episode_0182

[The pitcher that AT Thunders selected as the starting pitcher for the first game of the Children’s Day Series is Jang Yoon. He can be said to be AT’s native ace, both in name and reality, as he appeared in 5 games in the month of April and achieved 3 wins. Will we be able to give the gift of victory to child fans today?]

[Jang Yoon seems to have completely hit the water when he moved to AT Thunders as a free agent, right? He was a pitcher who hit quite a lot of home runs while using Munhak, but after moving to Jamsil, that anxiety almost disappeared. Now, he can be considered AT’s native ace.]

[That’s right. The help of these starting pitchers was significant in helping the AT Thunders rise from the bottom to the present.]

[you’re right. AT’s upward trend is due in part to a batting lineup that is at the top of the league, but the starting pitchers are also credited with playing their roles well. Jang Yoon, who transferred, and Bellingham, a third-year player, form a solid one-two punch, and Park Jun-hyung is also showing signs of exertion, right? In addition, the starting lineup appears to be quite stable, with even 5th starter Kim Chan-young showing decent performance. Although Jansen is showing signs of instability, his starting mound has become solid as he showed signs of revival by throwing 5 scoreless innings in his first game against NV after returning to the second team.]

[The problem is that the bullpen is still unstable… .]

[you’re right. Even closing pitcher Park Jin-hyuk looks a little anxious, making the back door uneasy. That’s why Jang Yoon needs to extend the innings as much as possible today.]

Even though it was his first year, there were many reasons why Jang Yoon was selected as the starting pitcher for Children’s Day, beating out mercenary pitchers.

And the biggest reason is the aggressive pitching tempo.

When he used Munhak, a small stadium, as his home, Jang Yoon focused on corner work as much as possible to avoid hitting home runs, but when he moved to Jamsil this season, Jang Yoon succeeded in completely changing his pitching style. Jang Yoon’s pitching tempo, where he threw aggressive balls with the wide Jamsil behind him, was excellent at increasing the concentration of the fielders.

“now! “Let’s go today as usual!”

Veteran catcher Jeong Yun-cheol shouted to the ground in his usual loud voice before the opponent’s attack began. At that voice, AT’s infielders all turn into eyes of concentration. In the top of the first inning, Ji Maeng-ho’s home run gave them 2 runs, but the players’ eyes were sparkling due to the importance of this being a Children’s Day game.

Hancheol’s leading batter is Kim Dong-jin. He was a quick-footed outfielder who won the Rookie of the Year and the Steals of the Year honors last year. If Kim Dong-jin was allowed to get on base, Hancheol’s batting line would have to deal with the national team’s batting line consisting of Kim Jeong-hyun, Joo Seung-cheol, and Lee Yong-gi, as well as the 5th hitter, the mercenary hitter Esteban, so from AT’s perspective, they had to prevent Kim Dong-jin from getting on base at all costs.

‘The first pitch is an outside fastball.’

‘okay.’

AT’s battery took a breather after exchanging signs. And Jang Yoon’s first pitch was thrown.

“Strike!”

Jang Yoon’s first pitch hit the outside border line accurately, signaling a good start.

“The ball is good!”

First pitch strike. Jang Yoon’s mouth moved slightly at the pleasant start.

[As expected, it goes in boldly from the first pitch.]

[Normally, there are many players who do not display their skills in such big games, but Jang Yoon is a veteran pitcher who won two championships during his time at UG, so he does not seem to be nervous at all.]

Jang Yoon, who got off to such a good start, used aggressive and fast pitching to out Kim Dong-jin with three balls.

“Nice, good start!”

Jang Yoon’s expression brightened slightly as he easily blocked Kim Dong-jin, but Hancheol Grizzlies’ batting lineup was just beginning.

[Now, Kim Jeong-hyeon comes to bat. The season batting average is 0.364. He has five home runs there.]

[Kim Jeong-hyun is a player with a wide defensive range, strong arms, base running ability to record 20 stolen bases, and the power to hit 20 home runs in Jamsil, right? I also signed up for 20-20 once. Although he is a player with so many tools, his most appreciated ability is his precise hitting ability. Since playing full-time, he has always been in the top 10 in batting.]

After Joo Seung-cheol’s debut, there was a feeling that he was slightly buried by Joo Seung-cheol, but until Joo Seung-cheol debuted, the person who represented Hancheol was Kim Jeong-hyun.

