The strengths were clear. But the weaknesses were also evident. Lotte Giants' new foreign pitcher Alex Gamboa showcased a stark contrast of brilliance and flaws in his first appearance. Moving forward, there was a concern about how to maximize strengths and offset weaknesses.

Gamboa started the game against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 27th, throwing 89 pitches over 4⅔ innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 walk, 2 hit batsmen, and finishing with 4 earned runs. After a disappointing debut, he had to watch the team suffer a 3-7 loss. He bore the burden of being the losing pitcher in his debut.

That day, Gamboa threw a powerful fastball that reached up to 155 km/h. Despite the Samsung batters knowing this, they struggled to make solid contact. He showcased the sharpness of his slider, which clocked in at 145 km/h, and his curveball was effective at disrupting timing. He threw 45 fastballs, 27 sliders, 13 curveballs, and 4 changeups that day.

The issue was Gamboa's performance against right-handed batters. Against Samsung's key left-handed batters like Kim Ji-chan, Kim Seong-yoon, Diaz, and Ryu Ji-hyuk, he appeared nearly perfect. Not a single solid hit was made. He completely disrupted their timing with a combination of fastballs and sliders.

However, he struggled against right-handed batters, causing self-inflicted crises. In the first inning, after striking out lead-off batter Kim Ji-chan, he fell behind 3 balls to Lee Jae-hyun and ultimately allowed a single to center. He faced another crisis in the second inning. After recording one out in the second inning, he allowed a single to right from Kang Min-ho. After handling Ryu Ji-hyuk's grounder himself, he allowed another single to right from right-handed batter Park Seung-kyu, placing two runners on base with two outs. Then, with a favorable count of 1 ball and 2 strikes against Lee Seong-kyu, he threw a 144 km/h slider that hit Lee's right foot. He found himself in a bases-loaded situation due to a hit by pitch.

Ultimately, he induced a weak grounder from Kim Ji-chan that could have been a routine out, but it turned into an infield single. The first baseman failed to collect the ball, and taking advantage of the confusion in the Lotte infield, runner Park Seung-kyu also scored.

Afterward, he allowed another walk to right-handed batter Lee Jae-hyun, extending the bases-loaded crisis. It was here that the problematic scene unfolded. Gamboa had a routine of bending at the waist like a folder during his setup process before pitching. This was the case not only when there were no runners but also when there were runners on base. He even lowered his head and moved his legs. It was difficult to gauge the positions of the runners and loosen up his legs.

Samsung did not miss this opportunity. Coach Lee Jong-wook at third base and Lee Seong-kyu rushed home while Gamboa was bending at the waist. Catcher Yoo Kang-nam confirmed this and stood up to call for Gamboa, but Gamboa did not hear and was slow to assess the situation. He failed to make a throw and conceded a run foolishly. This became the ninth recorded triple steal in the 44-year history of the KBO League. Gamboa was rattled afterward, allowing his fourth earned run due to a wild pitch.

Except for the second inning, Gamboa did not allow any earned runs. After one out in the fifth inning, he allowed Kim Seong-yoon to reach base on a shortstop error and a hit by pitch to Diaz. With one out and runners on first and second, he struck out Kim Young-woong. His pitch count reached 89, and when right-handed batter Kang Min-ho came to the plate, he left the mound. Up until the 5th inning when he had thrown over 80 pitches, he demonstrated no issues with stamina, continuously throwing pitches over 150 km/h.

On that day, he displayed enough power in his pitches to generate 9 strikeouts. He was a pitcher who not only had speed but also command, and the effectiveness of his breaking balls was not poor. However, the clarity of his weaknesses against right-handed batters and the problems when there were runners on base were too evident. The KBO League does not tolerate such relaxations from pitchers. The setup motion of bending at the waist when there are runners on second or third will surely continue to trouble Gamboa. Changing a form overnight is a sensitive element for pitchers. However, as long as he does not alter his setup motion, he will have to carry the risks of runners and stolen bases at the bases.

The struggles against right-handed batters need to be reassessed. This year, Gamboa recorded a batting average against right-handed batters of 21.1% with a WHIP of 1.24 in the minor leagues. His record against left-handed batters shows a batting average of 20% with a WHIP of 1.50, which is not significantly different. Last year, he recorded a right-handed batting average of 25.6% with a WHIP of 1.40, and a left-handed batting average of 23.8% with a WHIP of 1.36. It can be considered that he is a pitcher with almost no significant split between left and right-handed hitters.

Even though it was just one game, the difference in performance against left and right-handed batters was stark. Until the second inning, he relied on a combination of fastballs, curves, and sliders against right-handed batters, but starting in the third inning, he began mixing in changeups as well. Aside from allowing an infield single to right-handed batter Kang Min-ho in the third, he managed to compete successfully against right-handed batters. It remains to be seen whether this was just a temporary issue that day or if it will persist in his next appearance.

Although it was one game, Gamboa looked like a half-hearted pitcher. He needs to take responsibility and lead the team moving forward. He must fulfill the role of ace. How will Gamboa wash away the disappointment and stigma of his debut performance in his next outing?

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