(2021) It felt like watching a tiebreaker.
KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol praised William Cuevas, who showcased the best pitching of the season against the Samsung Lions on the 14th.
Cuevas recorded his third win of the season with 7 innings, 4 hits, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts, and no runs allowed. With this, he broke free from the frustrating 5-game losing streak.
He reached a top speed of 151 km and effectively utilized various pitches such as two-seam fastballs, cut fastballs, changeups, and sweepers. KT, led by Cuevas' perfect pitching, defeated Samsung 10-3.
Before the game on the 15th, manager Lee Kang-cheol met with reporters and said, "(2021) It felt like watching a tiebreaker."
At that time, Cuevas started in the first-place decider against Samsung and led the team to a 1-0 victory with 7 innings, 1 hit, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts, and no runs. It was an incredible display of fighting spirit for a pitcher who had thrown 108 pitches just three days earlier and was coming off a two-day rest.
Manager Lee Kang-cheol emphasized, "Cuevas hasn't shown good form lately but yesterday we saw the performance we had hoped for. The selection of pitches and pitching were both good. He needs to pitch like he did yesterday."
Manager Lee Kang-cheol praised the players who brought down Samsung's ace Ariel Hurado (4⅓ innings, 9 hits (2 home runs), 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, 7 runs allowed), saying, "I didn’t expect them to hit like that."
Lee Jeong-hoon's batting in the cleanup spot also paid off. Manager Lee Kang-cheol noted, "Thanks to hitting coach Lim Han-jun for well-structuring the lineup," and said, "According to coach Lim’s plan, Lee Jeong-hoon and Lee Ho-yeon performed well." Regarding the decision to use Oh Gyu-min instead of Ju Gwon at second base with a 7-run lead in the 9th inning, he explained, "While the score difference was large, a pitcher with good control was needed."
Meanwhile, KT's starting lineup consisted of center fielder Bae Jeong-dae, second baseman Kim Sang-su, right fielder Ahn Hyeon-min, designated hitter Lee Jeong-hoon, catcher Jang Seong-woo, left fielder Mel Rojas Jr., third baseman Lee Ho-yeon, first baseman Oh Yun-seok, and shortstop Kwon Dong-jin. Side-arm pitcher Ko Young-pyo will start.
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