Astros' Baker: Clash vs. Dodgers 'a game I would've enjoyed playing in'

Dusty Baker's playing days are far behind him, but the Houston Astros manager wishes he could have suited up for Tuesday night's contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"That was a playoff atmosphere," Baker said postgame, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "These fans are in love with the Dodgers. I was here, and they indeed bleed Dodger Blue.

"Boy, it was exciting. It's not often that I would love to play in a game because I'm so far removed from playing, but this is a game I would've enjoyed playing in."

The Astros managed to come away with a 3-0 road victory despite facing a hostile crowd. It was the first time Houston took on Los Angeles with fans in the stands at Dodger Stadium since news broke two years ago about the Astros' sign-stealing scheme during the 2017 season.

The Astros defeated the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series, and the L.A. crowd made sure to let the opposing team know their dissatisfaction Tuesday by throwing inflatable trash cans and booing heavily.

Baker, hired by the Astros in 2020, spent eight years with the Dodgers during his playing career and congratulated his squad after a hard-fought win.

"Every win is satisfying. This is a tough place to come here and win," Baker said, per Fox 26's Mark Berman.

Houston reliever Ryne Stanek earned the save Tuesday and described the experience as "wild."

"It was maybe the sixth or seventh inning, things got a little bit hectic in the bullpen," Stanek said, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "People started throwing stuff at Astros fans and stuff, and for a few minutes, you basically sat there and watched people throw full beers at people for half an inning. … It was kind of a bonkers atmosphere to play, for sure."