Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 154

Pitcher End, Batter Start (1)

After Lee Jung-woo’s home run, Joey and Peterson kept the rally alive, putting runners on second and third. A sacrifice fly would score a run, and with Peterson’s less-than-stellar speed, a solid hit could bring in two. As the fifth batter, Popin possessed the power to deliver a long hit, creating a critical situation for the Dodgers, but that was it.

[The Dodgers are intentionally walking Popin to load first base. A strategic move, right?]

[Yes, it appears they’d rather face a weaker hitter and try for a ground ball than risk Popin’s power.]

The Dodgers’ intentional walk and the pitcher’s regained composure led to a double play, ending the Braves’ scoring opportunity in the bottom of the first inning.

Both teams scored a run in the first, setting the stage for a fierce contest.

Although the Braves missed a chance to take the lead, the intense atmosphere helped them move on quickly. The Dodgers, with their unwavering confidence in Arthur Hunter, remained steadfast.

[He connects! RBI double! The score is 2-1. The Dodgers are back in the lead!]

[And the Braves answer right back! The score is tied at 2-2! Pitcher Brian Halsey makes up for the run he allowed. That was a well-executed bunt.]

Amidst the strategic maneuvering, the players’ individual battles, often disrupting those strategies, intensified.

[The ball is launched into the air! The center fielder is racing back towards the wall but can’t reach it! The runner on second scores! The runner on first scores! Arthur Hunter is on second! Two-RBI double!]

[Wow, it’s incredible it didn’t clear the fence; it was a powerful hit. As they say, a matter of inches.]

[Indeed, Arthur Hunter seems a bit disappointed, but the Dodgers have clearly gained an advantage! But the Braves still have a chance.]

[Yes, and Lee Jung-woo is on fire today as well. Just like his first at-bat, let’s look forward to his next one.]

Arthur Hunter’s two-RBI double once again shifted the game’s momentum. Lee Jung-woo, who had been glaring at Arthur Hunter for his perceived disappointment despite the good hit, was determined to answer in his next at-bat.

“You really think you’re Arthur’s rival? No way. There are tons of guys like you. You can’t even touch Hunter’s coattails. Not in your entire career.”

Lee Jung-woo, having endured the catcher’s taunts in the first inning, was ready to demonstrate with his performance why he was being compared to such a formidable player.

The mound was still occupied by the starting pitcher, Chester Jones. Whether he had put the previous home run behind him, the pitcher showed little reaction as Lee Jung-woo stepped up to the plate.

Lee Jung-woo was about to etch his name into the pitcher’s memory once more.

With the count at two and two, the fifth pitch of the tense showdown arrived. Having learned from his earlier mistake, the pitcher threw a pitch he hadn’t shown before.

‘Too obvious.’

However, Lee Jung-woo, anticipating this, wasn’t fooled and made solid contact. It was a cutter [a type of fastball that breaks slightly], seemingly intended to induce a ground ball rather than a strikeout. Lee Jung-woo, having foreseen it, simply guided the ball along its breaking path.

*Thwack!*

With a sharp crack, the ball rocketed off the bat. The shortstop, sprinting with everything he had, stretched his glove as far as possible, but the ball tore through the webbing, bypassing the shortstop and finding the gap between the center fielder and left fielder.

[The runner on first scores! And—the batter is rounding second! Oh, oh, could this be possible?]

[The center fielder couldn’t cut it off! He retrieves the ball near the wall and throws to third base—]

While everyone watched third base with bated breath, Lee Jung-woo remained utterly confident.

‘I was faster.’

The third base umpire, after a moment of deliberation, seemed to agree and signaled.

“Safe!”

“No—what is that—”

Arthur Hunter was about to protest the call but nodded in reluctant agreement. Even he had to admit that Lee Jung-woo might have been a fraction of a second faster. Lee Jung-woo’s speed around the bases had been breathtaking.

“Wow… how are you so fast? I wish I had that kind of speed. Sigh, just when I thought we were ahead again. You’re catching up quickly; it’s a little intimidating, you know?”

“It’s still a long way to go. We’re still down by one.”

“Oh~ you really think you can catch up?”

In response to Arthur Hunter’s question, Lee Jung-woo offered a subtle smile. Arthur Hunter chuckled and remained silent.

