Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 347

#346. 22 Consecutive Wins

[Han Su-hyeok hits his 76th home run, breaking the Major League single-season record again, and achieves his second cycle of the season. This game truly belongs to Han Su-hyeok.]

[Texas Rangers pitcher Bobby Durant pitched a strong final start, allowing only 3 runs until the 9th inning with two outs. However, he gave up a walk-off hit to Han Su-hyeok with one out remaining.]

[Bobby Durant, concluding his 15-year Big League career, stated, “Although I was the losing pitcher, I gave it my all today and accept the outcome with grace. Congratulations to Han Su-hyeok on his 76th home run and to Seattle on their 22nd consecutive win.”]

[Baseball fans are applauding Bobby Durant’s sportsmanship, a refreshing contrast to pitchers who avoid pitching to strong hitters to protect their stats.]

[This game perfectly illustrates the essence of records and how we should respect players who challenge them.]

[Rookie Samuel Ramos, making his first start of the season, commented, “Even though I didn’t get the win, I believe today’s experience will be a valuable foundation for my future. I sincerely thank Han Su-hyeok and all my teammates.”]

[Han Su-hyeok, who continues to rewrite Major League Baseball history, said, “Bobby Durant is an excellent pitcher and a baseball player deserving of respect. Every ending marks a new beginning, and I wish him all the best in his life beyond baseball.”]

“Wow, Oppa… did you really say all that? I’m so touched…….”

“Well, it seems slightly edited, but yeah, I said something along those lines.”

“Hehe, it’s the first time I’ve heard you praise a player from another team.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, did I really?”

After the day game against Texas, I stopped by Jacob’s to check my physical condition and then went straight home to rest.

Jacob and I agreed that with only 4 regular season games left, there was no need to push myself too hard.

It was more important to eat well and rest to recover the stamina I was losing each day.

And I had the perfect partner to help me with that.

“Ah, try this. Oppa, ah~”

“What is it?”

“Shouldn’t we sit at the table and have a proper meal first?”

“No, I’m comfortable right here. Let’s stay like this a little longer.”

“Hehe.”

Having finally realized what’s most important in my life, I’m trying to spend as much time as possible with Yerin.

She’s right, we should probably move to the table for a proper meal, but,

“This time, ah~”

“Hmm, this is braised short ribs. Is it new?”

“Yes, I made it because you enjoyed it so much when we went to Ryu Han-gyeol’s house last time.”

“It’s delicious. Thank you, Yerin.”

I didn’t want to move; it was too comfortable lying with my head on the cushion on Yerin’s lap, being fed like this.

It reminds me of when my mother used to feed me like this a long time ago.

She would scold me for eating while lying down, saying it would upset my stomach, but she would still put food in my mouth when I opened it.

It’s strange how I’m returning to those days.

“Okay, that’s enough. I’m going to the practice room. My swing got a little too big today without me realizing it, so I need to reset my aim.”

“Okay, Oppa. I’ll prepare something else for you to eat when you come back.”

“No, that’s enough for now. I can just heat it up in the microwave.”

“Nope! I’ll take care of it here, so you just practice.”

“Okay, then please do. Thank you.”

Why didn’t I realize that being helped, no, being taken care of by someone, feels so good?

Why didn’t I realize that everything could be happy just by saying thank you for such kindness?

* * *

“Thank you, Han. Getting here… damn, it’s embarrassing, but yeah, your help was huge.”

Mike Warren, chosen to start in such a crucial game for the Seattle Mariners as they challenged the Major League’s all-time longest winning streak (previously set by Cleveland in 2017), returned to his locker looking sheepish.

After nearly being released from the LA Dodgers, where he’d played for years, he successfully started a new chapter in his pitching career after transferring to Seattle, thanks to Han Su-hyeok’s advice and his teammates’ support.

Before today’s game, he had a 3.82 ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of runs allowed per nine innings], 12 wins, 7 losses, and a 3.3 WAR [Wins Above Replacement, a comprehensive stat measuring a player’s overall contribution]. He was a solid third starter for Seattle, pitching 180.2 innings and securing a starting spot in the upcoming postseason.

“Hey, Mike, how are you feeling today?”

“Me? Great, couldn’t be better. I could probably pitch 12 innings, no problem.”

“Hehe, good. 12 innings might be a bit much. How about a 9-inning shutout, or even a perfect game? Let’s get you another watch [referring to a luxury watch often gifted for outstanding achievements] with this opportunity.”

“Good idea. I should check my account, Bruce.”

Seattle’s strong performance this season resulted from various players – homegrown talents, transfers, rookies, and veterans – uniting as one, which could have easily led to divisions.

There were several influential players, including Ryan Thibodeau, the franchise star and captain, Ty Johnson, a veteran with an impressive career, and Adam Murphy, who had a solid career with the Yankees, but,

Everyone knew that the core of it all was Han Su-hyeok.

He was performing at the highest level in the team, no, in the entire league, in both pitching and hitting. He treated all players equally, preventing cliques from forming within the team.

“Okay, here’s today’s lineup. Everyone, don’t be nervous. It’s just another game like usual.”

1st: 3rd baseman Han Su-hyeok

2nd: Center fielder Derek Fleming

3rd: Right fielder Chuck Clark

4th: Designated hitter Antonio Garcia

5th: Left fielder Jim Brown

6th: 1st baseman Rafael Osuna

7th: Catcher Bruce Matthews

8th: 2nd baseman Liam Landman

9th: Shortstop Jonathan Owens

Pitcher: Mike Warren

The players gathered around the locker room wall.

Seattle’s best lineup was almost identical to yesterday’s, except Jonathan replaced Josh at shortstop.

Determined to break the longest winning streak record, the final game of the season between Seattle and Texas began.

* * *

Paang

“Strike!”

The high outside pitch, designed to bait the batter, curved sharply and landed in the strike zone.

Mike Warren, having struck out Texas’s leadoff hitter, smiled awkwardly.

I think I understand now.

I finally understand what the coach who first taught me the knuckleball said.

‘Don’t try to control this ball. A knuckleball is like a living thing. The more you try to trap it, the more it moves as it pleases. Just throw it and accept whatever happens after it leaves your hand.’

It was easy to understand in theory, but difficult to put into practice.

The confrontation between pitcher and batter is essentially a meticulous battle of wits.

An inside pitch to counter a batter expecting an outside pitch, a breaking ball to induce a swing from a batter anticipating an inside pitch.

What’s needed is control and power to throw the ball where you want, and courage.

But the knuckleball is completely different.

It’s impossible for a pitcher to freely control a ball that shakes erratically, riding the turbulence around it as it flies.

A ball whose outcome neither the pitcher nor the batter can predict.

It’s incredibly difficult for an ordinary pitcher to throw such a ball and remain indifferent to the results.

But Mike finally did it.

Or rather, he’s doing it now.

Swoosh

“Swing!”

The batter’s bat flails at the ball, which drops unpredictably.

I laughed without realizing it.

The knuckleball can easily become a home run if it goes even slightly wrong.

Mike suddenly thought the knuckleball was similar to his life.

His life had taken a path he never imagined.

But it doesn’t matter.

In fact, it’s even better.

In his old team, some people rejected him because of his skin color or personality.

But that doesn’t exist here in Seattle.

The Mariners have only one goal:

The team’s victory and a championship.

Mike Warren knows that nothing else matters.

Mike Warren’s last start of the regular season.

Mike Warren’s sincere knuckleball fluttered and flew.

Paang

“Strike!”

* * *

While Mike Warren continued his strong pitching, allowing only 2 runs through the top of the 7th in his final appearance of the season, Seattle responded with one run thanks to a timely hit by Jonathan Owens in the bottom of the 4th, trailing 2-1.

As Han Su-hyeok stepped up to bat as Seattle’s leadoff hitter in the bottom of the 7th, the Texas dugout signaled for an intentional walk.

“Wooooooo!”

“Just compete! Tell them to compete!”

“Damn it, now we want 80 home runs! Compete! You son of a bitch!”

“Throw it down the middle! Get hit fairly!”

Fierce jeers erupted from the stands, but Han Su-hyeok remained calm.

He had already broken the single-season home run record, and it would have been stranger if they hadn’t given him an intentional walk in this situation.

“Batter to first base!”

With the opportunity for an unearned run created, Derek Fleming stepped up to the plate.

Both teams’ dugouts suddenly became busy.

The possibilities increased significantly with a runner on base who could steal, and a batter with a balance of power, precision, and speed at the plate.

Strong hit, solo steal, hit and run, or run and hit, or a sacrifice bunt.

Numerous signs were exchanged between the dugout and the players, and finally, the ball was released from the pitcher’s fingertips.

And,

Ttaak!

“It’s on! It’s on!”

“Run! Run, Han!”

Seattle chose the run and hit.

A bold gamble that relied on Han Su-hyeok’s natural stealing instincts and Derek Fleming’s bat control.

The moment Han Su-hyeok took off from first base, Derek precisely controlled his bat, hitting the two-seam fastball that was diving low and inside.

The ball, barely clearing the first baseman’s head, rolled down the foul line.

Texas’s confused right fielder chased the ball, and Han Su-hyeok sprinted relentlessly.

Passing second base, third base, and,

The base coach’s arm spun wildly, and Han Su-hyeok charged toward home plate at full speed.

The Texas Rangers’ right fielder, finally catching the ball, threw it home with all his might, but,

“Safe! Safe!”

Han Su-hyeok’s foot, in perfect condition until the end of the season, touched home plate first, tying the score at 2-2 in an instant.

It was the moment when the door to their 22nd straight win, which had been slowly closing, swung open again.

“Time!”

The intentional walk against Han Su-hyeok backfired, resulting in a game-tying run.

The embarrassed Texas bench called a timeout, and the closer, who hadn’t pitched in the last three games, came to the mound early to prevent a sweep.

With a fast runner on second base and no outs,

Seattle fans focused their attention on the next batter, Chuck Clark.

A batter who doesn’t have a huge impact but consistently fulfills his role, regardless of the situation.

Chuck Clark lived up to the fans’ expectations.

Ttaaaak!

The powerfully pulled ball sailed past the left fielder and rolled to the fence. Derek easily scored from second base, and Chuck reached second base.

Texas’s closer, brought in early to prevent a three-game losing streak, hung his head in frustration. Antonio Garcia, who had the next most home runs after Han Su-hyeok and Ty Johnson in Seattle, stepped up to the plate.

And everything ended with a resounding crack.

Ttaak!

It was Antonio Garcia’s 45th home run of the season, celebrating Seattle’s 22nd consecutive win. [End of Chapter]