episode_0423

[Leadoff home run! Player Ji Maeng-ho hits consecutive home runs in two games!]

[Since the second half began, many teams have avoided competing with Ji Maeng-ho, but it seems that the Volcano Falcons are up for the challenge. It’s somewhat expected. In the second half, Ji Maeng-ho has hit 7 home runs in 41 at-bats with a batting average of .341. Considering he can steal third base anytime if you avoid competing with him, giving up at least 2 runs might be the better option.]

[I see.]

[Moreover, the Volcano Falcons could potentially face off against the AT Thunders in the Korean Series. Every point matters in the Korean Series, and looking back at last year’s UG Over Roses, ultimately, they had to compete.]

[Now, the second batter, Kim Su-ho, steps up to the plate.]

In the first inning, the leadoff home run exploded. It was a situation that could shake any pitcher. And Garcia is a power pitcher who handles strikeouts well. Like other foreign players, if a pitcher is good at both strikeouts and control, they wouldn’t come to Korea. A foreign player coming to the KBA League always had some kind of flaw.

“Bases loaded!”

“Nice!”

“Great job, Kim Su-ho!”

Additionally, Kim Su-ho is regarded as one of the best hitters in the league, just like his leadoff homer. He wasn’t a player who made it easy for shaky pitchers.

[Kim Su-ho gets on base. Now, up to bat is Ki Sang-joo. His performance in yesterday’s game wasn’t that great, right?]

[In yesterday’s game, he recorded 0 hits in 3 at-bats with 1 walk. However, we can’t say Ki Sang-joo doesn’t have a weakness against left-handed pitchers, which is why his performance was like that. Garcia needs to be careful.]

And now, Ki Sang-joo is back at the plate.

‘Fuck, Fuck. There’s no breathing room with these hitters.’

Garcia waited for Yi Yong-gi’s sign while cursing at the consistently dangerous batters.

‘Changeup?’

‘No, it’s risky. They might be aiming for the first pitch.’

‘Slider?’

‘All the hitters are sitting on sliders right now. Looks like they came out with a plan.’

‘Then let’s go with the changeup.’

‘Okay.’

The battery’s choice was a changeup. However, behind the catcher’s mask, Yi Yong-gi’s expression wasn’t very positive.

‘Damn, in situations like this, you just have to confidently push through with strength…’

Garcia was pitching too defensively, losing his usual strengths. Yi Yong-gi wanted to assert his thoughts strongly, but like many Hispanic players, Garcia was also sensitive and easily affected by emotions.

Yi Yong-gi reluctantly complied with Garcia’s request to avoid upsetting his mood further, knowing that challenging Garcia’s feelings could disrupt the flow. But…

‘Well, I might end up regretting this…’

Thud – Crack!

Garcia’s changeup was driven deep into center field, and Ki Sang-joo was not the type of player to miss such an easy pitch.

“Thanks, Garcia!”

With a cheerful sound of the hit, Ki Sang-joo opened his mouth. They had been close for about 4-5 years, but even with their friendship, getting angry after giving up a home run was inevitable.

“Ah…. damn….”

Yi Yong-gi muttered curses under his breath and visited the mound.

[Ki Sang-joo’s two-run home run that extends the lead! Without recording a single out, the AT Thunders already put up 3 runs! …It looks like Yi Yong-gi is visiting the mound.]

[We need to calm down the pitcher. Since more dangerous batters will be coming up next, we can’t afford to crumble here.]

[Now, facing a lineup of Williams-Choi Jin-cheol-Woo Kwan-hyung-Yoon Sung-tae, we need to focus even more.]

Williams, who has a batting average of around .300, hitting in the high .200s but recording twenty-seven home runs, ranks third in home runs following Jeong Maeng-ho in first place and Ju Seung-cheol in second. Choi Jin-cheol, who ranks third in home runs, hasn’t hit any since his return from injury but maintains a batting average of .340, sweeping up base runners from the sixth spot. Woo Gwan-hyeong, with a .280 batting average and eleven home runs, showcasing the offensive potential of a utility infielder, and Yoon Seong-tae, also with a .280 average, have been making an impact.

The remaining batters were no pushovers either.

“[Lee Yong-gi is coming off the mound. Has Garcia settled down?]”

“He needs to settle down. Especially in this game where he can aim for first place in front of the home fans. Players like Garcia, who play a pivotal role on the team, shouldn’t falter.”

And so, Lee Yong-gi stepped down from the mound to face Williams at bat.

Crack!

“This hit goes towards center field! Caught! A fantastic diving catch by center fielder Kim Ju-yeop! Kim Ju-yeop assists Garcia.”

As Williams conceded his first out, he returned to the dugout.

“[Hey, Williams!]”

“[Yes, what’s up?!]”

“[You trying to mess with me? Was that intentional?]”

“[No! I’m sorry!]”

“[I’ll be watching.]”

“[Please trust me!]”

“What are Maeng-ho and Williams talking about?”

“I don’t know. But Maeng-ho seems ignorant, yet they say he’s good at English.”

“I’m not ignorant!”

Thus, there was controversy in AT’s dugout regarding Ji Maeng-ho’s English skills, but the game continued.