‘Try to keep up until the end.’ His eyes conveyed the message. After a brief exchange, the two returned to their respective roles as if by unspoken agreement.

Lee Jung-woo focused on home plate, while Arthur Hunter watched the next batter, preparing for defense.

####

-They’re both insane, honestly.

-The National League teams are having all the fun. Let’s get in on it.

-In terms of bases, Lee is one base ahead, and in terms of RBIs [Runs Batted In], Hunter has one more.

-What’s clear is that they’re both incredibly competitive. Did you see the look in their eyes at third base earlier? They were both smiling, but their eyes were burning.

-In movies, the male and female leads always end up kissing after that.

-You’re out of your mind.

-That’s a ridiculously terrible comparison.

It was a thrilling game where neither team could easily pull ahead, and its high profile resulted in significant viewership. The rivalry between Lee Jung-woo and Arthur Hunter dominated discussions on baseball websites.

The fans of the two players engaged in heated debates, each arguing for their favorite’s superiority, even though the game was far from over. Others, not necessarily fans, also weighed in with their opinions.

“Lee is falling behind? Are you out of your mind? That’s nonsense.”

“Who said that crap? Lee is clearly better. They both hit home runs, but then Lee hit a triple. Arthur Hunter only hit a double. Who’s performing better?”

“That fat slob will never reach third base on his own power in his life, right?”

Of course, the home fans in the stadium reacted as if they couldn’t comprehend such arguments, unleashing harsh words that even Arthur Hunter might have found unfair.

It was an expression of unwavering faith in Lee Jung-woo, but also a manifestation of their fear of Arthur Hunter.

The Braves fans were afraid.

In a game as precarious as walking on thin ice, they feared that the monstrous player would connect again and send the ball over the fence, leading to a Braves and Lee Jung-woo defeat.

“Lee… just get one more hit, please.”

“Just one more hit, that’s all we need. Lee, you can do it, right?”

Hoping to avoid humiliation, the fans desperately wished for a miracle, but this time, Arthur Hunter struck first.

“Ah…”

Top of the 6th, runners on first and third. Another powerful hit. Arthur Hunter launched a home run.

[Arthur Hunter! He’s finally turned the game around! Three-run home run! The Dodgers are one step closer to victory!]

“Yessssss!”

“Don’t you dare compare yourself to Hunter!”

A decisive three-run shot.

It was a hit that shook off the persistently chasing Braves and Lee Jung-woo simultaneously.

The score was 7-3. Pitcher Brian Halsey hung his head, staring at the disheartening scoreboard.

It was such a thorough defeat that he couldn’t blame anyone, and he had no strength left to give.

After he was pulled from the game, another run was added.

The score was 8-3. The delicate balance had been shattered.

While a small contingent of visiting fans celebrated wildly, silence descended upon Truist Park, gradually replaced by quiet murmurs.

“It’s not over yet, it’s not over yet. How many innings are left? Five runs are nothing.”

“Lee is here, Lee. Lee will take care of it.”

“It’s nothing. Multi-home runs? Lee will hit two more than that! He’s done it before!”

The cries, now bordering on prayers, echoed throughout Truist Park, fueled by a dwindling hope.

Soon after, in the bottom of the 6th, a batter that everyone had briefly forgotten rekindled the embers of the chase.

“Joeyyyyyyyyy!”

“You beautiful bastard! That’s right, we don’t just have Lee! Unlike you Dodgers who are obsessed with Arthur Hunter! It’s not like that!”

Bottom of the 6th. A two-run home run erupted.

Joey Fredman.

The veteran who had been the Braves’ source of confidence before Lee Jung-woo bombarded the Dodgers.

After Lee Jung-woo’s routine single as the lead-off hitter, light shone on the once again hushed stadium.

“It’s not over yet! It’s not over yet!”

People refused to give up hope, shouting loudly as he crossed home plate.

Although the subsequent batters were all retired, failing to score additional runs and close the gap further.

In the end, the Braves will win. Like always.

But victory would not come easily.

In the bottom of the 7th, the attack was stifled with a three-up, three-down inning. In the bottom of the 8th, they had another opportunity with hits from Derek and Lee Jung-woo, but starting with Joey’s strikeout, who had been the hero of the bottom of the 6th, the subsequent batters were all easily dismissed.

