Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 116

End of Pitchers, Start of Hitters – Episode 115

After Lee Jung-woo’s bases-clearing hit,

Peterson added another hit,

Bringing Lee Jung-woo home. But unfortunately, that was it.

The pitcher, who had been off from the start, didn’t suddenly find his groove and start pitching well.

It was all thanks to the infielders’ incredible defensive plays that everyone was retired with ground balls.

Thus, the long first inning finally came to an end.

The Braves had taken the lead by scoring 4 runs right from the start.

But the faces of the Pirates’ hitters preparing for their turn at bat were calm.

“They don’t even flinch,” Rollins grumbled, sounding disappointed by the opponent’s lack of reaction. He had scored the first run of the game.

But Derek simply shrugged, as if saying, “Didn’t you already know?”

“It’s a common occurrence for them, isn’t it? It just means they’re confident they can catch up no matter how many runs they give up.”

As he said, the Pirates’ hitters silently prepared as if they were used to it. Their eyes were full of deep confidence.

Lee Jung-woo stared at them intently.

Even with a significant point difference,

Most of their faces were bright.

It was as if the score was just money in their pocket, ready to be withdrawn at any time.

In particular, Vincent Harding, the core of these players and the Pirates, was carefully handling his bat with a determined expression, instead of the fierce look he had given Lee Jung-woo earlier.

As if determined to catch up no matter what.

‘Let’s give them a taste of our defense too,’ Lee Jung-woo thought.

Because I’m always confident in defense.

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[The first game of the three-game series between the Atlanta Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates is heating up right from the start. What do you think? Commentator Jones, the Pirates gave up 4 points first; can they catch up?]

As the Pirates players slowly came out onto the field,

the commentator asked, looking down at them, and the other commentator shrugged.

[Well, the run itself wasn’t much different from what was expected. The Braves also don’t have a starting lineup that can be called overwhelmingly strong. But the Pirates are in an even more precarious position than that. Of course, a 4-point deficit is bigger than I thought…]

The commentator, who had glanced at the performance of the players listed on the Pirates’ roster, unconsciously let out a dry laugh.

However, thanks to the experience he had gained as a commentator, he didn’t cause a broadcasting accident by laughing out loud.

But a puff of air escaped his nostrils involuntarily.

[The Pirates lineup has enough firepower to catch up.]

Although all the focus is on the outstanding player Vincent Harding,

in fact, this season, all Pittsburgh Pirates hitters except the pitchers have performed outstandingly.

Even without Vincent Harding,

the destructive power of the lineup is comparable to most teams, or even superior.

But Harding is also there.

A player so great that he overshadows even those good hitters.

That’s why the commentator said that it was a disadvantageous start, but a comeback was still possible.

Of course, as a dedicated commentator for Pittsburgh, he wasn’t just thinking objectively.

Even setting aside his bias, he still thought the Pirates could do it.

[Yes, I understand that the Pirates still have a chance. So, what do you think about the Braves’ offense that we saw earlier?]

[It’s undoubtedly excellent. The Atlanta Braves, who already boasted an explosive lineup led by Joey Fredman, a 40-home run hitter, have added Lee, and it’s understandable that they are having a season like a bombing raid on the league.]

Even the commentator, who was friendly to Pittsburgh, admitted that.

The Braves are strong.

Very strong.

He was sure that even the Pirates fans who saw the Braves hitters’ performance on the broadcast screen

would be amazed, their mouths agape.

However, the performance of the “Flying Dutchman” [a nickname for Vincent Harding, referencing his exceptional athleticism], Vincent Harding, who came up next, pushed aside such admiration.

Batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, RBIs [Runs Batted In], home runs, etc. In all stats that a hitter can record except for stolen bases, he was in the top ranks, or rather, the very top ranks.

[Harding’s performance is really amazing no matter how many times you look at it.]

[He’s a player who is having a great season ahead of next year’s free agency. He’s always been great in previous seasons, but this season has transcended that greatness.]

[Yes, Vincent Harding is a player who is showing unstoppable performance.]

[The overall quality of the Braves’ lineup has improved with the addition and great performance of Jung-woo Lee. Similarly, the Pirates have also achieved a step forward as Vincent Harding has shown a more evolved form.]

The commentator, who was smiling contentedly, praised the Braves as if trying to strike a balance.

