Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 268

268. The Moment We’ve Been Waiting For (2)

Top of the 3rd inning.

Jung Min-woo remained on the mound for the Jaguars.

He had pitched well through the 2nd inning, and facing the bottom of the batting order, he seemed more relaxed.

Thump!

Thump!

While Jung Min-woo’s control and power weren’t perfect today,

they were sufficient to handle a lineup missing most of its starters.

Tick!

“Out!”

Ultimately, he prevented any runs from scoring in the 3rd inning.

Following that, the Jaguars’ offense took their turn in the bottom of the 3rd.

The Jaguars’ batters tried their best to close the gap by even a single point.

Clack!

A hit raised expectations for the first score,

Tick!

“Out!”

Thump!

“Out!”

But the subsequent batters failed to get a hit, and the inning ended scoreless.

As the bottom of the 3rd inning concluded, the score remained 0-0.

-The spectators here at the stadium must be curious about the Buffaloes’ game.

-The Buffaloes are also still leading 1-0. Although the Pelicans have a chance to come back, it would be more comforting for the Jaguars to win on their own merit.

-Some pitchers are warming up lightly in the Jaguars’ bullpen [an area where relief pitchers prepare to enter the game].

-Jung Min-woo is performing decently, so there’s no immediate need to replace him. But if he shows any signs of weakening, they’ll likely make a change.

-The Jaguars need to score the first point quickly to ease the tension.

The game continued into the 4th inning.

Thump!

Thump!

Jung Min-woo continued pitching, following Han Gyo-jin’s lead.

Clack!

Just when he seemed to be in trouble after allowing a hit,

Han Gyo-jin’s quick thinking saved the situation.

As the runner on first base attempted to steal second, Han Gyo-jin caught the ball and threw it directly to second.

Second baseman Seo Seong-min caught the ball and easily tagged the runner.

The play was so smooth that the outcome was obvious even before the umpire’s call.

“Out!”

-The runner is easily out. Han Gyo-jin’s throwing power and accuracy are truly impressive.

-Han Gyo-jin shouldn’t be making plays like that while wearing the catcher’s mask. Opposing teams will definitely study how to steal the pitcher’s timing, or else they’ll have no chance.

-Since he’s not a regular starter, he must have wanted to showcase his strength when he got the opportunity. For Han Gyo-jin to be wearing the opposing team’s catcher’s mask in a game he’s playing in after a long time, it seems luck wasn’t on his side.

In the 5th inning, Jung Min-woo maintained his composure and finished the inning without allowing any runs.

On the other hand, the Jaguars’ batters seemed to grow more impatient as the innings progressed, failing to make solid contact.

Even as the bottom of the 5th inning ended, the score remained unchanged at 0-0.

Top of the 6th inning.

Jung Min-woo returned to the mound.

-Jung Min-woo is pitching in the 6th inning as well.

-He’s held them scoreless for 5 innings. It’s fair to say he’s exceeded expectations for Jung Min-woo in today’s game.

-Which makes it even more disappointing that the Jaguars’ offense isn’t producing.

The first batter he faced in the inning was the cleanup hitter, Na Jun-ho.

-Na Jun-ho hasn’t hit a home run in his previous two at-bats.

-Even if he doesn’t hit a home run this time, there’s a good chance Na Jun-ho will be substituted. Recording 30 home runs is important, but he also needs to conserve his stamina for the upcoming Wild Card game [a playoff game to determine who advances in the postseason].

-Will Na Jun-ho hit the home run he’s been waiting for in what might be his last at-bat of the regular season?

Tension was visible on Na Jun-ho’s face during this at-bat.

Jung Min-woo carefully exchanged signals with Han Gyo-jin.

Then, he threw the ball with everything he had.

Thump!

“Ball!”

Thump!

“Ball!”

Since the pitches were far outside the strike zone, Na Jun-ho remained patient.

-Jung Min-woo seems to be putting a lot of effort into his pitches.

-He’s the batter he needs to be most careful of today. He needs to give it his all until the very end.

Jung Min-woo took a few deep breaths before returning to the pitcher’s plate.

Han Gyo-jin carefully signaled.

Jung Min-woo nodded and started his windup again with renewed energy.

The fastball left his hand and headed towards the strike zone.

This time, Na Jun-ho swung his bat without hesitation, as if he had been anticipating it.

Clack!

The ball rocketed off Na Jun-ho’s bat and soared into the sky.

“Oooooh!”

The Dragons’ fans in the stands stood up simultaneously, watching the ball’s trajectory.

Center fielder Donald Watson and the right fielder quickly tracked the ball, but in the end,

the ball cleared the fence.

“Home run!”

“Waaaaah-”

A tremendous roar erupted from the Dragons’ stands.

Confirming the home run, Na Jun-ho raised his right hand and celebrated reaching 30 home runs for the first time in his career.

-Finally, Na Jun-ho hits his 30th home run since his debut!

-It’s amazing that he’s reached 30 home runs for the first time. I’m also curious how he can perform so well as he gets older.

-He’s clearly proving this season that the Dragons’ free agent [FA] contract wasn’t a mistake.

-It’s clear that the saying that 15 billion won [approximately $11.5 million USD] isn’t a waste of money didn’t come from nowhere.

“Na Jun-ho! Na Jun-ho! Na Jun-ho!”