[The first pitch is foul!]

[The second ball is also kicked out.]

[This ball goes far! Outside the line. Kim Jeong-hyun produces sharp foul balls!]

[Kim Jeong-hyun’s batting skills are quite good, right? He’s clearing away all of Jang Yoon’s balls. The foul ball is getting closer and closer to the ground, right? Jang Yoon must be careful.]

‘As expected, the game is won quickly according to the analysis. Actually, I guess I don’t want to be seen getting spanked on Children’s Day.’

Pitching at a fast tempo had the advantage of increasing the concentration of fielders, but it also had the disadvantage of making it easy for opposing batters to aim for one hit. And Hancheol’s players were not ones who could overlook such shortcomings.

Ta – evil!

[Kim Jeong-hyun’s hit falls behind right field. Woo Gwan-hyung, I apologize quickly! Second baseman Ji Maeng-ho catches it! Throw to second base Ji Maeng-ho! Kim Jeong-hyun stops at first base.]

‘Fuck, why is the second baseman out there?’

Kim Jeong-hyeon had no choice but to hastily return to first base upon seeing Ji Maeng-ho go out to the outfield and make a broadcast play. AT’s defensive strategy of playing relay from as far away as possible to cover the weakness of right fielder Woo Gwan-hyeong, who has a weak shoulder, was already famous among the club, so Kim Jung-hyun did not overdo it.

At the beginning of the season, there were many players who were thrown out at second base due to a throw like that, so it was an obvious choice, but Kim Jung-hyun did not regret it at all. That’s because the next player to bat was Joo Seung-cheol.

‘Seungcheol, I believe.’

Joo Seung-cheol, the son of Korean baseball hero Joo Hyeong-jin, and a reliable junior who has recorded a record of 30-30 for two consecutive years since his debut season. After returning from injury, he recorded a batting average close to .500 for a week, signaling his perfect return.

[Jamsil is excited when Joo Seung-cheol comes to bat.]

[Joo Seung-cheol has only been in his third year since his debut, but he is a star player representing the KBA in name and reality, right? Reached the 30-30 club for two consecutive years and received the Golden Glove Award. He is a player who can turn the tide of the game at any time.]

[What kind of performance will Joo Seung-cheol show in his first Jamsil series after returning from injury? . Ugh! Hit from the first pitch! This batted ball! Behind center field!]

And Joo Seung-cheol, living up to his reputation, lifted Jang Yoon’s first pitch without delay. A batted ball that is well over the height of center fielder Kim Joo-yeop. Joo Seung-cheol’s batted ball hits the fence and bounces out.

[ah! Kim Joo-yeop! He fumbles the ball. Kim Jeong-hyun, who was a runner on first base, went all the way home! Coming home! Hancheol Grizzlies make up for one point! The solution was Joo Seung-cheol!]

Due to Kim Joo-yeop’s fumble, Kim Jeong-hyun, who was a runner on first base, easily came home. This time, Ji Maeng-ho, who ran close to the outfield using his quick feet, made a lightning throw to third base to block the third base hit, but Hancheol’s fans were already singing Joo Seung-cheol’s song at the top of his lungs at the timely hit of the chase.

“Hey, isn’t it difficult to go there and back?”

“It’s difficult.”

When Ji Maeng-ho returned to second base, Joo Seung-cheol, who had a flushed expression after hitting a timely hit, spoke to Ji Maeng-ho.

“Relax your expression, brat. “If anyone sees it, they’ll think we’re losing.”

Joo Seung-cheol’s provocation. Although they were only one point behind, their words contained confidence that they could turn the tables at any time.

“What are you talking about? “I won?”

And Ji Maeng-ho responded to such provocation with a rather lucky smile.

“huh?”

“My brother hit a double, and I hit a home run. “Of course I won, right?”

It was Joo Seung-cheol who provoked first to discourage Ji Maeng-ho, the core of the AT batting lineup, but it was Joo Seung-cheol who was scratched by Ji Maeng-ho’s factual attack.

“Okay, let’s go to the end today.”

Ji Maeng-ho and Joo Seung-cheol’s eyes collided in the air, but the war of nerves between the two players who created the RBI did not last long.

The player who ended the war of nerves was Hancheol’s fourth hitter, Lee Yong-gi. Lee Yong-gi also took aim at Jang Yoon’s aggressive tendencies and displayed technical striking from the first pitch.

