Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 366

#365. World Series (4)

The second game of the World Series pitted the Seattle Mariners, vying for their first-ever title, against the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals.

Although a pitching duel was anticipated, featuring top-tier starting pitchers—more than just ‘second starters’—something felt amiss from the outset.

In the top of the first inning, Grant Dixon erased the sting of yesterday’s perfect game with a leadoff home run, crushing Ryan Thibodeau’s 101 mph fastball.

Seattle wasn’t about to concede without a fight.

Derek Fleming, leading off again, drew a walk and advanced to second on Antonio Garcia’s deep ground ball to the infield.

Then, batting third, Han Su-hyeok delivered a timely RBI single to left field, meeting the manager’s expectations and swiftly tying the score.

The two highly-regarded starting pitchers, each boasting impressive win records of 20 and 19 this season, both surrendered runs in the opening inning.

The suffering of both starters didn’t end there.

The St. Louis lineup, gaining momentum, reclaimed the lead in the top of the third when Grant Dixon walked and Travis Reed followed with a double.

Ryan Thibodeau’s expression, reflecting his determination to win, visibly darkened.

He wasn’t necessarily doing anything wrong.

It was simply that the hitters’ focus was razor-sharp that day.

*Thwack!*

As the game morphed from a pitching duel into a slugfest, both teams’ bullpens sprang into action.

In the bottom of the third, with runners on first and second and two outs, courtesy of Derek Fleming’s single and Antonio Garcia’s walk, Han Su-hyeok stepped up to the plate once more.

He blasted a two-RBI double, driving in both runners.

Seattle surged ahead again, 3-2.

From that point forward, it became a battle of nerves.

Which dugout would make the first strategic move?

How long would they keep their starters on the mound—pitchers who, while not aces [a team’s best pitcher], had performed like aces throughout the regular season?

*Thwack!*

With each crack of the bat, Manager Benjamin’s resolve and patience were tested.

An unexpected home run by the Cardinals’ ninth hitter knotted the score.

Ryan, who had already thrown 85 pitches by the fifth inning, looked bewildered, prompting the pitching coach to visit the mound in place of the manager.

“Ryan, no matter what, this inning is yours. That’s the consensus of the manager and the coaches. Can we count on you?”

“I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”

Ryan, deeply devoted to Seattle, kept his promise to the coach and himself.

As he left the mound after holding the Cardinals scoreless in the fifth, the Seattle fans rose to their feet, applauding his effort. They recognized that Ryan had given his all.

And in the bottom of the fifth, fueled by a collective desire to secure the win for Ryan, the Seattle team added another run.

*Thwack!*

– He connects! It’s a long one! It’s going, going…! Ah! The ball grazes the top of the fence and bounces back into play! The runner on second scores, and even the runner on first comes around! A two-run double by Ty Johnson extends Seattle’s lead to 5-3! Jordan East, who recorded 20 wins this season, falters after surrendering five runs through five innings!

– It’s still early, but Seattle seems to have gained an edge in the pitching strategy. Seattle’s decision to stick with Ryan in the top of the fifth paid off, while the Cardinals’ choice to rely on Jordan East, even after bringing in the bullpen [a team’s relief pitchers], ultimately backfired.

– It’s a tough contest, as expected. But that’s what makes baseball so exciting.

– Absolutely. These are the two best teams from the American and National Leagues this season, without a doubt. And the managers who guided them to the top are in the dugouts. Seattle has a slight advantage, but there are still four innings left in regulation. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.

* * *

“Damn it, those guys are really strong.”

“Yeah, Han Su-hyeok shut us down so completely yesterday that we almost forgot. We have to give them credit where it’s due. The Seattle team is our toughest opponent.”

“Ryan! It’s okay! You did great! Now trust your teammates and let them take it from here!”

5 innings, 5 strikeouts, 3 runs allowed.

It wasn’t the flawless performance that Seattle fans had hoped for, but they showered Ryan with encouragement nonetheless.

To the fans who had supported the team for so long, Ryan was like a son, a younger brother, a friend.

They understood.

They knew how hard Ryan had prepared for the game and how much he wanted to win.

[Pitcher Ryan Thibodeau leaves, Dimon Anderson Jr. enters]

After Ryan’s five-inning stint, Dimon Anderson Jr. took the mound for Seattle.

A young pitcher who is just as dedicated to the team as Ryan, doing his best in his new role in the postseason bullpen.

When he held the Cardinals scoreless in the 6th and 7th innings, the thought of “two consecutive wins” began to creep into the minds of Seattle fans.

Although he threw nearly 50 pitches in just two innings, his stamina, honed as a former starting pitcher, was still holding up.

That made Manager Benjamin’s decision all the more difficult.

The 8th and 9th innings, the two remaining defensive innings.

If Dimon could just hold on for one more inning, given the lack of a reliable setup man [a relief pitcher who typically pitches before the closer],

He could immediately bring in closer Adam Murphy [a relief pitcher who specializes in pitching the final inning of a close game to secure the win].

“Okay, let’s stick with Dimon for now.”

“Yes, Boss.”

But in the end, Benjamin’s choice proved to be a mistake.

*Thwack!*

The Cardinals hitters, determined to avoid falling behind two games to none, attacked relentlessly.