The Dragons’ fans celebrated Na Jun-ho’s 30 home runs with enthusiastic cheers.

Shortly after, when Na Jun-ho touched home plate, the scoreboard changed to 1-0.

Jung Min-woo, on the mound, couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Na Jun-ho, having finally achieved 30 home runs, was immediately substituted.

With the Jaguars now trailing, the fans’ attention shifted to the game between the Buffaloes and the Pelicans.

At the same time, new information arrived.

-But in this situation, another important piece of news has come in.

-It doesn’t seem like pleasant news for the Jaguars’ fans.

-Buffaloes’ Park Seong-ju has hit consecutive home runs! The Buffaloes, playing the Pelicans, are leading 2-0 thanks to Park Seong-ju’s two home runs.

-Wow, that’s really amazing. Right after 40 home runs, he immediately hit 41. He’s hitting two home runs in an important game.

-If the two games end like this, the Buffaloes will become the regular season champions.

-We really can’t let our guard down until the final out of today’s game.

└Park Seong-ju 40th, 41st consecutive home runs!! Insane!

└Good, good! Thank you, Na Jun-ho! Let’s go for the Buffaloes’ come-from-behind victory!!!

└Could it really be overturned?

└Shouldn’t they change the pitcher at this point?

└Jung Min-woo really pitched well, but that last home run is such a shame ㅠ

Seo Jin-woong, the Jaguars’ pitching coach, emerged from the dugout.

Simultaneously, Han Gyo-jin removed his mask and headed to the mound.

The three men conferred on the mound.

Meanwhile, a buzz rippled through the Jaguars’ stands.

Michael Scott, holding his glove, was walking towards the bullpen.

-Uh? Oh! Michael Scott is leaving the dugout and heading to the bullpen. What’s going on?

-There’s no reason why Scott can’t pitch today, but I don’t think he’ll pitch without sufficient rest.

-Then, is it to put pressure on the opposing team by simply showing him warming up?

-That’s very likely. If not, it might also be to send a message to the Jaguars’ players to give it their all until the end.

-Today’s game is full of surprises. I’m really curious how it will end.

After the pitching coach left the mound, the game resumed.

The next batter stepped up to the plate.

Jung Min-woo threw the ball with the last of his strength.

Thump!

Whoosh-

After making the batter swing at a breaking ball,

he put everything he had left into a fastball in the strike zone.

Tick!

Perhaps thanks to Jung Min-woo’s final effort, the batter’s bat couldn’t handle the force.

In the end,

Thump!

“Strike out!”

He sent the batter back to the dugout with a 149 km/h [approximately 93 mph] fastball, his fastest of the game.

It was the first out of the inning.

At the same time, Coach Seo Jin-woong walked out of the dugout again.

This time, he headed to the mound, receiving a new ball from the umpire.

-It seems like the Jaguars are planning to change pitchers now.

-Today, Jung Min-woo pitched really well, allowing only 1 run in 5.1 innings. He’s done his part in an important game and is coming off the mound.

-It would have been perfect if not for the home run he gave up to Na Jun-ho.

-Of course, he must feel regret. But there are still 4 innings left for the Jaguars to score. If they focus and attack in the remaining game, they can definitely turn it around.

-It’s crucial for the next pitchers to prevent any further runs.

At that moment, the pitcher emerging from the bullpen door was none other than Michael Scott.

As this unexpected situation unfolded, the Jaguars’ fans erupted in excitement.

“Waaaaah-”

“Scott! Scott! Scott!”

Michael Scott, heading to the mound, flashed a wide smile and bumped gloves with Jung Min-woo, who was walking off.

-Huh? Oh! But what’s happening right now? The pitcher coming out of the bullpen is Michael Scott!

-Wow, they’re bringing Scott in. Are the Jaguars really gambling?

-Should we see this as an intention to finish the remaining game with Michael Scott?

-How much he can throw will depend on his physical condition. This doesn’t seem like a move to simply cover 1 inning. I think they’re planning for him to pitch at least 2 innings.

-Scott hasn’t had enough rest after his last start. Is there a reason for this decision?

-He recorded 19 wins until the last game. It seems like they’re trying to give him a chance to win his 20th win by winning today’s game.

-I see. Will Michael Scott secure both the Jaguars’ regular season victory and his 20th win in today’s game?

└The Jaguars are really going for it. I didn’t even expect them to put Michael Scott on the mound here.

└Isn’t it going to backfire since he suddenly came on?

└Wouldn’t they have discussed it in advance before the game started? I don’t think they decided suddenly.

└Let’s win today no matter what!! It’s too bad to lose the championship after coming this far.

└20 wins and the championship! Scott, I’m counting on you!!

Thump!

151km/h [approximately 94 mph]!

Thump!

153km/h [approximately 95 mph]!

Thump!

154km/h [approximately 96 mph]!

-Scott’s pitches are still terrifying even without enough rest.

-Now that the Dragons have even replaced Na Jun-ho, all the starting-level players have left the batting lineup. He’ll probably have a little more room to work.

Thump!

Scott finished his warm-up pitches with a bright smile.

Meanwhile, the Dragons’ batter approached the plate.

“Play ball!”

The moment the umpire’s call rang out, Scott’s eyes sharpened.

Scott checked the sign from Han Gyo-jin and nodded.

And he began his windup.