Two foreign players hungry for victory will face off. In the Korean Baseball Organization, LG Twins' Eliezer Hernandez and Samsung Lions' Ariel Hurado will have a starter showdown on the 15th at Jamsil Stadium.
Hernandez has appeared in 3 games this season, recording 1 win, 2 losses, and an earned run average of 8.31. On the 25th of last month, he showcased a brilliant performance against Hanwha Eagles, pitching 7 innings with 1 hit, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts, and no earned runs to achieve his first victory.
Since then, he has performed below expectations. In the game against KT Wiz on the 2nd, he collapsed, allowing 8 earned runs (5 hits, including 1 home run, 3 walks, and 1 strikeout) in ⅔ inning. The same happened in the matchup against Kiwoom Heroes on the 9th, where he took his second loss of the season after giving up 4 earned runs over 5⅓ innings with 4 hits (3 home runs) and 4 walks.
Unlike Hernandez, Hurado has pitched well but has not had good fortune. He achieved quality starts in all 4 games but only managed 1 win and 2 losses. As evident from his earned run average of 2.67, his pitching content has been good. In the home game against SSG Landers on the 9th, he also delivered a solid performance, pitching 7 innings and allowing only 1 earned run, but could not add to his wins. He has a heavy burden to not only earn personal victories but also to save the team, which is on a losing streak.
At Sajik Stadium, Kiwoom Heroes will clash with Lotte Giants. Kiwoom has announced Kenny Rosenberg as their starting pitcher, while Lotte will send Na Gyun-an. Rosenberg, who stepped onto Korean soil for the first time this season, has a record of 2 wins and 2 losses with an earned run average of 4.13.
Although he collapsed in his first appearance, the season opener against Samsung Lions on the 22nd of last month, allowing 8 earned runs over 3 innings, he has since achieved quality starts in 3 consecutive games. In his last appearance against LG Twins on the 9th, he displayed a perfect performance, pitching 8 innings with no earned runs and recording 13 strikeouts.
Na Gyun-an has taken on 1 loss without a win in 3 games, but as shown by his earned run average of 3.94, he has fulfilled his role as a starting pitcher.
At Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, KT Wiz's Koh Young-kyu (3 games, 1 win, earned run average 3.06) will face Kia Tigers' James Neill (4 games, 2 wins, earned run average 0.36). At Incheon SSG Landers Field, Hanwha Eagles and SSG Landers will clash. Both teams will feature foreign pitchers. Hanwha will start Cody Ponce, while SSG will send Drew Anderson to the mound.
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