Although he was batting eighth, Jalen Thompson, who could easily be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter on another team, connected powerfully, sending the ball just over the left-field fence for a home run, instantly changing the atmosphere at T-Mobile Park.

While the flustered Seattle bench scrambled to re-evaluate the bullpen, Dimon walked the ninth hitter.

“Time! Time! Pitcher change!”

Manager Benjamin, torn between Dalvin Schwartz and Jake Howard, finally opted for Dalvin Schwartz.

A left-handed pitcher whose primary weapon was a sinker [a type of pitch that drops sharply as it reaches the plate] was brought in to avert a crisis with a runner on first and no outs.

And Grant Dixon, the Cardinals’ leadoff hitter, recalling the baseball adage of attacking the first pitch from a new pitcher, swung with full force.

*Thwack!*

Grant Dixon’s two-run home run turned the game around once again.

Seattle fans, who had been cheering for Dalvin, slumped back into their seats, covering their faces, while St. Louis fans erupted in cheers, chanting his name.

St. Louis Cardinals 6 : 5 Seattle Mariners

The two numbers on the scoreboard represented a mix of joy and sorrow for many.

* * *

*Bang!*

Kyle Shanahan, pinch-hitting [substituting for another player, typically to get a better hitter in a key situation], struck out and slammed his helmet into the dugout in frustration, but no one blamed him.

Seattle’s last chance in the bottom of the 9th inning, trailing by one run, 6-5.

Their last hope was to somehow get a runner on base and pass the baton to the team’s core hitters.

Against Trevor Nixon, the best closer in the National League, arguably in all of Major League Baseball, who was brought in to seal the victory.

Kyle Shanahan came in to pinch-hit for ninth hitter Josh Oliver, but after a tense full-count battle, he struck out.

With one out and no runners on base, Derek Fleming stepped up to the plate.

“Hey, just give up on today’s game. Let’s reset and start fresh in St. Louis.”

The Cardinals’ catcher taunted him, but Derek remained silent, focusing solely on his at-bat.

He had to get on base somehow. No matter how dominant Trevor Nixon was, the game wasn’t over yet.

If either he or Tony could get on base, they could shift the momentum.

To Han Su-hyeok, whose reputation alone made opponents nervous, and to Ty Johnson, a long-time star.

“Play!”

Derek Fleming, shutting out all distractions and focusing only on reaching base, versus Trevor Nixon, the National League’s best closer.

After a fierce 10-pitch battle, Derek Fleming emerged victorious.

“Base on balls, batter to first base.”

“Nice! That’s it!”

“Derek! You amazing bastard!”

“We can do it! It’s not over yet!”

The stands, packed with Seattle fans, and the dugout erupted in noise.

Conversely, the Cardinals’ dugout, facing a potential crisis just before victory, fell silent.

*Clang*

“Safe!”

Derek Fleming, who had successfully stolen 37 bases this season, proving his ability to run at will, tormented the pitcher by repeatedly feinting towards second.

The pitcher, his nerves already frayed, made two consecutive pick-off attempts [an attempt by the pitcher to throw to a base to catch a runner off base], but Derek simply extended his lead.

With the pick-off throw limit reached, stalling for time was no longer an option.

The Cardinals’ closer, gritting his teeth, delivered the first pitch to Antonio Garcia.

*Clang*

“Strike!”

A 102 mph fastball, perfectly placed on the outside corner of the strike zone.

But Tony, who only swung at pitches in his preferred zone, let it pass.

The pitcher, nodding calmly, threw the next pitch.

*Clang*

“Ball.”

A battle of wills between the pitcher, relentlessly attacking the same spot, and the hitter, resisting the temptation and waiting for his pitch.

*Clang*

“Ball.”

*Clang*

“Strike!”

The count reached two balls and two strikes in the tense back-and-forth.

The moment of truth had arrived.

Putting two runners on base in front of Han Su-hyeok was practically the same as conceding the game.

The pitcher knew it, and the hitter knew it too.

That the next pitch would be the deciding one.

Antonio Garcia, the second hitter for Seattle, took a deep breath to compose himself, focusing intently on the pitcher with a slightly widened strike zone.

He would hit it. He would somehow make contact and pass the baton to Han Su-hyeok.

The preparation, though brief, felt like an eternity. The white ball left the pitcher’s hand.

It was a pitch close to his body, and a strike was certain if he let it go.

“Huh!”

Antonio Garcia took a deep breath, rotating his torso while tucking his elbow tightly against his ribs.

The perfect swing to hit an inside pitch.

*Thwack!*

The bat connected with a resounding crack, sending a bullet-like hit between 1st and 2nd base.

The seated spectators leaped to their feet, and screams erupted from the crowd.

But,

*Thud*

“Out!”

*Clang*

“Out!”

Corey Nelson, considered the best second baseman in the National League, was there.

He snagged the scorching ground ball with an acrobatic play, tossing it to the shortstop, who stepped on second base to force out the lead runner before firing to 1st to complete the double play.

“Aagh!”

“Damn it! He caught it!”

“No way! This is unbelievable!”

Screams echoed throughout T-Mobile Park, and the Seattle players hung their heads in despair.

Like his childhood dream, Ryan had finally reached the grand stage.

But the glorious moment of victory he had envisioned never materialized.

Series record: 1 win, 1 loss.

The two teams, having completed their games at T-Mobile Park, now prepared for Games 3, 4, and 5 in St. Louis.