On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 218

Bang!

Jo Yang-cheol swung the bat with all his might.

The bat connected, sending the ball spinning towards third base.

The ball soared towards left field.

Left fielder Oh Jin-young’s steps were slow, almost resigned.

“Home run! It’s a home run! Jo Yang-cheol with a two-run homer! Jo Yang-cheol blasts a two-run home run in the first inning! The score is 3-0. The Scorpions are overwhelming the Goats right from the start.”

“Lee Chang-hoon’s changeup is causing him problems. It keeps floating high in the zone. At this point, he should probably shelve the changeup for today. His changeup is usually so effective, I don’t know why he’s struggling with it today. He’s been great even in the post-season, but he’s a bit disappointing today.”

“RBI [Runs Batted In] machine Jo Yang-cheol finally delivers, driving in two runs with a home run. Lee Chang-hoon gives up three runs in the first inning. Not an ideal start.”

“This is the post-season. It’s a short series, so you need to make quick decisions. If something isn’t working, you might even pull him in the first inning. Lee Chang-hoon’s overall condition doesn’t seem terrible, but he’s making too many mistakes.”

Lee Chang-hoon managed to get through the rest of the first inning without allowing any further runs.

Back on the bench, Lee Chang-hoon wiped the sweat from his brow.

“Ah, this is driving me crazy. Why am I pitching like this today?”

The Goats’ turn to bat in the bottom of the first.

Dale Jaeger, the Scorpions’ foreign pitcher, took the mound.

A left-handed fireballer.

A pitcher with a nasty slider that breaks sharply horizontally.

He was especially effective against left-handed batters.

-Out!

-Out!

-Out!

“Three strikeouts in a row! Dale Jaeger is showcasing peak form today.”

“That slider is the key. That hard slider is incredibly difficult to hit. The Goats’ left-handed batters are going to have a tough time against him today. That slider that tails away outside is difficult to throw to right-handed batters, but it’s hard for left-handed batters to lay off of it.”

Top of the second.

Lee Chang-hoon returned to the mound.

Since the second inning started with the bottom of the Scorpions’ batting order, Lee Chang-hoon only allowed one walk and kept them scoreless.

Bottom of the second, Song Seok-hyun leading off for the Goats.

Dale Jaeger threw four changeups and walked Song Seok-hyun.

“…….”

“What are you doing? Hustle up!” Catcher Gu Seung-cheol urged Song Seok-hyun to leave the batter’s box quickly.

Song Seok-hyun slowly jogged to first base, his mouth a tight line.

“He’s lonely out there. Song Seok-hyun rarely gets a chance to swing the bat.”

“Who wants to face Song Seok-hyun? He hits home runs left and right, even in Jamsil Stadium [a stadium known for being difficult to hit home runs in], no, he hits even more home runs in Jamsil. There’s no need to give him a chance in a short series where every run is crucial. Besides, the next batter is Yu Seon-ho. As a left-handed batter, Dale Jaeger’s slider can be a real weapon against him.”

Yu Seon-ho stood silently in the batter’s box.

Dale Jaeger’s first pitch was a circle changeup that darted in towards the left-handed batter’s body.

The ball flew low, then lower, digging inside.

“Ugh, really?” Yu Seon-ho glanced at catcher Gu Seung-cheol with a hint of annoyance.

Gu Seung-cheol didn’t react to Yu Seon-ho’s irritation.

The next pitch was an outside slider.

Yu Seon-ho swung.

“1-1. Dale Jaeger’s slider is still proving difficult to read.”

The next pitch was a fastball inside.

Yu Seon-ho flinched.

“1-2. Dale Jaeger’s 150km/h [approximately 93 mph] fastball buzzed in towards the batter’s body.”

“Dale Jaeger has excellent control. He’s effectively working both the inside and outside corners of the plate.”

The final pitch was an outside fastball.

Yu Seon-ho didn’t even swing, taking a called strikeout.

Yu Seon-ho trudged back to the dugout with his head down.

