Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 124

Pitcher Done, Batter Up – 123

‘Having a shortstop like that would make things easier for a pitcher. A trade is out of the question, of course. Free Agency [FA, the period when players without a contract can sign with any team] is the only option, but by then, I’ll probably be retired or washed up. What a shame. Mason’s one lucky bastard.’

Ilya Danilov savored the sight of Lee Jungwoo stepping up to the plate.

That cheeky guy who stole his splash hit.

Not that he disliked him.

It was a fair fight as enemies, and that was the result.

So, without letting his emotions get involved, he calmly thought.

‘First off, there’s no cold zone. But he does have areas he dislikes. The problem is, even if I throw it there, he sometimes hits it easily if he feels like it. And the curveball…’

Some people thought.

That Ilya, with his strong ego from the previous home run, must have had his pride hurt.

That he might try to get him out with a curveball this time.

To those people, Ilya wanted to say.

Am I crazy? Throw a curveball to that bastard? Think before you speak. He wanted to say that.

If he only threw a limited number of pitches, the chances of getting hit would be high.

But a curveball is just guaranteed to get hit. It’s not even in the realm of possibility.

The records so far told the story.

‘Curveballs are a no-go, absolutely not. Fastballs are the only option, but the problem is, he’ll read those for sure if I repeat them a few times. I need to hold out as long as possible to have any chance of winning…’

Ilya piled up his thoughts and pondered deeply.

He might look ridiculous on the outside.

But he was always serious about baseball. And always thought to create the best possible outcome.

He started baseball because he wanted to make a lot of money, gain fame, and he happened to have a natural talent for it. But no matter how much showmanship he developed or how much he created a character.

He knew better than anyone that he needed skill and results for those things he wanted so much to follow as a bonus.

So he calmly pondered. And the more he thought.

The more curses came out on their own.

‘Блять [Blyat – Russian swear word, meaning ‘whore’ or ‘fuck’], phew, what is with this guy… No, more than that, isn’t he nervous? It’s a Wild Card game, isn’t it? How can a twenty-one-year-old punk be so composed?’

Ilya looked at the batter.

Even though their proud captain had been cleanly struck out right in front of him, he didn’t seem to care.

He was looking at him without any wavering.

Like still water.

Staring intently at him, he licked his lips habitually.

Ilya stretched his mouth wide and smiled.

People thought of that as a provocation, or an expression of his confidence, or even madness.

But it was actually the opposite. He always showed that look only to dangerous guys.

It was to calm his trembling heart and.

To boost his sense of challenge.

After smiling refreshingly as usual.

The unnecessary thoughts disappeared, and his head became much cooler.

‘Alright, there’s no point in thinking about it any further. So there’s no need to drag it out.’

He rotated his shoulder once and sent a sign to the catcher.

As soon as the catcher took his stance, he quickly threw the ball.

More focused than ever.

A full-force pitch with all the power he could muster.

Everyone expected a fastball. But conversely, it was also unexpected.

“Strike!”

“He’s hitting his top speed again…”

“More importantly, Lee swung and missed, right? Wow, it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve seen that?”

“Is that what’s important right now? What’s important is that that bastard is still as good as ever.”

“97 miles? Wasn’t it faster than before?”

“Damn it, is that what’s important right now! I must have just seen it wrong!”

97 miles.

The ball that flew straight inside, like the decisive pitch he threw to Derrick, hit its top speed this time as well.

But it was definitely different from the one he threw to Derrick, who was the first batter.

Anyone with a keen eye, or anyone who was focused on the game, would be able to tell.

If the previous one created a swing and a miss with a fast speed and a high course.

In this match, Lee Jungwoo’s bat, which had clearly and quickly moved in line with the fastball, had passed under the thrown ball.

In other words, the quality of the pitch was different. And that created a difference that was enough to deceive the eye.

[Lee swings and misses! Ah, judging by how big he swung and missed… it doesn’t seem like he was just testing the waters.]

[Yes, he swung and missed. The bat turned about half a ball too low. This is what happens when you get caught by Ilya Danilov’s vertical movement. Those who have seen Ilya Danilov’s pitching often will probably be familiar with this scene.]

[That means that not only is his speed intact, but we can also assume that the quality of his pitches is also fine.]

His four-seamer, with a value beyond just speed, worked this time as well.

Under the overwhelming movement, the batter failed to touch it this time, just like in the previous match.

