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Can Ryu Save the Dodgers?

October 13, 2013

Dodgers’ Hyun-Jin Ryu Vows to Rise to Occasion in Game 3 of NLCS

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, of South Korea, throws the ball during practice in preparation for Monday’s Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)

By Lee Kyutae

Hyun-Jin Ryu, who will start Game 3 of the National League Championship Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday at Dodger Stadium, vowed not to give up any runs early.

The following is a translation of Sunday’s press conference transcript.

-How do you feel with such a big game ahead. Nervous?

▲There’s always added pressure when you come back home down 0-2, but we are back at home, in front of our fans. Now, we have to win four out of five. I’ll be all out to win.

-You pitched well against the Cardinals in a regular season match. It’s a pressure situation, but that experience must give you some confidence going in.

▲My confidence level is the same whether I’ve fared well against them before or not, and also there’s a big difference between regular season and postseason games. I don’t think you can be overly confident either. A little bit of nervousness might actually be good.

-How will you benefit from your NLDS struggles?

▲I am aware that I’ve allowed runs early in games. Even during the regular season. So, I will be out to correct that problem tomorrow. Even if I end up giving up runs, I’ll do my best to minimize the damage, and my initial goal is to not give up any runs in the first three innings.

-You have a tough opponent in Adam Wainwright. He is one of the best postseason pitchers.

▲I am not competing against him, but their hitters. No matter who the opposing pitcher is, all I can do is to do my job. I am not concerned with who they put on the mound.

-How is the American postseason different than the Korean Series?

▲The postseason is postseason. You can’t expect to win every game during the regular season but in the playoffs, your mind set is to win every time out.

-You admitted to being nervous during your NLDS start. How will you cope better this time around?

▲It’s actually good to be a little bit nervous. You just can’t be too nervous, or too relaxed. I’ll try to work a little bit of nervous energy to my advantage.

-You only lasted 3 innings last time out. Does that make you want to go longer this time out?

▲I don’t think it’s most important for starting pitchers to eat up innings in the postseason. I’ll be all out from the very beginning, and I think it’ll be okay if I throw five shutout innings. I won’t be saving anything for the later innings tomorrow.

-Your team is not hitting. Are you worried about a lack of run support?

▲Not at all. I know they are trying their hardest, and you can’t panic over what happened in just two games. They can explode any minute. That’s how baseball is.

-It’s been a long season. Are you physically holding up okay?

▲I don’t think I threw too many pitches up to this point. I actually feel better than I did back in May and June. I don’t feel tired.

-Are you willing to pitch in relief if the need arises?

▲The coaches have yet to mention the possibility, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to win.