[Of course, the Braves’ pitching staff is overwhelming. Mason Looper, who transferred this season, has been playing great and has established himself as a solid ace. The starting lineup has also improved more than last season. The bullpen is still the best in the league.]

The commentator praised the Braves’ pitching staff with such words,

soon shaking his head. His expression was very firm.

In fact, when looking at the overall team strength, the Braves are better than the Pirates.

The lineups are roughly similar, but the pitching staff is much more complete. But he thought differently.

[However, no matter how complete the Braves’ pitching staff has become this season, the Pirates cannot be stopped.]

The commentator asserted.

The current pitching staff is, of course, much better than before. Frankly speaking, except for Mason, the first starter, they are still not that great.

They’re just doing their part.

However, the reason why the pitchers’ performance has improved overall compared to last year is that Lee Jung-woo’s influence on shortstop defense was significant.

There is a defensive machine that catches everything that flies. It would be strange if the performance dropped.

In fact, Lee Jung-woo’s existence was being evaluated as All-Star level just for his defensive ability to lower the overall ERA [Earned Run Average] of the pitchers.

However, such bizarre defensive power of Lee Jung-woo is irrelevant, at least when facing the Pirates.

The commentator was sure.

[Lee’s defense has improved the quality of the Braves. But this game will be different. The Pirates’ batting isn’t about singles; it’s about home runs and extra-base hits.]

Extreme fly balls.

That was the source of the current powerful Pirates.

Rather, they took advantage of the fact that the outfield was wide and defense was not easy.

The fly balls that are being hit like crazy, aiming for the outfield where landing points are unpredictable, are not something Lee Jung-woo can catch.

Because it’s ultimately the outfielder’s area.

[If the pitcher today was Mason, I would have said the Braves were at an advantage, because he’s a player with good velocity. But Brian Holsey is not. He cannot suppress the Pirates’ fly balls.]

Having good velocity,

being able to overpower the bat with the ball,

or throwing only the most difficult pitches based on control, can suppress them.

Brian Holsey was neither.

That’s why the commentator firmly believed in his thoughts. It was quite valid.

[Victor Hudson, the first batter, comes to the plate. This season, he is recording a batting average of 0.268, an on-base percentage of 0.373, a slugging percentage of 0.412, and 10 home runs.]

[He is a good hitter in the traditional sense of a table setter [a player who gets on base frequently to set up scoring opportunities for other hitters]. But he is a leadoff hitter who fits well with the modern era. Whether he can create a stepping stone for the chase will be the focus of this game.]

Victor Hudson,

a left-handed hitter and second baseman, was one of the hitters who fit well with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

As a leadoff hitter, he takes care of his on-base percentage. He also has decent slugging power that occasionally explodes with a big hit.

Because he was a player who matched the Pirates’ basic team identity.

He went into the batter’s box and watched the ball a few times.

Soon he turned his waist with all his might.

The pulled hit passed over the first baseman and rolled across the field.

Although he doesn’t steal many bases,

he boasts decent running ability and quickly stepped on first base.

“Yessssss!”

“Okay, let’s start now!”

“We gave up 4 points first, so let’s keep it safe!”

[Like the Braves, the Pirates also made a good start.]

The spectators, who were secretly unhappy even though they pretended not to be while being bombarded in the top of the first inning, shouted loudly.

It’s just the beginning.

“It’s nothing; let’s take it easy. Holsey, don’t worry too much. If you just do as usual, Lee and I will take care of everything.”

[Derek Hunt is encouraging the pitcher. Brian Holsey nods slightly.]

[He is a player who is known for his good leadership. It is a good action for a player with excellent defensive skills to encourage the pitcher, as it reduces the pitcher’s burden.]

As if mocking the commentator’s words,

Holsey, who was hit by a hit even by the second batter, seemed to be annoyed and scratched the mound floor with his shoes for no reason.

In an instant, runners on first and second.

Even if there are some differences,

this was almost similar to the Braves in the top of the first inning.

It was similar in that a monstrous hitter came up at a crucial moment.

[Vincent Harding, the third batter, comes to the plate.]

The enthusiastic cheers for Vincent Harding, who was walking up, shook the stadium—no, the entire city of Pittsburgh.

Even people who had briefly switched to other channels heard the news and turned on the game again.

People who were watching the game while taking a sip of cool alcohol temporarily put their glasses on the table.