It bothered him a little that he still looked calm.

But since he got the result he wanted for now. Ilya didn’t hesitate to choose.

‘Good, not bad. Judging by the swing timing, it’s similar to a fastball. Which means he can follow it. In that case, I need to catch him off guard. Okay, then one more time.’

The same course.

But a slightly slower four-seamer.

Fortunately, the result was the same.

“Strike.”

[That’s bold. A fastball that’s full on the inside, with the same course as the first pitch, but with a slower speed. He really squeezed it in there.]

[He’s a brave player. Sometimes it becomes recklessness. But it worked this time.]

[Two strikes. Now it’s a showdown.]

A 93-mile four-seam fastball.

Whether he was caught off guard properly.

The batter, who had his timing stolen, only twitched his arm slightly.

He couldn’t swing his bat.

Since it was the same course as the one he threw earlier, the count was naturally a strike this time as well.

He had been driven to two strikes in an instant, so it was the batter’s turn to be pressured now.

But he was still the same.

Even though it was a Wild Card match, a do-or-die game.

‘Phew. I’ve managed to corner him for now, but what should I throw this time… No, but seriously, is he some kind of baseball robot? This is so frustrating. Seriously. Some people are breaking their heads like this, but why is that guy so relaxed?’

He was so troubled.

Seeing his opponent so calm.

He felt a surge of anger for no reason.

But using that as motivation, he increased his concentration even more.

He scanned the batter, and the data he had studied diligently came to mind.

In the batter’s zone, which was all hot, the only place that was relatively cool.

A place that wasn’t boiling hot, but just moderately warm.

There was only one.

The outside low corner.

Even if he was a monster, he was still a batter, so he was relatively weak there.

He found a course to aim for.

But Ilya hesitated.

‘If I miss, it’ll be a ball. Then I’ll just be showing the batter one more pitch for no reason. In a situation where I need to avoid being read as much as possible. Is it still okay?’

He didn’t have the control to freely plant the ball in such a precarious spot.

He could only throw it and hope desperately. And very occasionally, it would land in a similar spot.

‘That being said, if I only focus on control… the power of the fastball will decrease. Then even if he just pushes it, it’ll fly far.’

With a complicated mind, he shook his head.

For the first time, a serious expression appeared on his face.

For a moment, he was dumbfounded, and Ilya shook his head.

‘I’ve been acting like a scared dog since the first at-bat. I’m going to go all out, no matter what.’

He had been acting foolishly.

No matter how good the batter was.

Even if he was an amazing guy.

There was no reason for him to go in with a disadvantage.

Even if he didn’t show it, the pressure of the postseason had clouded his mind.

‘I wasn’t being cautious, I was scared. From just the first inning. I can’t do this. I’m a pitcher. I’m going to go according to the original plan. I’m going to go all out against you, no matter what.’

Smiling again, he stretched his body long and filled the pitch clock to the brim. He threw a pitch.

The leg that he stepped on with all his might slammed down on the mound as if to split it.

The arm that had been pulled all the way from behind rotated and shot forward.

Another full-force pitch.

It might be an excessive waste of stamina in just the Wild Card game.

But Ilya was only thinking about the game right now.

‘Rather than saving my strength and falling here. It’s better to use it all and fall from above.’

That was Ilya Danilov’s postseason philosophy.

And his blessed, strong body allowed him to show that kind of performance throughout October.

The sensation of the ball, shot out like a bullet, no, a cannonball, from his fingertips, felt electrifying.

‘I got it..!’

The four-seamer that was properly caught in his fingers flew exactly where he wanted it to go.

Slightly grazing low on the outside of the batter, a pitcher’s ultimate move that only happens with an extremely low probability.

The batter’s bat came out.

Normally, it would be a swing and a miss strikeout.

But the ball barely, just barely, grazed the end of the long bat.

[He hit it, but it’s a ground ball in front of the pitcher.]

[The course was really good.]

Ilya picked up the ground ball that rolled to him like a gleaner, bending his upper body slightly. And threw it to first base.

It was a desperate run from the batter.

But the result was naturally an out.

A clean groundout.

He had blocked the most troublesome batter with three pitches.

He should feel relieved. He should.

But Ilya frowned.

Even as he trudged off, seemingly disappointed with the infield ground ball.

The guy was nodding his head as if he understood everything.

Lee Jungwoo’s face bothered him for no reason.

####

The game progressed quickly.

