Post-Game Q&A with Jeff Marquez

Jeff Marquez started the season going 0-3 in his first three starts before pitching a gem Monday night for his first victory of the season. PinstripesPlus caught up with Marquez after the game for a short Q&A session to talk about his first win, his struggles this season, and a whole lot more. (Free Preview of Premium Content)

PinstripesPlus.com: Talk about the start tonight, getting your first win.

Jeff Marquez: I felt good. In the beginning I felt good. There was a change in the atmosphere. I usually don't like throwing in the cold but I just buckled down and I didn't worry about my three losses. I just came out and knew I was going to win. I just trusted my stuff a lot more and stayed back. I had good mechanics and good stuff. It just felt real good tonight. I felt good in my first three starts but I was getting behind in the counts. I'm not sure if I got behind in the count in the first four innings today. I was ahead of the hitters. I could play with my curveball and my changeup. My fastball was real good today and I just trusted my stuff.

PinstripesPlus: You seemed to lose control later in the game and struggled to throw strikes. What was the reason for that?

Marquez: I was still trusting my stuff. The only thing I was doing was drifting a little bit and was throwing across my body which I noticed towards the end of the inning and I fixed it in the later innings. I ended up getting back in the groove. From here I just want to continue doing better. (laughing) Maybe going nine [innings] in the next game. Who knows?

PinstripesPlus: How did it feel getting that monkey off your back, picking up the first win?

Marqez: Oh man, it felt great. To finally get a win, it felt awesome. I told myself before the game that I was going to trust myself and have confidence out there. That's pretty much what I did and it made me successful today.

PinstripesPlus: What did you think of Tim Battle's amazing play in the outfield when he snagged that ball hit over his head right next to the center field wall?

Marquez: Man that play was amazing. I knew the ball was going to go to the outfield. I had the batter 2-0 and I threw a fastball right down the plate. When I saw the ball being hit I thought it was gone for sure and Tim just made an amazing play. I was all mad at first, saying please, please stay in the ball park. Once he caught it I was just happy.

PinstripesPlus: Okay, it is early in the season, but who have you been impressed with the most?

Marquez: (Without hesitation) Brett Smith! Brett has started off real good and he was pretty much on in all three starts. He kept his command and has pitched with great control. Phil Hughes too actually. He's doing pretty good too.

PinstripesPlus: What about this team? What has impressed you the most about this team?

Marquez: I like the fans. The fans are pretty cool. Really though, we have real good defense. I mean, we've struggled a little bit but we've got good pitching. We're young but we're also real good. We're going to be a team to beat in the first and second half I believe. We're capable of doing so much more. I mean, there is times when our pitching is there and our hitting is not there and we still win. And there's time when our hitting is there and our pitching is not and we still win. Once they both click, man, it is going to be 15-0 shutouts. We've got good pitching, good hitting, good coaching, and good defense. I am just happy to be here.

PinstripesPlus: Final question. For the record Jeff, am I officially your good luck charm?

Marquez: (laughing) Definitely...most definitely.

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