“Gu Seung-cheol seems to have a good understanding of Yu Seon-ho’s strengths and weaknesses, as you’d expect from a veteran. He seems to have anticipated Yu Seon-ho’s approach. Yu Seon-ho couldn’t do anything.”

“Well, they’ve been playing together for over 10 years. Gu Seung-cheol knows Yu Seon-ho better than anyone else.”

“The Goats’ concern is that they don’t have a power hitter to replace Yu Seon-ho, even when he’s struggling. At times like this, Goats fans are wishing they had just one more power prospect like Kim In-hwan or Song Seok-hyun.”

“It would be a huge success if just one of Kim In-hwan or Song Seok-hyun emerged in a single season, but this year, they’ve got two of them making a big impact. It’s greedy to ask for more than that. Yu Seon-ho also has his ups and downs, but he still managed a .300 batting average, 40 home runs, and a .500 slugging percentage [a “3-4-5″ season is considered excellent] this year. Yu Seon-ho’s strength and weakness is his ability to target specific pitches, but that seems to be working against him against opponents who know him well, like the Scorpions. Yu Seon-ho will bounce back once he makes some adjustments.”

The next batter, Choi Jae-wan, grounded into a double play after making contact with Dale Jaeger’s changeup.

The Scorpions seized the lead early in Game 2.

Unshakeable as a catcher.

The Goats’ counterattack came from an unexpected source.

They scored two runs after a walk by eighth batter Jeong Dong-gyu and three consecutive hits.

Seol Jin-il’s timely hit set the stage for a comeback.

Bottom of the fifth, the score was 3-2.

During the between-innings break, pitching coach Yeon Woo-sik called Lee Chang-hoon over.

“Chang-hoon, how’s your arm feeling?”

“Well, it’s not bad. No, it’s good. It feels good, but I made a mistake earlier.”

“Can you give us one more inning?”

“Yes, leave it to me. I can handle it.”

“Okay. Lay off the changeup today since you’re not commanding it well. Got it?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good. I’ll pull you immediately if anything goes wrong, so don’t hold back and throw as hard as you can. Okay?”

Top of the sixth. The Scorpions’ at-bat.

The leadoff hitter was ninth batter, catcher Gu Seung-cheol.

There was no need for complicated strategy when facing the ninth batter.

The first pitch was an outside fastball, foul.

Lee Chang-hoon, feeling confident, threw another fastball on the same location.

-Foul.

“Lee Chang-hoon is throwing with good velocity today. His fastball seems to have some extra life on it.”

“If it weren’t for that changeup mistake, he would have had a really good outing today. It’s a shame. But what can you do? That’s baseball. Games are often decided in a fleeting moment.”

Lee Chang-hoon struck him out swinging with a slider that broke away from the plate.

“Swinging strikeout! Lee Chang-hoon seems to be getting stronger as the innings progress, rather than tiring out.”

“The Scorpions are still dangerous. It’s only a one-run game. You never know when they’ll turn things around again. And it’s the Goats. Even one solo home run can tie the game instantly.”

The next batter was first batter Hwang Gi-deok.

Lee Chang-hoon’s first-pitch curveball dropped low, but Hwang Gi-deok grounded the ball towards second base and reached first.

As soon as Hwang Gi-deok reached first, Lee Chang-hoon immediately made two pickoff attempts, and then another.

“Boo!”

The Scorpions fans booed.

Lee Chang-hoon threw the first pitch to the next batter only after confirming that Hwang Gi-deok’s lead had been shortened.

Tadat!

As soon as Lee Chang-hoon released the ball, Hwang Gi-deok took off for second.

Hitter Kang Gyun-seung, who hadn’t received any signs from the bench, hesitated for a moment.

Yesterday, the team had decided against stealing, but now Hwang Gi-deok was even shortening his lead and attempting to steal.

Given Hwang Gi-deok’s speed, he could steal even without a big lead, but Kang Gyun-seung swung the bat to protect the runner.

Whoosh.

The bat sliced through the air.

The first pitch was a slider that broke outside.

Song Seok-hyun immediately caught the ball and fired it to second.

