"It is my goal and obligation to lead the team to victory while taking responsibility for many innings so that the bullpen can rest a little more."

It was perfect. Ariel Hurado, a foreign pitcher for the Samsung Lions in professional baseball, celebrated his first complete game victory since his debut in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league.

Hurado started on the 8th in a home game against the NC Dinos at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. Samsung had deployed seven pitchers, including starter Denny Reyes, the previous day but suffered a painful 7-11 loss. Known as an innings eater representative of the league, Hurado maintained the mound until the 9th inning, showcasing a perfect game with no runs allowed (2 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts).

Of the total 97 pitches that day, 67 were strikes. His highest speed was recorded at 151 kilometers per hour, and he mixed various pitches including curveballs, sliders, two-seam fastballs, cut fastballs, and changeups. Hurado was the first Samsung pitcher to achieve a 1-0 complete game victory at the largely hitter-friendly Daegu Samsung Lions Park. Samsung capped off the weekend series with 2 wins and 1 loss by defeating NC 1-0.

After the game, Hurado met with reporters and said, "I am very happy. Since I didn't have many pitches, I thought I had to work hard until the end." Hurado's complete game victory shone even more as the pitching staff had been heavily used the previous day. He remarked, "It is my goal and obligation to lead the team to victory while taking responsibility for many innings so that the bullpen can rest a little more."

With one out remaining in achieving his first complete game victory, pitching coach Park Seok-jin visited the mound. Hurado explained, "I visited the mound to keep my composure because the atmosphere was heating up."

Daegu is notorious for its 'sweltering heat.' Surrounded by mountains, the basin retains heat poorly. Furthermore, it does not receive much rainfall. In midsummer, temperatures can rise to around 40 degrees Celsius. One can sweat profusely even while standing still. It is no wonder that Daegu is likened to Africa, being referred to as 'Daefrica.' Hurado stated, "I am working hard on cardio exercises so that I don't get exhausted in the heat. I am also paying attention to this so that fatigue does not accumulate."

Kim Jae-sung, the catcher who played a crucial role in Hurado's first complete game victory in the KBO league, noted, "It was my first experience with Hurado, and I indeed found him to be intelligent. He observed the reactions and movements of opposing batters well. I learned a lot too."

Meanwhile, manager Park Jin-man remarked, "Today, we won thanks to the perfect synergy between starter Hurado and catcher Kim Jae-sung. Congratulations on Hurado's first complete game victory in the KBO league. I am happy to offer the victory to the fans who visited the baseball park today."

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