Professional baseball's Hanwha Eagles player Luis Liberato (30) is showcasing a hot batting sensation since entering the KBO League.
On the 28th, Liberato started as the second center fielder in the game against the SSG Landers at Incheon SSG Landers Field, recording 2 hits, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, and 1 run scored in 4 at-bats.
After striking out swinging in the first two at-bats in the 1st and 4th innings, Liberato, while Hanwha was trailing 0-1 in the 6th inning with 1 out and runners on 1st and 3rd bases, hit a 151 km/h fastball from SSG starter Drew Anderson for a three-run home run that went over the right-center field wall. This was Liberato's first home run in the KBO League, with a distance of 120 meters.
Liberato also delivered a crucial hit that linked up to add more runs in the 8th inning with no outs and a runner on 1st base. Thanks to Liberato's performance, Hanwha won 5-2, balancing their weekend series at 1 win and 1 loss.
In a post-game interview, Liberato said, "I am so happy. I thought I would get a good result after hitting, but I didn't expect it to be a home run. I knew that (Anderson) was a good pitcher. (Cody) Ponce and I are in a competition for earned run average, and after I hit a home run, Ponce kept saying thank you."
Before this game, Anderson had recorded 5 wins and 3 losses with an earned run average of 1.94 over 15 games (88 innings), maintaining the best average in the league. Before this game, a double by Park Chan-ho against KIA on the 22nd was corrected to an error, dropping his earned run average from 2.05 to 1.94, placing him at the top. However, shortly after, he collapsed under Liberato's home run, relinquishing the top spot back to Ponce.
Liberato reflected on the moment he hit the home run against Anderson, stating, "I always have the same thought when I step up to bat. It’s important to continue the offense. I only think about making contact with the ball." Regarding the celebratory display after hitting the home run, he said, "It was a home run that came in an important situation. I am always an energetic player. I celebrate big after hitting a home run," he said, smiling.
Hanwha brought in Estevan Florial as a foreign player this season. Florial had a decent record this season, batting .271 with 70 hits in 258 at-bats, 8 home runs, 29 RBIs, 36 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases for an OPS of .783. However, he suffered an injury when he was hit on the right hand by a pitch from closer Jeong Hae-young in the game against KIA on the 8th, prompting Hanwha to replace him with Liberato as a foreign player. Liberato has been on fire, batting .429 in 5 games with 9 hits in 21 at-bats, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, and 3 runs scored for an OPS of 1.122.
"Friends who played in Korea recommended that I would adapt well here," Liberato noted. "I am a player who can hit many short hits rather than long balls and can also bunt, so I think they said I would fit well in the KBO League."
The contract period for a replacement foreign player is 6 weeks. This may be a somewhat short time to fully showcase his abilities. Regarding the pressure of a fixed deadline, Liberato stated, "To be honest, I try not to worry too much about the 6-week contract. I only think about working hard at the plate every day," emphasizing that he will focus more on the current games without being tied down by the 6-week timeline.
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