TV
Lee Dae-ho loses comeback despite hitting at the right time
In the 38th episode of JTBC's 'Best Baseball' broadcast on May 1, the Strongest Monsters were shown allowing Landers to come back with a score of 4 to 6, recording their first loss of the season.
The strongest Monsters got off to a good start this season by winning 6-2 in the opening match against professional club Wiz. Starting pitcher Yoo Hee-kwan against the Landers did not give up a single run until the third inning, showing off his performance worthy of last year's MVP. However, the batters, led by Jeong Geun-woo and Lee Taek-geun, failed to show their power, and the streak of 0 continued.
The flow of the game, which took the form of a pitcher's battle, was broken at the end of the fourth inning by Landers Kim Gyu-nam's bat. In the end, Yoo Hee-gwan lost the first point and handed the mound to Shin Jae-young and came down. Shin Jae-young, who was a member of the Landers until last year, showed off his best pitching, but gave up one point because the ball, which was a double play, went into shortstop Won Seong-jun's uniform.
The strongest Monsters made up for one point in the 5th inning and showed their will to chase. He created a big inning after 2 outs in the top of the 7th inning. Taek-geun Lee advanced with a walk, and Yong-taek Park survived with an infield hit. Next, Jeong Seong-hoon tied the score with a clean hit. Accordingly, Landers general coach Lee Dae-su made a special move by putting first-team closing pitcher Kim Tae-hoon on the mound. Dae-ho Lee, former number 4 hitter of the Strongest Monsters, came into the batter’s box.
Lee Dae-ho showed his spirit and spirit to coach Kim Seong-geun during the warm-up time before the game, saying, "Coach doesn't trust me because I don't practice, so I'll use my skills to overcome it. I'll go out as a pinch hitter and hit well to move up (to the starting lineup)." He made a refreshing come-from-behind hit at the right time against Kim Tae-hoon, creating a dramatic situation that turned what he said into fact.
Chung Eui-yoon scored one more point against (former) teammate Kim Tae-hoon and ran away with a 4-2 score. Coach Kim Seong-geun chose Lee Dae-eun as his sure-to-win card in the 8th inning, and Lee Dae-eun pitched well as if repaying his trust. Lee Dae-eun suffered from a chronic disease that caused his fingers to split once again, and he suffered from poor ball control, and in an instant, he was in danger of having a runner with one out and the bases loaded. The mound was passed to Song Seung-jun, and he hit a timely hit with two RBIs, allowing the score to be tied. Landers immediately added 2 points and succeeded in winning the game back to 4-6.
Hyunsoo Jeong came on as a relief pitcher and narrowly escaped a critical situation, but the strongest Monsters were unable to capitalize on their last opportunity to attack in the top of the 9th inning, ending the day's game in defeat. The first loss of the season weighed heavily on the players, and silence fell in the coach's office. When asked for an interview by the production team, director Kim Seong-geun said, "It's a loss," and looked back on past losses after taking office as director. Coach Kim Seong-geun blamed himself, saying, "I'm sorry. Today, especially, I turned the tables, but if I couldn't keep it, it's my fault."
Lee Dae-eun, who provided the clue to the comeback, and Song Seung-jun, who allowed it, also expressed their regrets, blaming themselves for their shortcomings, and strengthened their resolve not to repeat the same mistake. The next opponent waiting for the mighty Monsters, who are in shock from their first loss of the season that came too early, is the prestigious baseball team Whimoon High School, the alma mater of commentator Kim Seon-woo and captain Park Yong-taek.
In the successful match between seniors and juniors, Park Yong-taek declared, "I will return to the leadoff days (fast hitters who focus on getting on base)." However, Whimoon High School's batters are said to show tremendous firepower from the start. To make matters worse, Whimoon High School pitchers' With a fastball, the Strongest Monsters' bat only splits the air. Attention is focused on whether the Strongest Monsters will be able to calm Whimoon High School's fierce offensive and end their losing streak.
Meanwhile, 'Best Baseball' will hold its second direct game of the 2023 season on May 21. The opponent is Sungkyunkwan University, the strongest team in college baseball, which won the championship title for two consecutive years in the 2021 and 2022 College Baseball King of Kings Tournament.
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr
