A shocking revolutions per minute (RPM) figure. The batter couldn't even make contact when he swung with determination. Professional baseball player Choi Jun-Yong of the Lotte Giants showcased overwhelming pitching skills, playing a pivotal role in the team's comeback.

Lotte secured a narrow 7-6 victory against the NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park on the 26th. After a four-game winning streak, Lotte maintained its position at third place without falling into a losing streak.

Ace pitcher Alec Gamboa started the game but allowed three runs in the first inning due to an error by shortstop Jeon Min-jae, putting the team at a disadvantage. However, the batting lineup gradually closed the gap, and in the top of the fifth inning, a pinch-hit three-run home run by Na Seung-yeop turned the game around, leading 7-5.

In the following top of the sixth inning, Lotte had a chance to score with no outs and the bases loaded but failed to add more runs. They missed the opportunity to seal the game with a double play by Kim Min-sung and a strikeout by Yoo Kang-nam.

A situation arose where the atmosphere could swing back in favor of the opposing team. Nonetheless, starter Gamboa easily recorded two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. However, after two outs, he allowed two hits to Kim Hwi-jip and subsequently issued a walk. Then, Kim Hyung-jun, who had hit three hits including a home run in the previous day's game (the 25th), came to bat.

In front of a batter who needed to be wary of a big hit, the Lotte bench brought in their hardest-throwing pitcher. Currently, the pitcher with the best form in the Lotte bullpen, Choi Jun-Yong, took the mound. Choi Jun-Yong squared off against Kim Hyung-jun in a battle of strength.

The first pitch, a 151 km fastball, was a ball outside. Choi Jun-Yong continued to crank it up. The second pitch was also a 151 km fastball, slightly high and outside. Kim Hyung-jun swung intentionally but missed. The third pitch was a 153 km fastball on the outside corner, and Kim Hyung-jun's bat missed again. Following that, without throwing a deceptive pitch, Choi Jun-Yong threw a 152 km fastball on the fourth pitch, resulting in a swing and miss for a strikeout. The inning ended with a swing and miss strikeout for Choi Jun-Yong, who continued his consecutive wins.

The ball passed above the swinging bat. Choi Jun-Yong's pitch was rising and not dropping in front of the batter. This highlighted the impressive vertical movement and revolutions of Choi Jun-Yong's pitches. During Kim Hyung-jun's at-bat, the RPM displayed on the Changwon NC Park scoreboard was recorded in the 2500 range. Given that the average RPM for KBO League pitchers is around 2200 to 2300, this illustrates how exceptional Choi Jun-Yong's RPM is. He also took the mound in the following seventh inning. He allowed a single to leadoff batter Son Ah-seop, who focused on contact and made a light swing sending the ball to the outfield, showcasing Son Ah-seop's technique.

Subsequently, instead of relying solely on fastballs, Choi Jun-Yong incorporated cutters and other breaking balls. However, the quality of his pitches remained unchanged. In the seventh inning, with no outs and a runner on first, the RPM of the 150 km fastball thrown to Oh Young-su reached 2611. This reaffirmed the astonishing quality of his fastball.

After that, he induced Oh Young-su into a ground ball to first base off a mis-hit. Then, he showcased a fastball and predominantly used a cutter that broke towards the inside to induce a swing and miss strikeout against Kim Ju-won. He also intimidated Kwon Hee-dong with a fastball, then drew a swing and miss strikeout with an outside 142 km cutter. He recorded 1⅓ innings with one hit allowed, three strikeouts, and no earned runs, completing his mission. Since joining in mid-May, he has already secured his eighth hold.

On that day, Lotte’s 'Yongwonjoong' winning trio, including Choi Jun-Yong, Jeong Cheol-won, and Kim Won-jung, ensured the team's victory. Closer Kim Won-jung, after two outs in the ninth inning, allowed four consecutive walks, resulting in one run scored, which sent chills down the spine, but ultimately managed to retire Matt Davidson with a flyout to right field, securing the win. Nevertheless, Lotte emerged victorious.

A healthy Choi Jun-Yong is on 'another level.' After undergoing surgery on his right shoulder last year, he overcame pain and has also conquered elbow pain earlier this year, emerging stronger from these trials. With Choi Jun-Yong, the Lotte bullpen has found stability and is developing a winning DNA that insists on overcoming close contests.

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