“Gwan-hyeong’s hit! Once again, Gwan-hyeong ignites the offense! …Yoon Seong-tae’s hit! To left-center! It’s a hit! The runner stops at first base! The runner advances to third! One out, runners on first and third!”

“Oh, it seems like AT’s lineup is on fire from the first inning, looking to avenge yesterday’s loss.”

“Now, stepping up to the plate is the 8th batter, Jung Yoon-cheol.”

AT’s lineup, still boasting the league’s best offense as last year, wasn’t flawless. Players like Jung Yoon-cheol and Kim Hyun-seong, both hitting in the mid-.200s, were providing breathing room with their performances behind the plate.

Crack!

“The shortstop catches it! Double play! Second base! Out! First base! Out! A picture-perfect double play ends the top of the 1st inning for the Falcons, thanks to Garcia!”

Ending the top of the 1st inning with a double play, the atmosphere among AT players was upbeat.

“Garcia doesn’t seem himself today, does he?”

With a 3-run lead after the 1st inning, Jun-hu gained confidence that they could overcome Garcia today.

“Jun-hu! If you perform well, I’ll secure the win for you!”

“No, bro, how do you expect the pitcher to focus if you keep doing that?”

“Jun-hu, ignore that guy. He’s just messing around.”

With a 3-run lead, Jun-hu, supported by solid run production from the start, allowed a run while getting a timely hit from Lee Yong-gi but struck out the next batter to end the bottom of the 1st inning. And into the top of the 2nd inning.

“Baek Jeong-jin walks and gets on base! …Jeong Maeng-ho’s hit! High! Off the wall! Baek Jeong-jin rounds second. A runner in scoring position! …Kim Soo-ho draws a walk. Two consecutive walks. …A blooper drops into the outfield. Two outs. Now up to bat is Williams.”

Thwack!

“Williams’ hit goes to right-center! The runner on second scores! The runner on first also scores! Triple! The baserunner makes it to third in the meantime! Williams’ triple! The score is now 5-1!”

“Williams was shown talking to Maeng-ho in the dugout after getting out. Perhaps receiving some advice.”

Williams added 2 more runs with his 2-run triple. Although no more scores were made afterward, the scent of a tilted game began to waft from the second inning.

By the end of the 5th inning, the score stood at 7:3. Both teams’ starters stepped down after the 5th inning, and the bullpen, considered a weak point, came up, leading to a final score of 13:5.

[Today, the Mega Thunders’ fate will be decided as the series unfolds. Now, the series progresses to its final game.]

-Go Thunders! Defeat the Falcon Volcanoes!

…The game that started with Ji Maeng-ho’s leadoff home run in the 1st inning saw the AT lineup spewing fire, establishing a significant lead early in the game. …With the result of this game, the lead is now 2.5 games, and the starting pitcher matchup for the final showdown is scheduled between Seong-hyun and Crongs, drawing the attention of baseball fans…

┗It’s getting intense lol

┗I hope Volcanoes win to make it even more intense.

┗Seong-hyun fighting!!!

┗ISMHS

Winning the gold medal brought joy to the nation during the LA Olympics. However, not all baseball fans found joy in those Olympics due to the international competition and the pitchers’ poor performance being inseparably linked.

After participating in the international competition, Seong-hyun also experienced the same pitching struggles. Following his return to the Olympics, in his first game, he recorded an uncharacteristic performance of 5 earned runs in 3.1 innings. Consequently, the Falcon Volcanoes coaching staff gave Seong-hyun rest before his condition worsened.

“Hyun-ah, how are you feeling?”

“I’m good. Taking a break has definitely helped me feel better.”

After a week of rest, despite concerns about his age and injury history, Seong-hyun felt his condition was at its peak.

“That’s good to hear. So, how do you plan to face Ji Maeng-ho today?”

“How do I plan to face him? Obviously, to win. Should I avoid Maeng-ho and expect to win?”

“As expected of Seong-hyun. Well, we won yesterday, but you know Maeng-ho hasn’t been performing that well lately, right? Approach the game with confidence.”

In the game that ended 13:5, Ji Maeng-ho’s home run opened opportunities for the AT lineup, but his performance wasn’t exceptional. With a stat line of 4 at-bats, 1 hit, 1 home run, and 1 walk, Ji Maeng-ho, after hitting a home run in his first at-bat, continued swinging for home runs, likely due to the widened score gap.

Given Ji Maeng-ho’s lack of hits over the fence since his first at-bat, it indicated his current condition. Moreover, batters aiming for home runs were Seong-hyun’s prey. Despite not having exceptional movement in the Major Leagues, Seong-hyun’s unique control and battles on the mound against home run hitters were his survival strategy in the Major Leagues.

“Of course. A pitcher can’t perform without confidence, Coach knows that too.”

And so, the final game of the series began. Seong-hyun showcased perfect control from the first pitch, striking out John.

“Strike!”

‘Huh? A strike from the first pitch? Looks like he’s here to win again today. After two consecutive home runs, I didn’t think he’d compete. If this continues…, Ross B! Come down here for a moment!’

Confirming his determination to compete, Ji Maeng-ho called out to Ross B, who was admiring a woman in the stands.