The opponent’s batter got angry as if it was a waste. That’s how much I felt that my ball was good to hit.”
It was truly a nightmare. I wanted to quit the game somehow, but ended up in a deeper slump. Prior to the game on the day, Kim had an 11.50 ERA against this season. To SSG Kim Kwang-hyun, the game was a game in which he was not allowed to do anything.토토사이트
Still, he did not lower his head. He looked forward to the day when we could meet again. He tried to break the bad relationship with his own hands. Thus, he won the match against LG.
Kim gave up five hits, four walks, six strikeouts and two runs in six innings while throwing 103 pitches in the game against LG at Jamsil on Saturday. He led his team to 4-2 win, securing his ninth win of this season. He has thus won four consecutive games against LG since the game against LG at Jamsil on July 21, 2023. However, he became the winning pitcher for the first time in 412 days against LG.
His desperate appearance was revealed through the pitch. Even if he threw the strongest ball this season, he showed off his pitch like in his heyday. He showed off his unique power pitching with a maximum speed of 149km/h.
In addition to the combination of fastball and slider, the team gradually increased the portion of curves from the fourth inning. By using the curveball as a decisive ball, he induced LG batters to strike out swinging. Moon Bo-kyung, one of the hottest hitters in LG in the second half of the season, also struck out with curves in the fifth and sixth innings.
SSG, which is going through a tough second half of the season, ended its three-game losing streak with the victory. The Korean team still has hope for fall baseball. Below is a Q&A session between Kim Kwang-hyun and reporters after the game.
-He had more difficulties than anyone else in the game against LG. Perhaps that’s why he struck out and expressed his emotions a lot.
I was really desperate. I really wanted to win. I think that’s why I showed a lot of that. Actually, I still remember the last LG game that allowed eight runs. At that time, when I caught the last out count, the ball was line driveability. When the ball was caught, the opponent batter got angry as if it was a waste. That’s how much I felt that my ball was good to hit.
It’s a really tough season. It’s the worst season, but I still thought I should not lose to LG again. I kept thinking, “I hope I get a chance to play against LG again.”
It wasn’t a perfect game with two runs, but he still showed some solid performance. This season is not over yet, and there is another next season. We have one more game to play against LG, but I don’t know if he will be able to play at that time. Even if he doesn’t come out, I want to lower his ERA against LG starting next year. I will continue to research LG hitters. He is weak against left-handed hitters, but he will study hard and prepare well for ABS.
-There is a saying that the slider, which is the main weapon, passes in front of the ABS zone, but does not pass in the back, so it becomes a ball. Do you feel this?
It is hard to tell from the standpoint of throwing. So, I hope an ABS will be displayed on the electronic display of each ball. If a pitcher shows a trajectory that penetrates the ball, he or she can throw it knowingly. Batters express a lot of dissatisfaction, but in fact, pitchers do not display signs either. Next year, I hope that ABS will be displayed on the electronic display so that both players and fans can see it. Then, pitchers can accept and prepare accordingly.
-What was good about today compared to the previous LG match?
First of all, the previous game was against KIA. KIA has many good left-handed hitters like LG. When facing KIA, I checked how to throw slider to left-handed hitters. Then, I met LG, and I think it was good to meet KIA and LG. I got a feeling of dealing with left-handed hitters.
-It was also good to use a curve as a crystal ball.
For now, I focused on fastballs and sliders until the third inning. From the fourth inning, I put in curves in earnest. From the batter’s point of view, I am of the same type of pitch as fastball and slider. They say that the difference in speed is not large, so I hit the ball at the same timing. So, I need a pitch that definitely has different timing. I thought I should throw a curve ball, which is a slower breaking ball in the second half. I am paying attention to throwing curves at the timing of fastballs and sliders.
-Did you study the ball combination yourself?
Yes, I recently put PitchCom on my glove and sign it. I learn a lot by signing autographs. I’ve been playing baseball for more than 20 years and have only gotten an autograph from a catcher. Then when I come up with a draft, I study a lot and keep checking the reactions of batters. The analysis team also helps me a lot.
Actually, it’s not easy. I’m agonizing a lot. I’m stuck on what kind of pitch to throw in the middle. Sometimes I just ask. To the shortstop, “What should I throw?” to the bench. I have a headache. But if the results come out well, there’s nothing better than this. There are pros and cons. I’ll do my best to analyze from now on.
-In the past, he was a pitcher who didn’t need analysis. He just crushed the batter with his power. That’s how much time has passed.
There will certainly be a day when such a pitch will come again. The maximum speed of 149km came out today. I will work hard until the day 150km comes out again.
-Both the team and Kim Kwang-hyun are going through a difficult period. Still, they won the game against LG, which was difficult. Wouldn’t it be an opportunity to rebound?
I hope so. That’s why I expressed a lot during the game. It is true that there are many injured and the team’s mood has deteriorated. However, I have to go to Busan and play another game the day after tomorrow. Now, every game is really important. Isn’t it a battle of mood in baseball? I think it will be better if we set the mood well in the future. Since the injured will join the team, I hope the mood will be elevated a lot from today.