episode_0429

-AT Thunderz! Powered by the offense, they secure a 2-game winning streak!

…Meanwhile, AT Thunderz started with Jang Yoon as their starting pitcher. The anticipated pitching duel between foreign pitcher Wright and Jang Yoon turned into a fiery hitting battle for AT, contrary to expectations. At the heart of it all was leadoff hitter Ji Maeng-ho. Creating a triple from the first inning, Ji Maeng-ho sealed the team’s 13-5 victory with a home run in his final at-bat.

…

┗Maeng-ho’s triple in the first inning was epic, right? Taking two strikes and then hitting a triple is just epic, lol.

┗┗That’s right, and Wright lost his cool, leading to a disaster, lol.

┗Let’s go for first place!!!

┗Wow, how should we handle Ji Maeng-ho? Seems like he wants to compete if intentionally given two strikes.

┗┗We should probably just walk him with an intentional base on balls like NV did. Forcing a walk unnecessarily might lead to another situation like this, lol.

┗Pitcher Ho’s education, lol.

-AT Thunderz! A thrilling 3-game winning streak!

…AT Thunderz continued their winning streak with a narrow 5-4 victory. Once again, Ji Maeng-ho stood out as the hero of the game. Ji Maeng-ho recorded 2 hits, including a home run, 2 runs, and 3 RBIs in 5 at-bats, playing a crucial role in the victory.

…

┗Haha, hitting a go-ahead home run in the 8th inning and celebrating like that was close, lol.

┗ISMHS

┗Yesterday’s game must have fired them up; still fighting, lol.

┗┗Looks like Maeng-ho has been swinging hard after watching the ball for a long time, lol.

┗But there were a lot of hit-by-pitches today.

┗┗Hit-by-pitches have been common since yesterday.

*

“Guys, be careful today because the atmosphere in the game feels off.”

“Got it.”

Before the meeting ended, the coach added a word of caution to be careful. After my triple in the first at-bat of the first game of the series, Gisangju was hit by a pitch, and as the score widened, Jang Yoon retaliated.

And in the second game, there were three hit-by-pitches. Two from NV and one from our side. Although we didn’t say they were intentional walks, those inside the ballpark could definitely feel that they were, considering the tension.

Even though they didn’t throw at me, I found myself caught up in the atmosphere and ended up doing a forced celebration after a long time.

“Especially you, Maeng-ho. Be careful.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t charge if you get hit. You know there are only 30 games left, right? If something goes wrong, you could even face suspension in the Korean Series. Be cautious.”

“So, if I get hit, I should just stay put?”

“Don’t throw punches. Violence is absolutely not allowed. Okay?”

“Yes…”

Should I consider throwing a bat or something?

“Just in case, I’m saying this: don’t hit anyone with a bat. You might not even play next year if you do that.”

“…Come on, I’m not some gangster.”

…Did I give myself away?

“Alright, with 35 games left, let’s finish strong without getting injured. Okay?”

“Yes!”

“Invincible!”

“AT!”

*

In the NV LEX meeting room, a video of Ji Maeng-ho’s home run from the previous at-bat was playing on the screen.

“Ugh, this guy is really annoying.”

As the last celebration appeared on the screen, someone among the NV LEX pitchers muttered.

“Focus, focus. That’s what’s important now. Do you know Ji Maeng-ho had 2 hits in 5 at-bats yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“He hit a home run, but technically, it was a regular hit based on the data. His exit velocity was higher than the average, too. Look at the stats. Wasn’t yesterday’s game more comfortable for him? Seems like Ji Maeng-ho’s form isn’t as great these days.”

“That’s true.”

Ji Maeng-ho’s performance yesterday included 2 hits in 5 at-bats. While it was a good performance, it fell short compared to the destructive power he used to exhibit. Moreover, in the first game where he drew walks, allowing Wright, the team’s foreign starter, to pitch, they suffered a heavy defeat. In yesterday’s

Sending out Bolnet wasn’t a way to stop Jimaengho. That’s why NV’s strategy for this game was to win. Therefore, all pitchers who could play in today’s game were analyzing Jimaengho’s plate appearances from the previous game.

“To be honest, I’d rather take a big hit by accident. Just seeing that punk messing around at the plate makes me want to kill him.”

“…A foul ball.”

NV’s starting catcher, Jung Taesung, muttered an apology while analyzing with the pitchers.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. If even Yonggi couldn’t catch him and Major League catchers struggled during the Olympics. How does that guy time it so well?”

But as someone pointed out, it wasn’t Jung Taesung’s fault. There was a lack of catchers who could handle Jimaengho.

“That’s true. He’s not stealing signs, is he? He’s just running even without runners on base.”

“Well, when that guy gets on base, they keep changing signs, which doesn’t make sense.”

“But you can’t stop throwing breaking balls. Are you going to rely on fastballs against Kiseongju, Williams, and Choi Jincheol? It’s better to let them steal bases than focus on the batter.”

“That’s true.”

“Let’s put that aside for now and discuss how we’re going to compete with Jimaengho. If we prevent him from getting on base, there won’t be any stealing. Dokyoon, how are we going to win?”

In response to the pitching coach’s question, NV’s fourth starter, Park Dokyoon, finally spoke up after some contemplation.

“Well… I’m not sure about curveballs or changeups… It’s… difficult. I don’t have a pitch to face Jimaengho.”

Of course, there was no clear answer. With a batting average close to .400 and an OPS of 1.659, Park Dokyoon focused on control and off-speed pitches to get outs. He was practically prey for Jimaengho.