Since the game seemed all but decided, online sentiment, in contrast to the still-passionate stadium, began to mock the Braves and Lee Jung-woo.

With the outcome seemingly clear, the criticism of the perceived loser began prematurely.

-Arthur Hunter’s complete victory.

-Lee played well, but… he can’t beat Hunter after all?

-It doesn’t make sense. How are Lee and Hunter even comparable?

-He played with him a little, and he actually thought they were similar? Idiots.

-No, in the first place, why are two hitters being compared, instead of pitcher vs. pitcher or pitcher vs. hitter?

-The Braves are acting like this now because they think Lee is going to lose. What a joke.

-It’s not over yet. In the end, our Braves will win. Remember that, you losers.

A bleak situation. But even so, the Braves fans clung to their last shred of hope. One shot, the Braves still had one shot left.

####

The Dodgers’ attack in the top of the 9th was shut down efficiently. As if declaring that it wasn’t over, Lee Jung-woo made several outstanding defensive plays, catching every ball hit his way.

The Dodgers felt uneasy at his unwavering intensity. Victory was within their grasp, but a wild beast still roamed the field.

“It starts from number 6… If we can end it before that, it’s over.”

“That relentless bastard, he’s still fighting until the very end, that damn guy.”

Even while grumbling curses, the Dodgers players didn’t assume victory. The three-run lead in the bottom of the 9th was significant, and the Braves’ batting order in the bottom of the 9th was weak, starting from number 6.

However, Arthur Hunter concealed the smile he had been wearing throughout the game. He could sense it. The unwavering determination emanating from Lee Jung-woo.

Perhaps he was the only one who felt it because he was a similar type of player, a so-called genius.

“I have a bad feeling….”

Arthur Hunter watched the stadium intently, but the Braves’ final attack seemed destined to fail.

[The 6th batter, Gary Winters, chases the ball until the end, but—he can’t make contact. He looks like he’s slamming his bat on the ground in frustration.]

[There are many young fans present, so it’s not a good example, but that’s how intense his desire to win is.]

[Ah! The 7th batter, Michael Lipton, hits it—but it’s a ground ball in front of the third baseman, and he’s out! His full-speed sprint to first base is admirable.]

After a quick change of offense and defense, the 9th inning began. Gary Winters, the lead-off hitter, was unfortunately retired on a swinging strikeout. The next hitter, Michael Lipton, only managed a weak ground ball.

The situation seemed hopeless. The tension gradually subsided.

“Everyone focus! It’s not over yet!”

Arthur Hunter, sensing a shift in momentum, shouted loudly, and the players seemed to refocus, but they couldn’t shake their complacency, and the final counterattack of this game began from there.

The 8th batter, Rollins, drew a walk. Despite the high-pressure situation, he calmly watched the pitches until the very end and walked to first base. He roared towards the dugout.

“Pinch hitter, Schultz.”

[It looks like they’re sending Schultz in as a pinch hitter.]

[Since there are two outs already, a sacrifice bunt is impossible. They’re focusing on getting on base instead.]

When a slender player walked out as a pinch hitter, the Dodgers finally realized that the Braves hadn’t given up and understood their intentions.

“Really… are you thinking of passing the baton to number 2 [Lee Jung-woo]?”

“This isn’t a postseason game; why are you being so persistent?”

“He’s not even good enough to be a starter. Just strike him out, and that’s it.”

Fear began to creep in.

One at-bat, one at-bat. As Lee Jung-woo’s turn at the plate approached, an indescribable dread slowly enveloped the Dodgers.

Finally, when Schultz reached base with a lucky Texas Leaguer [a weak hit that falls between the infield and outfield], and Derek stepped up to bat, and Lee Jung-woo entered the on-deck circle, the momentum shifted towards the Braves.

With only one at-bat remaining until the worst-case scenario, the Dodgers, feeling a sense of panic, frantically considered a pitching change. Before they could fully react, Derek made his move.

[The pitcher is wiping sweat. Intense tension fills the stadium. The battery [pitcher and catcher] is taking a long time to coordinate signs. They must have a lot on their minds.]

