The Hanwha Eagles announced Cody Ponce (31) as their starting pitcher for the third day as their games were canceled due to rain.
Hanwha decided on Ponce as the starting pitcher for the game on the 22nd against Kiwoom after the game on the 21st in Daejeon was canceled due to rain. Amid consecutive rain cancellations including the game on the 20th against Kiwoom, Hanwha named Ponce as the starter for the third consecutive day.
Ponce's wishes were reflected. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon noted that before the cancellation decision was made on the 21st, during an interview with reporters regarding the starting pitcher for the next day in case of cancellation, he said, "(Yang Sang-moon) the pitching coach needs to ask Ponce again. Both pitchers (Ponce and Ryan Weiss) are performing very well in the current situation, but I think we need to consult with Ponce, the number one starter, before making a decision."
While there are pitchers who delay their appearances when games are canceled for consecutive days, Ponce was not one of them. Thanks to the rain, Ponce will take the mound after having seven days of rest since the game against LG on the 14th. He is pitching after the longest rest since the start of the season.
Ponce has dominated the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league this season, pitching 96 innings in 15 games with a record of 9 wins and no losses, an earned run average of 2.16, and 129 strikeouts. He is tied for first in wins, second in earned run average and innings pitched, and first in strikeouts. He has never pitched more than 140 innings in a single season, so manager Kim Kyung-moon had predicted additional rest at some point, but due to the rainy season, Ponce is naturally getting his rest.
On the other hand, Kiwoom has changed its starting pitcher for three consecutive days. After initially announcing Raul Alcantara on the 20th, Kiwoom changed to Jung Hyun-woo on the 21st following the rain cancellation. However, due to another rain cancellation on the 21st, they changed the starting pitcher back to Alcantara for the 22nd.
Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki commented on the change to Jung Hyun-woo on the 21st, stating, "Alcantara had high pitch counts (98, 101, 94) over the last three games. Considering various factors, Alcantara will be pushed back, and Jung Hyun-woo was put into the rotation as scheduled." Jung Hyun-woo earned a win on April 13 against Hanwha with 5 innings and 2 earned runs, which gave him confidence against the opponent.
Hong Won-ki added, "If canceled, Alcantara will start tomorrow (22nd). It seems we need to adjust Jung Hyun-woo to skip a turn." Soon after his interview, the cancellation decision was announced, and Jung Hyun-woo's appearance against Hanwha was postponed.
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