“Still, you’re confident in your control. And Jimaengho’s condition hasn’t been great lately.”

“I’ll aim outside. The chances of him hitting for power outside are low.”

“Yeah, and…”

The coach and Park Dokyoon discussed their approach actively, incorporating experiences from pitchers who faced Jimaengho in previous series. As time passed, the meeting concluded.

“Alright, that’s it. Good job.”

“Yes, thank you.”

After the pitching coach left the meeting room, it was time for a break.

“But these guys were really pushing it yesterday, weren’t they?”

NV’s pitching team leader, Lee Sunghoon, opened up. Frustrated from yesterday’s game where they increased their losing streak and aggravated by Jimaengho’s showmanship at the end, he couldn’t release his anger due to the tight one-run game that prevented retaliation pitches.

“That’s true. Should we hit one of them today?”

“Even after they were warned, they kept taunting.”

“Dokyoon, hit Jimaengho once.”

“…Jimaengho?”

“Yeah. Not in the first inning, but once we have two outs or a lead.”

When senior players suggested hitting Jimaengho, Park Dokyoon looked uncomfortable. To hit Jimaengho, who had committed various atrocities on the field, meant inviting trouble. If it were Jimaengho, he would charge the mound without hesitation and throw punches. That was 100% his nature.

As Park Dokyoon sweated nervously on the mound, NV’s ace, Kim Sihyun, came to his rescue.

“I’ll do it instead.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Jimaengho, that guy is truly insane.”

In NV, the only one who made it to this year’s Olympics, Kim Sihyun, was well aware of the danger of Jimangho. The realization struck her when she threw a bat at Garet Cole. At that moment, Jimangho’s appearance as he returned to the dugout, smiling and silent in response to other seniors’ questions, was madness itself.

“When he gets pissed off, he throws bats. What will happen if we say it just slipped? Won’t he get disciplined? And Dogyun, are you confident?”

“…Honestly, I’m a bit hesitant to face Jimangho. Last year, someone got benched after getting hit by him. And honestly, if that happens, it feels like he might run wild.”

“Hmm… Then how about Choi Jincheol? He’s the captain.”

“Jincheol senior… Honestly, he’s a bit scary too… And he’s a senior from high school…”

“Well, then it’s a bit ambiguous.”

“Sigh… Then Suho?”

“Oh, Suho used to play with us until a few years ago. Isn’t it a bit off?”

“Then the remaining options are Kisangju or Ukwanghyeong…”

Since NV’s pitchers weren’t particularly keen on beaning anyone, Williams, who had been sidelined for a few months due to a side injury, was excluded from the lineup. Targeting players like Yoon Sungtae, Jung Yooncheol, Baek Jungjin, or Jung Hwichul, who were not at that level, could dilute the warning’s meaning.

So, the remaining choices were Kisangju and Ukwanghyeong.

“But Sangju hyung got hit by a pitch on the first day. Wouldn’t it be a bit off to hit him again?”

“…Then how about Ukwanghyeong senior?”

“Hmm… That should be fine.”

Ukwanghyeong. While he was the league’s top player, he also held significant symbolic value within the team. It seemed that targeting Ukwanghyeong would definitely serve as a warning.

“Then if the situation arises, I’ll try hitting him once.”

“Okay.”

*

“Bases loaded!”

All bases were occupied. Two outs in the bottom of the 1st inning.

“Time!”

Inadequate Jung Yooncheol shouted “Time” and visited the mound. The infielders gathered. In situations like these, I can’t afford to make mistakes.

“Hey! Focus!”

“I am!”

The guy who had already given up two runs was getting angry. Anyway, Im Junhu’s strong ego was the issue. Two runs in the 1st inning. Although he managed to get two outs, it seemed challenging for him to last five innings today.

“Junhu, just throw it down the middle. Trust the fielders. You know two runs aren’t a big deal.”

“…Understood.”

Jung Yooncheol patted Im Junhu’s shoulder and descended from the mound. Calling the catcher to the mound from the 1st inning, Im Junhu was truly unfit as a pitcher.

“All right! Let’s refocus and do this!”

With Choi Jincheol’s words, the fielders returned to their positions. And Im Junhu’s pitch began.

Thud!

NV’s 8th batter touched the first pitch. The ball is coming towards me!

“I got it!”

I quickly stepped forward, picked up the ball as it came towards me, and threw it to 1st base.

“Out!”

“Junhu, I owe you a meal later. I saved your life once.”

“No, you told me to trust and throw.”

“Did I say that?”

“Fielders should catch that much.”

…Just barely hanging in there. Well, even if I hadn’t gotten out in my first at-bat, I would have been in trouble.

Anyway, the crisis of two outs with the bases loaded from the 1st inning ended without giving up any runs. They did concede two runs, but from NV’s perspective, it was a disappointing inning. If the leadoff hitter got on base, there was a good chance the mood would change. Considering our batting lineup, we could easily reverse a two-run deficit at any time, and the players were well aware of that fact.

“Hyung, let’s get on base, Kwanghyeong!”

“Let’s hit a home run this time! Senior!”

So, as we entered the 2nd inning, our team’s atmosphere was bright.

“Okay. I’ll show you.”

Senior Kwanghyeong confidently grabbed his bat and left the dugout. Indeed, he was reliable.

And as the 2nd inning began,

“Huh?”

“What’s this?”

“Isn’t it a ball?”

“Ah… Damn, seriously.”

He strutted out of the dugout confidently, only to collapse at the plate.

‘These bastards…!’