After not taking the mound for nearly a month, Sinaloa’s José Urquidy did so Tuesday for the Houston Astros against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the World Series to make history as the first Mexican-born player to play in three World Series.
Urquidy, who last pitched Oct. 3 against the same Phillies in Houston in the final series of a regular-season role, came on in the sixth inning after being “forgotten” in the bullpen by AL manager Dusty Baker. Series and Championship Series.
I feel great, I am proud of everything that is happening in my career, said Urquidy. “I hope there are more Mexicans who can perform at the World Cup.”
Mazatlan Urquidy, 27, broke the tie for most Fall Classics played by Mexicans with Culiacán native Julio Urías, who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 and 2020.
Right-hander Urquidy now has World Series appearances in 2019, 2021 and 2022, in which he has a perfect 3-0 record.
Urquidy is the third Mexican player to play in five World Series games, following New York Yankees outfielder Karim Garcia in 2003 and pitcher Urías with three in 2018 and two in 2020.
Then they continue with four Beto Ávila with the then Cleveland Indians in 1954, Aurelio Rodríguez with the Yankees in 1981, Erubiel Durazo with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, Fernando Salas with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 and Víctor González with the Dodgers in 2020.
WITH THE WORK STILL
Urquidy, who gave up home runs to Kyle Schwarber and Bryson Stott on Oct. 3, started badly fielding the unstoppable Nick Castellanos and walking Alec Bohm, but struck out Stott, and after making a wild pitch, dominated Jean Segura flew out to shortstop and Brandon Marsh flew out to left field.
“It wasn’t that hard,” Urquidy said, referring to his first start in nearly a month. “I got my bullpens off and some fake plays on these days off. So I felt really good. It just showed that my body feels really good. I always try to stay in shape.” He then retired the seventh and eighth innings to strike out three more, to finish his job with three innings of one hit, one walk, four strikeouts — including Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper — and zero runs, with a wild the field.
“I felt great,” he repeated. “I had a lot of time to rest and obviously my body will feel very good, fresh. Thank God I had no complications.”
With his no-run work, he lowered his ERA to 1.23 in five World Series games — two as a starter, three in relief — in which he pitched 14.2 innings for 11 hits, two runs — both earned – -, the only passport and 15 “chocolate bars”.
Astros manager Dusty Baker noted Urquidy’s work on the mound to cool down hitters, especially after so many layoffs.
“It was great,” Baker admitted. “He started out a little rough and then settled down. He was very good. It took a while, but he was throwing all the time. He was throwing simulated games, he was throwing bullpen and he was ready.”
“That’s what we needed,” added the manager. “He helped me not have to finish my bullpen and get them ready for the next few days.”