[Braves in crisis. Can Brian Holsey overcome the obstacle of Vincent Harding?]

[Well… I’ll have to wait and see for now.]

He said that for fairness.

He thought that he would never get through it. Even in perfect condition, he was a difficult opponent.

It wasn’t a hitter that a pitcher with a slightly shaky face could stop.

And as expected,

Harding produced a massive foul ball right from the start, as people expected.

Bang-

A soaring hit.

The audience stood up.

He scattered the beer in the cup in his hand everywhere and went wild.

[Ah! Ah! It’s big, it’s big! It’s a hit that’s enough to get over the huge fence! But, it went out of the field. That’s a shame. It was a hit that would have chilled the pitcher to the bone.]

[Vincent Harding sends a huge foul home run from the first pitch. The pitcher must have been chilled to the bone. If it had gone 3 feet, no, 2 feet to the side, it would have been a home run no matter what.]

The hit that curved out of the foul line made people let out a low sigh and sit back down, but

expectations grew a little more.

Because it was proven that Harding’s power today was no different from usual.

[Vincent Harding continues to swing. He’s catching the timing.]

[He is a thorough player. He is definitely getting used to the pitcher’s timing and perfecting his hitting. He’s getting closer and closer.]

The expectations that were created in that way grew like they were about to explode as he swung continuously and gradually matched the timing.

When he finally created another foul home run and completely caught the timing,

everyone predicted a home run.

Except for one person.

‘It doesn’t go high from the beginning. It goes straight up as if it’s taking off. The angle of the hit inside the infield is not that high,’ Lee Jung-woo thought, his eyes fixed on the hitter’s bat.

All his mind was focused on one place. The concentration that had risen to the point where it couldn’t be better made his senses sensitive.

[Okay, 9th ball—Ah! He hit it! Is it going this time?]

[Yes, he hit it properly—Ah.]

The commentator, who was nodding his head, imagining a home run in his head, stopped his body like a dead person.

Clearly, the timing and power, until the last contact, the three elements were perfectly in sync. It was a really good hit.

Some crazy guy flew up.

“Aja!” [A Korean expression of excitement or encouragement]

“It’s not even surprising anymore. Good job, Lee.”

A player who jumped up like a frog with both legs and hijacked the hit that was taking off.

All the eyes in the cold stadium were focused on him.

The gazes of tens of thousands of people must have been quite stinging.

Watching Lee Jung-woo, who threw the ball indifferently, the commentator slightly moistened his parched lips with the saliva in his mouth that was still less dry.

[Anyone who has seen this catch is probably wondering why a friend like that is playing baseball and not basketball. He is Lee Jung-woo, who is raising the out count while showing unbelievable defensive power.]

[Amazing, really.]

The PD [Production Director], who was worried about the broadcasting company due to the continued silence, sent a signal, and the caster barely managed to handle the situation.

After admiring him, the commentator continued to remain silent for a while.

Really, is he even Jordan? Lee Jung-woo clearly flew for a moment just now.

If not, you can’t catch a hit like that.

Because he witnessed such defense with his own eyes, the commentator could not speak.

He hurriedly parted his lips only after the next hitter came up.

However, that didn’t last long either. Lee Jung-woo caught a big hit this time too.

It was a surprise push hit. Lee Jung-woo blocked even that.

It was Lee Jung-woo who caught the next hitter as well. He raised three out counts alone.

Lee Jung-woo walked into the dugout triumphantly. He was Lee Jung-woo, who had practically declared war on Harding in the batter’s box earlier.

It was the same in this defense. Watching him subtly give his gaze to Harding of the Pirates’ bench as he walked towards his dugout,

the commentator corrected what he had said earlier.

[Yes, Lee is telling me I was wrong. No matter how much Lee is, I said that he would not be able to have a big impact on the defense as this game will be mainly fly balls… I was wrong.]

He was wrong.

I didn’t understand how or what principle it was possible.

Anyway, the player named Lee Jung-woo is a player who can have an impact on the entire field in any game and in any situation.

And he added a new thought.

It is a pirate group that can penetrate any shield.

Maybe this game won’t be the case.

[Yes, like I said at first, the Braves pitchers won’t be able to suppress the Pirates, but Lee might be able to. It’s only one inning, but his defense was perfect.]

The first game of the confrontation between Harding and Lee. Lee Jung-woo was slowly gaining the upper hand.