AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES VS RAYS

October 3, 2026

Jonathan Aranda

Tropicana Field

Tampa Bay Rays

Postgame 1 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Jonathan, congratulations. Who has the first question for Jonathan?

Q. Jonathan, you don't have a lot of playoff experience, obviously, what did it mean to you to get that big hit not only for yourself but for your team in your first game like this?

JONATHAN ARANDA: Yeah, it's an important hit, right. Today coming into the game, I just took it as a normal day, just a normal everyday game. So obviously, we know the rival we have against the Yankees and the opponent that they are. It's important to get the first game, but we feel really good and I felt really good with that base hit.

Q. (Question in Spanish.)

THE INTERPRETER: The question was, Gerrit Cole had thrown two change-ups up until that point, one of them to Richie Palacios. Was Jonathan waiting for the change-up in that moment?

Jonathan said, no, I was looking for a fastball the entire way. I got it and was able to send it out.

Q. Jonny, you played a lot of games in this building. When that ball left your bat, went over the fence and you heard the roar of the crowd erupt, how would you describe the atmosphere in the Trop tonight, especially after that ball left the yard?

JONATHAN ARANDA: Yeah, after the fact, I could feel the crowd, and obviously their energy and the noise. But in the moment, I just kind of blacked out. I was just kind of blocking everything out when I was rounding the bases. So, yeah, in the moment, I didn't really feel it. Afterwards, definitely, I could hear everyone.

Q. What did you think of Drew today? What made him so good?

JONATHAN ARANDA: Yeah, I mean, if you look it up, the definition of ace in my opinion is Drew Rasmussen. He's done it for us the entire year. He's been so good for us this whole season. It felt good for him and for us to get him to back up here and pitch really well in Game 1. So, yeah, it was a pleasure to see him.

Q. (Question in Spanish.)

THE INTERPRETER: The question overall was kind of towards the situation in the moment, and playing towards potentially hit and run.

Aranda's answer was, look, you just play as it is. Obviously, a lot of credit to Ras because Ras carried us in that moment.

Q. (Question in Spanish.)

THE INTERPRETER: The question was, how does this home run, how does this win push you towards the rest of the series?

Also, you know, what does this mean to the Mexican fan base watching around the world, watching Aranda in the postseason?

Jonathan says, it's very important to win the first game. It's important to start a postseason series with a win. Hopefully, this carries on to the next and he'll take things day by day. It feels great to hear and watch the Mexican fans cheer us on and support me.

Q. Can you take us through the swing of emotions when that ball gets down the right field line for the first hit, but then you see Mesa to Walls to Cammy to get the relay?

JONATHAN ARANDA: To be quite honest, I was a little surprised that Austin went to third base. I kind of got distracted a little bit. I wasn't paying attention in the second he was. When I looked, we were able to get him out. It was a matter of the moment. But really happy we were able to get the out.

Q. You had a serious wrist injury at Yankee Stadium, and now you've made up for lost time. Do you feel like you've made up for lost time?

JONATHAN ARANDA: Yeah, it was an unfortunate injury. Last year, it ended my season and it was disappointing. Now I've had a healthy full year, and I've been really happy with my contributions towards the team. I just feel really good moving forward with what I've been able to do and take advantage and, honestly, my discipline and work ethic has pushed me to this point so it's good. It's a good full circle moment a year later.

Q. (Question in Spanish.)

THE INTERPRETER: The question was, you know, just to describe the emotions during and after the home run.

Jonathan says, yeah, I wasn't necessarily looking for the home run in that moment. I was looking to get the ball in play, get solid contact. When I saw it go out, it felt really good. In these type of high stakes moments, I'm always thinking of my daughter, thinking of my wife. Just really happy to get the result and help the team get the win.

Q. Jonathan, how great does this feel to not only get your first postseason home run, first postseason win, and then you get to see the reaction from everyone? Like, was this your greatest night as a baseball player?

JONATHAN ARANDA: It's definitely an important moment. I'm not going to say it's the biggest moment or the most important of my career because I've had a few other ones that go up there. Yeah, for sure, it was a great moment for me in my career and I'll definitely put it up there as one of the contending best moments of my career.

THE MODERATOR: Jonathan, congratulations. Thank you for your time.