Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 273

273. Korean Series (4)

Neither team managed to score in the 5th or 6th innings.

This was due in part to the outstanding pitching of Scott and Go Ji-hoon, and also to the heightened focus of both teams’ defenses, who were performing at their absolute best.

As a result, the score remained locked at 0-0.

Michael Scott remained on the mound for the Jaguars as the Buffaloes came up to bat in the top of the 7th inning.

“As expected, Michael Scott and Go Ji-hoon are pitching incredibly well. What’s more, their concentration is even sharper because this game is so crucial,” one commentator observed.

“I wonder if we’ll see both of them pitch a shutout all the way to the 9th, considering how fiercely they’re battling,” another added.

So Young-joon slammed his desk, his excitement palpable.

“Both pitchers are nearing 90 pitches. They’re bound to start tiring soon. The Korean Series [the championship series of Korean baseball] can really take a toll on their stamina. This is when you have to watch out for a big hit.”

-Thwack!

-Thwack!

However, everyone chuckled at Scott’s continued dominance.

“Scott seems to have plenty of gas left in the tank.”

Choi Jung-hwan shook his head in disbelief.

-Thwack!

-Strike out!

The Buffaloes’ hitters remained helpless against Scott’s pitches.

“I guess I was worrying for nothing.”

I could only offer an awkward smile.

Scott finished the 7th inning without allowing a single baserunner.

Immediately following was the bottom of the 7th, with the Jaguars’ offense coming to the plate.

The Jaguars’ 4th batter, Han Gyo-jin, led off the inning.

“This inning will likely be Go Ji-hoon’s last. Plus, he’s facing their key hitters.”

“The reason this at-bat is so important is that if he allows a runner to reach base this inning, he’ll have to face these same dangerous hitters again in the 9th. There’s no good reason to face potential home run hitters back-to-back in the late innings,” So Young-joon explained.

Meanwhile, Go Ji-hoon began his pitching sequence.

-Thwack!

-Ball!

“He’s definitely pitching more cautiously than before.”

The second pitch left Go Ji-hoon’s hand as he took a deep breath.

At the same time, Han Gyo-jin’s bat began to swing.

-Clang!

-Wowwww-

With a resounding crack, the ball launched off Han Gyo-jin’s bat and soared into the outfield.

The ball landed between the center fielder and right fielder, rolling all the way to the warning track [the area just before the outfield fence].

“Finally, a solid extra-base hit! It’s a double for Han Gyo-jin!”

“I think this is the first time a runner has reached scoring position in today’s game?”

So Young-joon said, rummaging through the game statistics.

“That’s right. And the next batter is Watson. But Watson has struggled against Go Ji-hoon. Since first base is open, the Buffaloes have less pressure to pitch to him. What decision will the Jaguars make?”

“Since this is likely to be a low-scoring game, it might be worth trying a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to third.”

“We’ll have to see if Watson gets the bunt sign.”

Watson, at the plate, checked the sign from the coach and nodded in acknowledgment.

Go Ji-hoon, after exchanging signs with the catcher, stared intently at second-base runner Han Gyo-jin for a long moment before beginning his windup.

Then, Watson shortened his bat and lowered his stance, signaling a bunt.

-Tap!

The ball trickled towards third base with minimal speed.

“He bunts it beautifully! The placement and speed are perfect.”

Thanks to the well-executed bunt, Han Gyo-jin was able to advance easily to third base.

At the same time, Watson sprinted towards first base, but he was easily thrown out.

“Han Gyo-jin has successfully advanced to third base. This is the closest they’ve come to scoring in today’s game.”

“Is there a chance Han Gyo-jin might try to steal home here?”

So Young-joon tilted his head, soliciting opinions.

“Would Gyo-jin really attempt to steal home? It might catch the other team off guard, but…”

Jang Su-young cautiously shook his head.

“Wouldn’t it be too risky for the Jaguars’ bench to call for such a gamble in this crucial situation?”

I agreed.

Now Seo Sung-min stepped up to the plate.

As expected, he prepared to hit from the left-handed batter’s box.

-Thwack!

-Thwack!

Perhaps willing to concede a walk, Go Ji-hoon’s pitch was outside the strike zone.

However, Go Ji-hoon, known for his pinpoint control, threw a pitch that looked deceptively like a strike.

It was a pitch that would tempt any hitter to swing.

-Tap!

The ball weakly dribbled off Seo Sung-min’s bat towards the shortstop.

Han Gyo-jin, who had been inching towards home, hesitated and tried to retreat to third base, but the shortstop had already fielded the ball.

“Han Gyo-jin is caught in a rundown! He needs to stall for as much time as possible so that Seo Sung-min can reach second base, even if he gets tagged out.”

Han Gyo-jin darted towards home, evading the shortstop who was chasing him from third base.

The shortstop, driving Han Gyo-jin towards home with the ball, threw to the catcher, who was waiting as Han Gyo-jin approached the plate.

Again, the catcher forced Han Gyo-jin back towards third base.

As the routine rundown play unfolded,

“Huh?”

Everyone watching the game likely uttered this exact word.

The catcher, who had received the ball again, seemed to be driving Han Gyo-jin back to third, but he grew impatient and threw the ball to third baseman Park Sung-joo prematurely.