The batters were suppressed by the aces and swung without being able to use their strength properly.

As a result, the time per inning itself didn’t take much time.

Rather, the time for the change of offense and defense was longer.

[The game is progressing very quickly. Both teams’ pitchers are finishing the innings in an instant.]

Hitting and getting caught.

Or just striking out.

The scenes that felt like a repeated playback of the same thing continued.

The tension created by that raised the players’ concentration to the limit.

But no one thought it would last long.

The players on the field, and even Lee Jungwoo, felt it.

‘It’s bound to break. Both sides have power and are equally nervous.’

Lee Jungwoo scanned the stiff faces of his teammates.

So far, there hadn’t been any mistakes, though it was a bit awkward.

It still felt like a ticking time bomb.

Including Lee Jungwoo himself.

‘Ideally, their side should explode first….’

Lee Jungwoo narrowed his eyes.

And walked to the shortstop position.

Hoping that they could get through this time as well.

The change of offense and defense ended quickly. The top of the 4th inning began.

It was the Giants’ turn to attack again. It was starting now.

Since the batting order had gone through one cycle.

And as he thought, the start was a little different.

After a full count battle between Mason and the leadoff hitter.

The slightly off-center ball was called a ball.

So the first runner of the game got on base.

[First runner on base. With each point being precious in this game… we need to consider the possibility of a bunt.]

[Yes, they could go for a strong hit, but. Being the postseason, we can’t rule out any strategy.]

As the commentators predicted.

The second batter lightly pushed a bunt, sending the runner to second base.

Fortunately, the batter was out.

But the runner reached second base.

“It’s okay! Just catch it!”

“Mason! Just roll it slightly towards Lee! Lee will take care of it!”

The spectators cheered him on, encouraging him, lest the pitcher’s concentration be broken. Fortunately for those fans, Mason, a seasoned pitcher, wasn’t shaken by just one walk.

[Mason Roper! Turns the batter around! Swinging strikeout! Two outs!]

[He’s experienced. Really experienced. The Giants were aiming for a sacrifice hit… but ultimately failed.]

“Wooooooo!”

“That’s what an ace is!”

“Mason! Mason!”

The spectators were relieved.

And raised the atmosphere again.

The players also took their defensive positions with more relaxed faces, but.

The mistake actually came then.

[He hit it!]

[It’s a high fly ball, so it looks like it’s going to be an outfield fly.]

A high fly ball that flew to the middle of the field.

“It’s up!”

“Since it’s two outs, a sacrifice hit won’t work.”

“Ah, I thought we were going to give up a point first and I was dying- huh?”

Because it was an easy hit that even an amateur could catch.

The spectators trusted the center fielder, Gary Winters. Because he had decent defensive skills.

He would have caught it easily under normal circumstances, but. The tension gripped him.

[He! Dropped! the Ball! Gary Winters dropped it!]

[No, it went into his glove, but he- he dropped it-]

[Runner from second scores! The Giants score the first point!]

In the end, the feared bomb went off.

Gary Winters picked up the dropped ball and threw it to second base.

The greedy hitter was caught at second base.

But Truist Park was already in despair.

“Fuuuuuuuuuck!”

“No- what is this-”

“You son of a biiiiiitch!”

An atmosphere full of loud voices.

The fans swept their faces as if they couldn’t believe it, or they glared with their eyes popping out.

They scattered beer and snacks everywhere and cursed.

‘Yeah, I had a feeling this would happen.’

Gary Winters, squatting down and clutching his head. As always, bad premonitions always come true.

In the top of the 4th inning, the Giants scored the first point due to the Braves’ error.

####

The dugout was quiet.

Only a cold silence filled the air.

Gary Winters sat alone, bowing his head like a sinner.

“Why is everyone like that? It’s just one point, one point. It’s nothing.”

Mason tried to open his mouth.

As a victim, he encouraged the players to ease the atmosphere and comforted Gary Winters, but.

He couldn’t hide his trembling eyes.

“Mason is right. Are you going to shut up like chickens with just one point? Are you still the Braves? If we give up 1 point, we just need to score 2 points. Then Mason will be the winning pitcher. And we’re going to the division series.”

“Yeah! It would be perfect if Lee and Joey hit one each. It would be safer if Peterson hit one too.”

Derek shouted, mixing in some harsh words, and the atmosphere was revived, but.

It was definitely different from before.

It was hard to put the broken ice back together.

