Four innings of loss crisis → reversal → 108 pitches bang! KIA Lauer gives 1 run in 5 innings against LG 'First win challenge'
Aug 17, 2024
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KIA Tigers' new foreign pitcher Eric Lauer left the mound after meeting the winning requirements in his second appearance in the KBO League. Lauer started against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium on the 17th and allowed four hits, four walks, seven strikeouts and one run in five innings. The total number of pitches is 110. Lauer, who allowed four runs (against no-decision) in three ⅓ innings against Samsung in Gwangju on the 11th, when he made his league debut, was expected to pitch better against LG. Lauer, who struggled with a sharp increase in the number of pitches from the third inning when the opponent's batting order took a turn, succeeded in meeting the winning requirements by pitching scoreless again in the bottom of the fifth inning when KIA brought the lead with Na Sung-bum's equalizer and Park Chan-ho's upset sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth inning.
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Lauer gave up a left-center hit to Kim Hyun-soo after two outs in the bottom of the second inning, but he came down the mound without a run as he caught Park Hae-min with a ground ball.
A run was lost in the third inning. Lauer, who allowed a left-field hit to leadoff hitter Song Chan-ui, walked to Hong Chang-ki. While they succeeded in double steal and became second and third base with no outs, Lauer induced Shin Min-jae to ground out to shortstop, but in the meantime, Song Chan-ui gave up the first run, a home run. Lauer had to settle for blocking additional runs while striking out Austin and handling Moon Bo-kyung on a fly ball.
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The number of pitches accumulated by throwing 25 pitches in the third inning and 36 pitches in the fourth inning eventually rose to 97 at the end of the fourth inning.
KIA's batting lineup succeeded in erasing the losing requirements. In the top of the fifth inning, Na Sung-bum, the leadoff batter, hit a tiebreaking solo shot to LG starter Son Joo-young at the top of the standout, making it 1-1 balanced. Lauer, who was on the verge of losing, had a chance to win as KIA succeeded in turning the tables with Park Chan-ho's sacrifice fly to left field with the bases loaded with one out made by Lee Woo-sung's hit, Byun Woo-hyuk's walk, and Han Jun-su's hit. However, it was unclear whether he would take the mound in the fifth inning because the number of pitches was already close to 100.
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The batters responded again to Lauer's fighting spirit. He scored nine points in the sixth inning alone, widening the gap to 11-1. It was a moment when a smile spread to Lauer's face.
ppark@sportschosun.com
