5.2 innings of good pitching + hot scoring support, KS victory for the first time in seven years as a great pitcher
Oct 23, 2024
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KIA Tigers' Yang Hyun-jong pitched well in his first Korean Series appearance in seven years. Yang Hyun-jong started Game 2 of the 2024 Korean Series against the Samsung Lions at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 23rd and allowed eight hits, one walk, four strikeouts and two runs in five ⅔ innings. 86 total pitches.
Yang Hyun-jong, who was expected to start the second game early. A must-win card that KIA was able to confidently post with James Nail. The first game, in which Nail withdrew with one run in five innings, was declared a suspended game due to rain, and two days were delayed, resulting in a variable in the preparation process. With KIA making a come-from-behind victory in the first game that resumed on the 23rd, Yang Hyun-jong's pitching was the key. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho said, `If Yang Hyun-jong throws it like he did in 2017, it will be the best scenario,' but added, `I think if we hold out for about five to six innings, we will have a favorable situation for the team.'
Yang Hyun-jong, who handled the first batter Kim Ji-chan with a fly ball in the top of the first inning. Kim Hun-gon also got an out count with a fly to center field. Diaz allowed a hit to the middle, but he came down the mound without losing a run when he caught Kang Min-ho with a fly ball to left field. Yang Hyun-jong's burden will be lessened as KIA's batting lineup hit Samsung's Hwang Dong-jae in the bottom of the first inning and succeeded in five big innings.
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The first crisis came in the top of the third inning. Second baseman Kim Sun-bin tried to jump catch leadoff hitter Kim Hun-gon's straight hit, but he fell out of his glove and became an infield hit. Yang Hyun-jong struck out Kim Ji-chan and Kim Heon-gon in a row, but gave up a heavy hit to Diaz again and allowed a walk to Kang Min-ho, putting him on the verge of loading the bases with two outs. However, Yang Hyun-jong blocked Kim Young-woong's loss by handling the fly ball again.
However, Samsung's batters did not just back down.
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Yang Hyun-jong finished with a three-out in the top of the fifth inning. As the batters scored an additional point in the bottom of the fifth inning, the lead widened to six points, and the shoulders became lighter. Yang Hyun-jong allowed Ryu Ji-hyuk to double to right field after one out in the top of the sixth inning, followed by Jeon Byung-woo walking. In the subsequent match, Yang Hyun-jong allowed a timely hit to Kim Hyun-joon in the left field and recorded his second run. Eventually, pitcher coach Jung Jae-hoon took the mound, and Yang Hyun-jong handed over the mound to Lee Joon-young. As Lee Joon-young filled the last out count, Yang Hyun-jong's runs did not increase any more.
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ppark@sportschosun.com