Seeing this, Han Gyo-jin immediately reversed course and sprinted for home.

Park Sung-joo, startled, caught the ball and threw it to the player backing up home plate, but

Han Gyo-jin had already slid across home plate, tagging it with his hand.

The umpire, who had been watching intently, confidently stretched out both arms to the sides and declared:

-Safe!

-Woooo!

It was the moment the score, which had been 0-0 for so long, finally changed to 0-1.

The Jaguars fans, who had been eagerly awaiting the first run, leaped to their feet and erupted in cheers.

“The first run comes in like that! It was a seemingly ordinary rundown play, but Han Gyo-jin capitalized on the mistake!”

I slammed my desk and jumped up in excitement.

“The catcher must have been too antsy. They must practice rundown situations extensively. To make a mistake like that here…”

So Young-joon said, unable to conceal his disappointment.

“Han Gyo-jin is also to be commended for seizing that fleeting opportunity.”

“But has Gyo-jin always been this quick and agile?”

So Young-joon was speechless as he watched the replay.

“It won’t be officially recorded as an error, but the Buffaloes will surely rue this moment.”

The catcher stood motionless, his head bowed in shame.

Go Ji-hoon, watching from the mound, also looked up at the sky, unable to mask his disappointment.

Finally, the pitching coach emerged from the Buffaloes’ dugout.

“It appears they’re making a pitching change. Go Ji-hoon’s pitch count is nearing 100. It’s wise to replace him rather than pushing him too far.”

“If not for that error just now, he might have finished the inning.”

Disappointment was etched on Jang Su-young’s face.

“Still, he pitched exceptionally well. 6.1 innings and only 1 run allowed is a stellar performance.”

“Awesome job, Go Ji-hoon!”

We all stood and applauded Go Ji-hoon as he walked off the field.

The Buffaloes’ relief pitchers managed to prevent any further runs with solid pitching.

Neither team scored in the 8th inning.

Now it was the top of the 9th, the Buffaloes’ last chance to score in regulation.

The score remained 0-1.

And the pitcher on the mound for the Jaguars was still Michael Scott.

“It seems they’re going to let Scott finish the game.”

“Scott has truly become a complete pitcher. It’s not surprising at all that they’re letting him pitch the 9th.”

So Young-joon said, giving a thumbs up.

Even with his pitch count exceeding 110, Scott’s pitching radiated confidence.

He dug deep, summoning the last of his strength against the first two batters, throwing pitches filled with sheer determination.

And with two outs in the top of the 9th…

-Thwack!

-Strike out!

Scott sealed the victory with a 153 km/h [approximately 95 mph] fastball.

-Woooo!

The Jaguars fans erupted in cheers the instant the final out was recorded.

Scott, on the mound, roared in triumph, celebrating the hard-fought victory.

“In the end, the Jaguars win Game 1! Scott has once again proven his dominance over the Buffaloes with a masterful performance!”

I clapped and rose from my seat.

“Game 1 was incredibly intense. They were neck and neck during the regular season, and the postseason is no different.”

“This Korean Series is likely to remain this competitive.”

“Dream Agency Live will continue broadcasting until the conclusion of the Korean Series!”

With that, the broadcast of Game 1 of the Korean Series came to an end.

* * *

The very next day, the Korean Series between the Jaguars and the Buffaloes continued with Game 2.

The Jaguars put themselves in a very advantageous position by winning Game 2, following their Game 1 victory.

Most fans believed the series would end quickly and decisively.

However, the team that had battled so fiercely for first place until the very last game was not so easily defeated.

The Buffaloes turned the tide with Oh Seok-hoon’s extra-base hit and Park Sung-joo’s home run.

The Buffaloes managed to reignite their hopes by winning Game 3.

They carried that momentum into Game 4, fueled by another home run from Park Sung-joo.

Although Jung Min-woo, the Jaguars’ starting pitcher for Game 4, allowed only 1 run in 6 innings, fulfilling his role admirably, he couldn’t secure the win.

Two wins and two losses.

In a tense situation where the series was tied, they faced Game 5.

Once again, a pitching duel between Michael Scott and Go Ji-hoon unfolded.

Both pitchers performed admirably, pitching 6 innings each.

Ultimately, the game was decided by the performance of the bullpens [relief pitchers].

The Jaguars secured a crucial victory thanks to Donald Watson’s hit, followed by Seo Sung-min’s game-winning RBI [Run Batted In].

Three wins and two losses.

The Jaguars were now just one win away from claiming the Korean Series championship.

Oh Seok-hoon led the Buffaloes, who were facing elimination.

He hit a miraculous game-winning home run in the 9th inning, narrowly keeping his team’s hopes alive.

Just like their fiercely contested regular season, the two teams remained deadlocked even after Game 6.

In the end, the Korean Series went to a decisive Game 7.

└The regular season was nail-biting until the last day, and now the Korean Series is going to Game 7!

└It’s rare for the Korean Series to go to Game 7. This season is truly legendary.

└In Game 7, they have to leave it all on the field, right? The coaches’ tactical battle will be intense.

└Which team will be celebrating tomorrow night?