Urquidy makes history by playing 3rd World Series

After almost a month without going up to the mound, the Sinaloan Jose Urquidy he did it on Tuesday for the Houston Astros against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the World Series, to make history as the first player born in Mexico to play in three World Series.

Urquidy, who had pitched for the last time in relief on October 3 against the same Phillies in Houston in the last series of the regular role, entered relief in the sixth inning, after being “forgotten” in the bullpen by manager Dusty Baker in the American League Division Series and Championship Series.

“I feel great, proud of everything that is happening in my career,” Urquidy said. “I hope there are more Mexicans who can pitch in the World Series.”

Mazatlan Urquidy, 27 years old, broke the tie for the most Fall Classics played by Mexicans with the one born in Culiacán, Julius Uriahwho played in 2018 and 2020 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The right-hander Urquidy now has participation in the World Series in 2019, 2021 and 2022, in which he has a perfect record of 3-0.

Urquidy is the third Mexican player to play five World Series games, after outfielder Karim García with the New York Yankees 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 Victor Gonzalez with the Dodgers in 2020.

WITH WORK INTACT

Urquidy, who on October 3 gave up home runs to Kyle Schwarber Y Bryson Stottstarted his relief badly by receiving unstoppable Nick Castellanos and give passport to alec bohmbut he struck out Stott, and after committing a wild pitch, he dominated Jean Segura with elevated to short stop already Brandon Marsh with raised to the left meadow.

“It wasn’t that hard,” Urquidy said, referring to his first start in nearly a month. “I’ve been throwing out my bullpens and some dummy games on these days off. So I’ve been feeling really good. It just showed that my body feels really good. I try to always stay in shape.” Then he retired in order the seventh and eighth innings getting three more strikeouts, to finish his job with three innings of one hit, one walk, four strikeouts — including Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins Y Bryce Harper–, and zero runs, aside from the wild pitch.

“I felt great,” he reiterated. “I had a lot of rest time and obviously my body was going to feel very good, fresh. Thank God I had no complications.”

With his work without allowing a run, he lowered his ERA to 1.23 in five World Series games –two as a starter, three as relief–, in which he has pitched 14.2 innings for 11 hits, two runs –both earned–, a only passport and 15 “chocolates”.

Astros manager Dusty Baker noted Urquidy’s work on the mound to cool down hitters, especially after so much downtime in the game.

“It was great,” Baker acknowledged. “He started out a little rough and then settled down. He was very good. It had been a while, but he’s been throwing all the time. He’s pitched simulated games, he’s thrown the bullpen and he’s been 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 couple of days.”