I am happy to be the winning pitcher along with the team's sixth consecutive victory.
The 'blue-blooded ace' Won Tae-in (Samsung Lions pitcher) tasted the joy of victory for the first time in 38 days.
On the 31st, Won Tae-in started in the away game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium, achieving his fourth win of the season with 5 innings, 5 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs. This was his first win since the game against the KIA Tigers in Daegu on April 24. He threw a total of 91 pitches, reaching a maximum speed of 151 km/h, mixing in curveballs, sliders, and changeups.
In the first inning, Won Tae-in locked up Park Hae-min, Kim Hyun-soo, and Austin Dean, completing a perfect inning. In the second inning, he allowed a double to left-center to lead-off batter Park Dong-won. He induced Oh Ji-hwan into a groundout to first base. Meanwhile, Park Dong-won advanced to third base. He allowed 1 run on a sacrifice fly by Moon Sung-ju. Shortly after, he dismissed Gu Bon-hyeok with a flyout to right field to end the inning.
In the third inning, Won Tae-in allowed a hit to lead-off batter Lee Young-bin but induced Shin Min-jae into a groundout to first base. He struck out Park Hae-min and got Kim Hyun-soo out on a ground ball to shortstop. In the fourth inning, facing a crisis with a walk to Austin Dean and a hit from Park Dong-won, Won Tae-in managed to end the inning without allowing any runs.
In the fifth inning, after one out, Won Tae-in allowed a hit to Shin Min-jae. After striking out Park Hae-min, he induced Kim Hyun-soo into a groundout to first base to finish the fifth inning. When Won Tae-in allowed a double to left field to the first batter in the sixth inning, Austin Dean, Samsung pitching coach Park Seok-jin came to the mound. Won Tae-in handed the baton to Kim Jae-yoon.
Kim Jae-yoon faced a crisis, allowing a hit to Park Dong-won that put runners on first and third with no outs. He induced Oh Ji-hwan into a double play, but during that time, Austin Dean at third base scored. Won Tae-in's earned runs increased to 2. Samsung defeated LG 4-2, continuing their winning streak to six games since the match against the KIA Tigers on the 24th.
Won Tae-in said, "I am happy to be the winning pitcher along with the team's sixth consecutive victory. Until yesterday, the bullpen pitchers had been pitched a lot, and the goal was to cover long innings, but it was unfortunate that it didn’t happen. I'm relieved that I could leave the mound with minimal earned runs."
He also noted, "The team atmosphere is good, and both pitching and hitting performances are showing, so I think we can continue our winning streak." He did not forget to greet the fans. Won Tae-in said, "I always thank the fans who support our Lions players. We will need their strength going forward, so I ask for your continued support."
Meanwhile, Manager Park Jin-man said, "Starting pitcher Won Tae-in did his part fully. The three veteran pitchers in the bullpen all pitched scoreless and showed good performance with stability."
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