The Korea Baseball Organization LG Twins have finally rebuilt their complete starting rotation. Foreign pitcher Eliezer Hernandez, who had been sidelined due to a right thigh injury, showcased a perfect performance in his first-team comeback after 45 days.
Last year, Hernandez, who donned the LG uniform as a replacement for Casey Kelly, recorded 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 save, and 1 hold with an earned run average of 4.02 across 11 regular season appearances. His true value shone in the fall stage. Having transformed into a relief pitcher, he demonstrated a flawless performance with 3 saves, 1 hold, and an earned run average of 0.00 in 6 games. LG successfully re-signed Hernandez, who this season recorded 2 wins, 2 losses, and an earned run average of 5.68 across 4 games. On April 15th, he achieved his 2nd win of the season by showcasing a perfect performance with 6 innings pitched, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts, and no earned runs against Samsung. However, he could not take the mound afterward due to right thigh pain.
In his first-team comeback game against Samsung on the 30th, Hernandez displayed a perfect performance with 6 innings pitched, 6 hits allowed, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, and 1 unearned run. He threw 87 pitches that day, reaching a top speed of 151 km/h while mixing various pitches such as curveballs, sliders, changeups, cut fastballs, and two-seam fastballs.
Before the game, the wish of Manager Youm Kyoung-youb that "I expect good pitching since he has rested enough and prepared well" was fulfilled.
In the first inning, Hernandez dealt with Kim Ji-chan on a line drive to the shortstop, conceded a hit to Kim Sung-yoon, but induced Gu Jae-wook into a ground double play to end the inning. In the second inning, he completely shut down Lewin Diaz, Kim Jae-sung, and Ryu Ji-hyuk, completing his first 1-2-3 inning.
In the third inning, after a walk to Lee Jae-hyun and an infield hit by Kim Tae-hoon, Hernandez found himself in a 1-out, 2nd and 3rd base crisis. He allowed a run on Kim Ji-chan's sacrifice fly to right field. After conceding a hit to Kim Sung-yoon, he faced another 1st and 3rd base crisis but ended the third inning by fielding Gu Jae-wook's ground ball himself.
In the fourth inning, after allowing an infield hit to lead-off hitter Lewin Diaz, Hernandez prevented Kim Jae-sung, Ryu Ji-hyuk, and Lee Jae-hyun from reaching base. In the fifth inning, with 2 outs and no runners on base, he gave up consecutive hits to Kim Ji-chan and Park Seung-kyu, but he turned Gu Jae-wook into an infield ground ball.
Hernandez dominated Lewin Diaz, Kim Jae-sung, and Ryu Ji-hyuk in the sixth inning, retiring them in order. He left the mound in the seventh inning with the game tied at 1-1. Although LG lost to Samsung 3-4, Hernandez's successful return was good news.
Thus, the LG starting rotation has been fully rebuilt, including Im Chan-kyu, who is tied for the lead in wins with 8, Yonny Chirinos, Son Ju-yeong (both with 6 wins), Song Seung-gi (5 wins), and Hernandez.
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