After 7 years of being a great pitcher, 'KS shutout' re-enactment? Hwang Dong-jae is Samsung's desperate choice to rebound

Oct 23, 2024

◇Sportschosun DB

The second game that follows immediately after the first game of the Korean Series.

The big pitcher and the next-generation ace will play a match. KIA Tigers and Samsung Lions announced Yang Hyun-jong (36) and Hwang Dong-jae (23) as starting pitchers for Game 2 of the 2024 Korean Series at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 23rd.

Yang Hyeon-jong is KIA's ace who doesn't need an explanation. The nickname 'Great Pitcher' says it all. He recorded the highest number of strikeouts in a professional baseball career and surpassed 170 innings for 10 consecutive years. He went 11-5 with a 4.10 ERA this season.

Yang Hyun-jong is on the mound again for the first time in seven years since 2017. Yang Hyun-jong, who won 20 games at the time, shut out the game with four hits, two walks and 11 strikeouts in nine innings in Game 2 of the Korean Series, and although the championship was decided, he took the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning and made a save in Game 5 to end the V11 finale.

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.'

Samsung starter Hwang Dong-jae is pitching hard in Game 3 of the playoffs between Samsung and LG at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 17th. Jamsil = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.10.17/

The game between Samsung and LG in Game 3 of the playoffs at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 17th, and Samsung's Hwang Dong-jae struck out LG Park Hae-min with two outs and second base in the bottom of the second inning. Jamsil = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.10.17/

Hwang Dong-jae (23) is the choice of the Samsung Lions, who needs to rebound from their defeat in the first round.

Samsung planned to decide the starting pitcher for the second game based on the results of the first game. If left-hander Lee Seung-hyun did not take the mound in Game 1, he would use it in Game 2, otherwise Hwang Dong-jae would take the mound. As Lee Seung-hyun took the mound for relief in Game 1, Baton naturally fell to Hwang Dong-jae.

Hwang Dong-jae, who joined Samsung as the first draft pick of the 2020 rookie draft, recorded 1 win and 2 losses and an ERA of 4.07 in 15 games and 42 innings this season. Samsung helped Samsung achieve second place in the pennant race by going back and forth between the starting pitcher and the bullpen. In Game 3 of the playoffs against the LG Twins, he started and recorded one hit, three walks, and three strikeouts in three innings.

ppark@sportschosun.com