Chwaaaaaak!

Hwang Gi-deok dove headfirst, extending his left hand towards the base.

At the same time, the ball landed in the second baseman’s glove.

Tak.

Hwang Gi-deok’s hand touched the base just as the second baseman’s glove brushed past it.

The eyes of both teams’ fans were glued to the second base umpire’s mouth.

“…….”

The second base umpire hesitated to make a call.

It was only about a second of hesitation, but it felt like an eternity for Hwang Gi-deok and second baseman Jeong Dong-gyu.

-Out.

“Out! He’s out! Hwang Gi-deok was thrown out by Song Seok-hyun’s strong arm! Hwang Gi-deok’s baserunning gamble backfires, eliminating the Scorpions’ scoring opportunity.”

“Just now… Hwang Gi-deok was definitely fast, but Song Seok-hyun’s reaction was just as impressive. Calling for an outside slider, being aware of the fast runner, was a smart move, and the throw was incredibly accurate. But the most crucial factor was Hwang Gi-deok’s legs. Hwang Gi-deok’s baserunning seems to be a bit slower in this playoff. It’s not a significant difference, but it’s subtly slower.”

It’s said that human affairs are as unpredictable as a horse grazing near a fortress [a Korean proverb about unexpected events].

Right after Hwang Gi-deok was thrown out, Kang Gyun-seung hit a double on the very next pitch.

A booming hit to left-center that Hwang Gi-deok’s legs could have easily turned into a home run.

The Scorpions’ bench groaned.

“The Scorpions still have a chance. They have the heart of their order coming up: Jeong Dae-han, Jo Yang-cheol, and Go Won-seong. One hit here and they’ll score again.”

Jeong Dae-han stepped into the batter’s box, swinging his bat.

Lee Chang-hoon tested his opponent’s reaction with a slider on the first pitch, but Jeong Dae-han fouled it off.

“…….”

Song Seok-hyun licked his dry lips.

Genius hitter, five-tool player.

Usually, players with these nicknames often lack a standout skill.

Jeong Dae-han is a rare exception: a true five-tool player.

He hits for average and power, but he also has a great eye at the plate.

What would Yu Seon-ho look like if he sacrificed some power for more speed and agility?

Jeong Dae-han fouled off two more pitches in a row, running the count to 3-0.

Song Seok-hyun signaled for an intentional walk.

“Walk. Jeong Dae-han is intentionally walked.”

“Jeong Dae-han is remarkably composed, even though he’s still a young player. He has excellent plate discipline. I think he’ll be a cornerstone of the Scorpions franchise in the future.”

“Now Jo Yang-cheol is at the plate. He’s a hitter who thrives with runners in scoring position, an RBI machine.”

“Jo Yang-cheol has a simple swing. He’s strong and hits home runs with ease, but his swing is fundamentally sound, allowing him to get a hit in almost any situation.”

“Two outs, runners on first and second. Will Jo Yang-cheol drive in more runs?”

Song Seok-hyun signaled for a slider.

Lee Chang-hoon shook his head and gave his own sign instead.

Fastball.

Song Seok-hyun positioned his mitt outside the batter’s box.

Pat!

The ball left the pitcher’s hand and flew accurately towards the mitt.

A fastball that caught the outer edge of the strike zone.

It was a pitch that most hitters would let go before they had two strikes.

However, the batter was no ordinary player.

Tang!

The ball, barely caught on the end of the bat, shot towards right field, landed just inside the foul line, and curved sharply to the right.

Second runner Kang Gyun-seung raced home, and first runner Jeong Dae-han followed close behind.

“Seol Jin-il! Field the ball and throw it home! Home! Home! Safe! Jeong Dae-han slides in just under the tag! Jeong Dae-han showcases his speed and extends the team’s lead by two more runs. The score is 5-2. The Scorpions add two more runs in the sixth.”

“I thought he should have stopped at third base, but Jeong Dae-han just kept running. He has complete faith in his legs. Not everyone can achieve a 20-20 season [20 home runs and 20 stolen bases]. Jeong Dae-han’s legs are truly exceptional. He hits well and is incredibly fast. He’s a lucky player for the Scorpions fans.”