Sigh!

[Lee Yong-gi’s 1 RBI hit at the right time! Send the batted ball past right field with a technical push! Runner on second base, Joo Seung-cheol, home! Home! Coming in! Lee Yong-gi orders to stop at first base!]

[It was a hit, but AT made the best decision. Home decided that it was already too late and did not throw, preventing the batter and runner from advancing to scoring position.]

[Now the score is 2:2! tie! Both teams show performances appropriate for the Children’s Day Series! The game is at the starting point!]

The first inning ended for both teams with the score balanced at 2:2, and the game became even more intense.

[Ji Maeng-ho’s 1 RBI hit at the right time! We are bringing home Kim Joo-yeop, who was a runner on second base! The score is now 3:2! AT Thunders take the lead again in the top of the 3rd inning!]

[Joo Seung-cheol fights back again! Joo Seung-cheol’s solo home run in the bottom of the third inning! Now the score is tied 3-3 again! Hancheol Grizzlies do not allow AT to lead even once!]

It’s a fierce situation like a Children’s Day game, with AT leading and Hancheol catching up. And at the center were Ji Maeng-ho and Joo Seung-cheol, the hottest hitters of both teams.

The thin ice-like tie situation was maintained through the two players’ performances, and it was the fundamentals that ultimately broke the tension.

[ah! This hit cannot be a double play!]

[Yoon Seong-tae’s throw was slightly off, right? Since the batter and runner was Kim Dong-jin, last year’s stolen base king, the infielders were anxious. Second baseman Ji Maeng-ho threw a strong throw in a hurry, but it went over the top and failed to put the batter runner out. Fortunately, veteran first baseman Choi Jin-cheol caught the throw and a catastrophe was avoided.]

[Choi Jin-cheol changed his position from third base to first base, but still shows solid defense.]

[He is a player who showed stable catching ability when playing first base in the major leagues.]

[But that’s all for Jang Yoon. Jang Yoon gave up 3 runs in 6 2/3 innings and showed quality starting pitching. Fans applaud. AT Thunders’ second pitcher is Han Sang-hyun, a sure-to-win pitcher. He has 1 win, 3 losses, and 3 holds with an ERA of 3.23.]

*

“Ha, fuck. I miss you. “I should have been a little calmer.”

In a situation where the inning could have ended with a double play, Sang-Hyun Han, who was newly on the mound, probably worried about not throwing the ball properly, was practicing pitching while Seong-Tae Yoon approached him.

“brother.”

“huh?”

“Don’t be a jerk. “Are you as dead as a baby because you made one mistake?”

“… Does it seem like a lot of steam?”

“The shortstop might make a mistake.”

I also played shortstop until middle school, so I could understand Seongtae Yoon’s feelings. Mistakes by shortstops are a natural occurrence in baseball. Legendary defender Aji Smith also recorded double-digit errors in his shortstop position. There was no expectation that the shortstop would not make a mistake in the first place.

“I should have thrown more accurately.”

And there is no need to blame Yoon Seong-tae. If I had come to my senses, I could have finished the inning. Because Kim Dong-jin’s speed was faster than expected, it put a strain on his shoulders.

“Aida. “I should have done better.”

Seongtae Yoon’s expression was dripping with regret and regret. Are you feeling intimidated because it is a big game?

“brother. Don’t act like a jerk. “If you score, I will earn it again.”

Well, I understand that. In a game like this, if even the slightest mistake is made, the atmosphere is naturally lost. Everyone knew that Hancheol was not a volcanic, shitty team, nor was it a team that would miss this kind of atmosphere, so such a reaction was natural.

… Actually, even though I spoke strongly to Seongtae Yoon, I was also a little anxious. And that anxiety soon became reality.

“Base on balls!”

The second batter, Kim Jeong-hyun, gets on base with a walk.

Ta – evil!

-Wow!

-Joo Seung-cheol! Joo Seung-cheol! Joo Seung-cheol!

Seungcheol Joo, the third batter, did not miss the opportunity. A large three-run over the left-field fence.

“Hey, now I win, right? “I hit multiple home runs today.”

Joo Seung-cheol, who was circling second base, tapped the logo on his uniform and said something that made me angry.

‘Okay, let’s go to the end of the ship. ‘Who laughs last?’