The first pitch, thrown after a lengthy deliberation.

The pitcher made a calculated choice, knowing it was their last chance, but the batter had other plans.

The bat swung without hesitation. The aggressive first-pitch swing, surprising even the cheering fans, made perfect contact.

[He connects! A hit that splits the left-center field! The runner on second advances to third! To home—he’s held up. You can feel the deep faith in the next batter.]

[Wow, how did the game turn like this… The Dodgers are facing the most critical moment of the game.]

All bases were loaded, completing the nightmare scenario they had envisioned.

“…”

“Ha… Fuck.”

The players, who had been celebrating victory just moments ago, watched the batter approaching the plate with trepidation.

The pitcher looked gaunt, as if he were about to collapse. The catcher clenched his jaw so hard he might break his teeth.

“Time!”

A time-out called to disrupt the flow.

The Dodgers couldn’t take it anymore and pulled the pitcher from the game. He was too dangerous an opponent for a pitcher who had already lost his composure.

A new pitcher entered the game.

Lee Jung-woo nodded as he watched him warm up. An overwhelming presence emanated from him, but in reality, Lee Jung-woo wasn’t in peak condition either.

‘Hoo… is this because I’m pushing myself too hard? It’s a little tougher than usual.’

He acted calm, but his physical state was not perfect. He felt as if he were playing a long, drawn-out extra-inning game.

‘But just one shot. That’s all I need. That’s enough.’

A level of strength that was insignificant compared to the start of the game. That was enough for Lee Jung-woo. Because everything would be decided with that one swing.

Lee Jung-woo, about to recall information about the newly arrived pitcher, cleared his mind. Perhaps due to fatigue, he couldn’t think clearly.

Thanks to his intense focus, he felt capable of hitting any pitch, regardless of his physical condition.

‘Just make contact. Follow through to the end.’

After repeating the mantra in his head, Lee Jung-woo returned to the plate. Both sides were prepared for the final showdown.

The pitcher gave Lee Jung-woo a confident look, but both knew he was nervous.

A moment of confrontation. The pitcher, exchanging signs with the catcher several times, pitched cautiously.

‘One. Only one is enough.’

Lee Jung-woo stood motionless, letting the pitches go by. He waited for the perfect opportunity.

Perhaps sensing his intent, or maybe just out of fear, the ball count continued to rise.

One strike, three balls.

If he missed one more, it would be a walk-off walk [a walk that results in the winning run]. From the pitcher’s perspective, the guillotine was hanging over his head.

That’s why Lee Jung-woo felt at ease. Because the pitch he had been waiting for was coming.

‘Come.’

A short breath.

And the pitch was thrown.

Lee Jung-woo clearly saw the ball released from the pitcher’s arm, which was coming down with an overhand delivery. He acknowledged the pitcher’s courage.

He was prepared for a walk-off walk and threw a breaking ball [a pitch that curves or drops] that was outside the strike zone. Maybe he could induce a swing and a miss.

The pitch selection was a mistake.

‘To me…’

A ball that broke downward.

Lee Jung-woo bent his upper body into a ㄱ shape [similar to the letter L]. He swung his bat, putting all his remaining strength into it. He scooped up the sharply dropping ball.

‘Did he throw a curveball [a type of breaking ball]?’

Lee Jung-woo released his bat without regret after completing his follow-through.

Because he had already done everything he could.

All that remained was to admire the batted ball.

“Do you still think I can’t even reach Hunter’s coattails? Well, I don’t think other people will think so in the future.”

“…”

It was Lee Jung-woo’s victory.

Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]

Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]

투수 끝, 타자 시작
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
Bookmark
[English Translation] Imagine a life spiraling downwards, hitting rock bottom in the most agonizing way possible. Now, picture a second chance, a clean slate to rewrite your destiny. 'Pitcher's End, Batter's Start' plunges you into the heart of this transformative journey. Witness the rebirth of a shattered soul as they trade the mound for the plate, embarking on an entirely new path filled with unexpected challenges and thrilling possibilities. Will they rise to the occasion and conquer their past, or will the weight of their previous failures hold them back? Prepare for a gripping tale of redemption, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of a brighter future.

Read Settings

not work with dark mode
Reset