am around Pedro, I learn new things, and he always says, you've got to be aggressive on the mound, and I try to do that on the field. He has a great influence on me, and I have to be grateful with him because he helps me a lot.

Q. Your two first performances in Spring Training were not very good in the DR, but now you have had the best performance in the preseason. This is the Classic, but you are still in Spring Training. How confident are you now?

BRAYAN BELLO: Well, I was working on something in Spring Training. It was not that important to me. Right now I'm ready. I just want to go out and compete. I am feeling very well, thank God. And I'm going to be better and better every day. Thank you.