'Hurlpens of Shock ERA 9.67' Finally, reinforcements will join. Will there be a twist

Jul 16, 2024

A game between the Doosan Bears and SSG Landers at Jamsil Stadium on the 30th. In the bottom of the ninth inning, SSG coach Lee Soo-yong and players are meeting on the mound with two outs and runners on the first and second bases. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.06.30/

The bullpen average ERA is 9.67 since the start of the second half. It's shocking. Will SSG Landers be able to reverse the mood with the addition of reinforcements.

SSG recorded 2-1 wins and 1 loss 'Winning Series' in three consecutive away games in Gwangju against the KIA Tigers last weekend. It is certainly a meaningful achievement that SSG, the fifth-place team, won two games against KIA, the first-place team. However, looking at the process leaves a regret.

The bullpen literally burst. SSG trailed 2-3 in the game on the 14th, the last day of the three consecutive games, and succeeded in turning the game around 4-3 again as the batters followed by one point each. However, the bullpen allowed as many as 10 runs in the seventh and eighth innings alone.

Of course, defensive errors also played a part. On this day, six defensive errors were made at SSG. I gave too many points that I didn't have to give. However, when Noh Kyung-eun caught one out count in the seventh inning and collapsed with three hits, two walks, and three runs, the pitchers who took the mound after that also struggled.

Han Doo-sol gave up two runs in ⅓ innings, Seo Jin-yong gave up four runs (three earned) in 0 innings, and Baek Seung-gun gave up one run (non-earned) in ⅔ innings. The aftermath of 10 runs in the second half remained a considerable shock. In the end, SSG lost 4-13.

Lotte-SSG match held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 11th. SSG won 5-4. Cho Byung-hyun and Lee Ji-young are happy to put their hands together. Incheon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.7.11/

The aftertaste of Gyeonggi Province a day ago was a bit bitter. Although he won the game 15-9, Cho Byung-hyun, the most powerful bullpen pitcher, recently suffered a come-from-behind grand slam by Socrates Brito, and has been collapsing wildly since then, allowing consecutive hits, walks, and even giving up double steals. Noh Kyung-eun was in charge of two innings and could not guarantee victory if he did not break the flow of KIA's batting lineup. If you turn the clock a little further forward, SSG was 7-0 on the day, but it was overturned, so the internal injury was great.

After the All-Star break, SSG had a 4-2 record in six games as the second half began. However, during the same period, the bullpen's ERA reached a whopping 9.67. He is overwhelmingly last out of the 10 clubs. Overall, there are more games in which bullpen pitchers are collapsing, but they have allowed the most points among them. The irony is that the average ERA of the starters during the same period is 2.35, ranking first. As such, it also means that the weakness of the backdoor is the biggest concern of SSG.

Jang Ji-hoon before joining the permanent staff. Sports Chosun DB

First of all, the Red Army is coming. Among the players discharged from the military athletic unit Sangmu Baseball Team on the 15th, SSG members include Kim Taek-hyung, Jang Ji-hoon, and Jo Yo-han. Among them, Kim Taek-hyung and Jang Ji-hoon are drawing attention as bullpen agents that can be used immediately in the first team.

SSG will decide when to join the team after the coaching staff directly examines their bullpen pitching ahead of the away game against the LG Twins in Jamsil, which starts on the 16th. He has a sense of play, so if he maintains his normal condition, he can be a great help to the bullpen. Manager Lee Soo-yong said, `Kim Taek-hyung is a player I've seen (in the first team) for a long time, and I personally liked Jang Ji-hoon through the video. Change-ups are good, and I think it'll be okay if I use them well because I'm a few bullpen side-arm pitchers on my team" expressed anticipation.

More desperately needed bullpen reinforcement. Will their addition put a lot of power on the SSG mound.

youll@sportschosun.com