But there was another way.

‘The bomb that was going to explode anyway has exploded. And 1 point is rather cheap. The atmosphere is ruined, but. If that’s the case, we just need to explode their bomb too.’

If this side is ruined.

Just ruin the other side too.

Lee Jungwoo, who picked up his bat, looked around at his still drooping teammates as if they were strange people, and said.

“Isn’t everyone getting ready? It looks like preparations are almost done. Aren’t you going to attack? It’s only the 4th inning?”

“Lee is right. It’s the 4th inning! There are still a lot of innings left! Come on, get your act together and grab your bats! We’re just getting started.”

With Lee Jungwoo and the head coach’s urging, the teammates raised their heads one by one.

Veterans like Derek, Joey, and Peterson also worked hard to encourage the players, and the atmosphere returned, but.

It was still a temporary measure.

‘We need to score points. Then we’ll really come to our senses. I can hit it. I’ve got the feel for it.’

He only saw three pitches in the previous at-bat, but. That was enough.

Last time they faced each other, he was swayed by the fastball-only pitching without a curveball. He even thought he would never be able to hit it.

Whether Lee Jungwoo had grown in the meantime, or the opponent had weakened.

It wasn’t that bad now.

That’s why Lee Jungwoo left the dugout with rough steps without any fear.

[Derek swings! It flies to the outfield- ah, the right fielder caught it.]

[It’s a pity, but there is still a positive element. The bat followed properly, which means he’s got the feel for it.]

[Yes, I think giving up the first point has become a catalyst.]

“Phew, the bat was pushed back a little at the end. I’m sorry, I should have at least built up a runner.”

“The opponent caught it well, the timing was good, the next at-bat will be different.”

“Haha, that’s good too. It’s good if you tie the score this time. Lee, hit one hard.”

Lee Jungwoo, who exchanged light conversations with Derek, who was coming down from the plate, nodded at the sight of the catcher’s face, which was covered in sweat under his mask, and went back to the plate.

‘As expected, it’s the pitcher’s judgment.’

He was so nervous.

He wouldn’t have boldly demanded ball combinations like in the first at-bat.

‘I’ve often heard that he’s smarter than he looks. Most hitters can just throw as requested and overwhelm them with power, so he follows the lead. That’s not wrong.’

He felt pretty good.

He was recognized as a great guy enough to make him use his expensive brain directly.

‘But that’s the end. It doesn’t matter how you use your head. I feel like I can hit anything now.’

Lee Jungwoo took a reverent batting stance. The pitcher threw the ball without hesitation, unlike when he threw each ball after much deliberation to Derek in front of him.

As expected, it was an attack again.

Lee Jungwoo moistened his dry lips as he watched the fastball packed tightly into his body once again.

‘He’s not going to drag it out.’

The pitcher wipes the sweat from his forehead.

Lee Jungwoo bounced his body once.

The opponent has applied for a fair fight, so he just needs to accept it willingly.

The ball continued to fly. This time, Lee Jungwoo swung.

The bat hit the ball.

“Foul.”

The batted ball flew straight and crossed the right line. The count was tight, but it didn’t matter.

The pitcher throws without rest. This time too, Lee Jungwoo did not hesitate.

Thwack-

The sound of hitting rang out again.

The batted ball crossed the line again, but. The distance was a little longer than before.

After shaking his head slightly.

The ball thrown while stretching his arm straight out. Lee Jungwoo hit the high fastball that pierced high.

The batted ball crossed the line and hit the top of the fence.

The distance had increased even more. This time it was a little close. It was a foul because it turned slightly at the end.

As if it was too much to keep up with the quick back-and-forth that happened in an instant.

People rolled their eyes and struggled to chase the ball.

The stadium was filled with only heavy breathing. No one could open their mouths.

And the last ball.

The pitcher threw away the playful expression he always had and gritted his teeth.

‘Outside, it’s on the edge. But…’

“Heuup-”

Lee Jungwoo, who clearly saw the ball, stretched his body flexibly and quickly took a series of movements.

The smooth gestures fit together perfectly like a mechanical device.

The end of that soft movement was.

“He hit it!”

“It’s going over!”

It was a beautiful follow-through swing.

Lee Jungwoo, who passed the bat over his head, threw the bat.

‘At least a tie.’

Lee Jungwoo lightly turned the base.

With that, all the precarious thin ice that had been hanging over the beginning of the game was broken.