Jeong Dae-han jumped to his feet and let out a roar.

A three-run lead in the sixth inning.

For the Scorpions fans who had been on the edge of their seats, three runs felt like a comfortable cushion.

Lee Chang-hoon handed the ball over to Lee Baek-chan and left the mound.

Lee Baek-chan finished the sixth inning without allowing any additional runs.

Bottom of the sixth.

Right-handed relief pitcher Kim Young-ho came to the mound, replacing Dale Jaeger, who had pitched 5 innings and given up 2 runs.

“Ah, are they finally unleashing it? The Scorpions are making a bold move, bringing in relief pitcher Kim Young-ho after pulling their starting pitcher in the sixth inning. The Scorpions’ ironclad bullpen, their ‘Great Wall of China,’ seems to be fully activated.”

“A three-run lead provides a sense of security for the Scorpions’ bullpen. The Scorpions’ greatest strength is undoubtedly their bullpen. They boast six of the best relievers in the league. Kim Young-ho will handle the middle innings, and Tak Gi-deok will close out the game.”

“But the Goats are leading off this inning with Song Seok-hyun. The Goats’ offense will be looking to mount a comeback.”

Song Seok-hyun stepped into the batter’s box but walked to first without swinging once.

Scorpions manager Lee Geon-hoo, a proponent of small ball [a strategy focused on scoring runs through singles, stolen bases, and sacrifices], completely eliminated the possibility of Song Seok-hyun creating a big play.

It was a more calculated risk to face Yu Seon-ho, whom he knew intimately, than to challenge Song Seok-hyun, who was capable of hitting a home run even in the spacious confines of Jamsil Stadium.

Bang!

Bang!

Two strikes on two pitches.

Yu Seon-ho took a deep breath.

“Yu Seon-ho seems rattled by Kim Young-ho’s pitching. He’s just watched two pitches go by.”

“Kim Young-ho is a pitcher who excels at throwing a two-seamer and a splitter. Both pitches are designed to induce ground balls. You have to be careful because you can easily hit into a double play if you swing recklessly here.”

The catcher signaled for an inside pitch.

A low inside pitch with two strikes.

He was going to relentlessly attack Yu Seon-ho’s weakness: low inside pitches.

It was a strategic move that considered the possibility of a fifth game in the series, given that this was only the second game of the playoffs.

“Pitcher, third pitch.”

Kim Young-ho placed the ball near Yu Seon-ho’s knee.

When a right-handed pitcher throws a two-seamer inside to a left-handed batter, the ball moves in towards the batter and then breaks slightly away.

It’s a perfect pitch to intimidate the batter.

Yu Seon-ho lifted the ball from the bottom up, as if he had been waiting for it.

“It’s high! It’s deep! Center field fence~center field fence~~~~~.”

Hwang Gi-deok was already positioned on the warning track.

Thud.

“Caught! Yu Seon-ho’s towering fly ball didn’t clear the fence.”

“Just now, the pitch was too low and inside, making it a difficult ball to hit. Yu Seon-ho made solid contact, but it happened to fly to the center field of Jamsil Stadium, which is the deepest in the league, and a golden opportunity was wasted.”

“The Scorpions must be feeling a shiver right now. If a two-run homer had come out of that at-bat, the momentum would have shifted completely. There’s such a thing as momentum in baseball.”

Catcher Gu Seung-cheol patted his chest.

Yu Seon-ho is Yu Seon-ho.

He’s a hitter who turns his weaknesses into traps, waiting for opponents to exploit them.

He almost hit a low inside pitch to the center field fence in Jamsil Stadium.

He had underestimated Yu Seon-ho’s power, which was masked by his discerning eye at the plate.

The veteran may have slower reflexes as he gets older, but his strength doesn’t diminish easily.

The Scorpions, having weathered the storm of Yu Seon-ho’s near-home run, continued to record outs and finished the inning.