Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 228

Pitching Ends, Hitting Begins – 227

The game progressed slowly. Despite Lee Jung-woo getting on base in the top of the first, subsequent hits didn’t follow, preventing an early score. The opponent managed to hold them off as well.

What followed was a stark contrast to the Braves’ easy dominance over the Phillies in previous games.

[Unlike the previous matchups between the two teams, this series is seeing a rather dull tie situation. The Braves and Phillies each scored only one point in the third inning.]

[There haven’t been many hits throughout the game. The main issue is that neither team is creating clear scoring opportunities.]

As a tedious pitching duel unfolded—not the kind that makes your palms sweat with high-level play, but one born of the batters’ inability to perform—the Philly fans were, paradoxically, satisfied. At least they weren’t being helplessly crushed by the Braves as in the previous games. There was, however, one slightly irritating aspect.

[Top of the 5th, the Braves are up to bat. The batting order starts with number 9, and Jungwoo Lee is caught on camera in the on-deck circle. He was the hero of the first score in this game, wasn’t he? Two at-bats, two hits. Even in today’s game, he’s showing his usual nimble movements, making excellent contributions both offensively and defensively.]

[His defense is solid, of course, and at the plate, similar to recent games, he’s creating multi-hit games with short singles. He’s truly a versatile player. When he judges his power to be lacking, he quickly changes his style, transforming into a table-setter (a player who gets on base to set up scoring opportunities for other hitters).]

It was Lee Jung-woo, as always.

Lee Jung-woo, receiving lavish praise from the commentators, was once again grating on the nerves of the Philly fans in this game.

The difference was that, unlike before when he was smashing home runs, today he was subtly and teasingly scratching at them.

But no matter the method, the unpleasantness remained, and the eyes of the home crowd watching him narrowed.

[It must be difficult for the right fielder, and even the Phillies bench. Looking at the pitches he’s facing today, the courses are all outside the zone. Yet he’s turning them into hits. And the outfielders, wary of long hits and playing deep, are embarrassed as he continues to record hits in perfect locations.]

[You could see it as luck, or say he’s benefiting from the deep defensive line. But I’m leaning towards the latter.]

However, perhaps even more annoyed by Lee Jung-woo’s hitting than the crowd was the Phillies’ right fielder.

Between the shortstop and the right fielder, the batted balls were landing in ambiguous spots, causing him to be slightly late repeatedly. The defensive positioning was dictated by the bench, so it wasn’t his fault, yet the crowd glared at him, subtly blaming him.

‘Damn it, what do you want me to do? I’m not an Olympic sprinter, how am I supposed to catch those? They’re way out there. By the way, is Lee really losing power? It doesn’t look like he’s aiming, but the hits are strangely short…’

Forcibly ignoring the hostile gaze of the home fans, he looked at Lee Jung-woo in the on-deck circle. The cause of his unfair criticism. It seemed like his power had indeed declined recently, as the media and scouting reports suggested.

When they had met before, he had only produced powerful hits that were impossible to chase, but today, although by a narrow margin, he was at least hitting balls that could be followed.

‘The pitch selection might be working, but he definitely seems to lack power. He’s different from before. So shouldn’t we just move up? Instead of staying back like this. No, at least a normal position would be enough to catch them…’

With that thought, the right fielder continuously looked at the bench, but unfortunately, the coaching staff seemed to have different ideas. He glanced around the field and bit his lower lip at the fence, which was noticeably closer than usual.

[Starting from the pitcher’s at-bat, it’s like starting with an out, so this inning will be somewhat easier for the Phillies.]

[Oh! Derek Hunt! He’s having a very unlucky day! This time, the hit is caught by the defense, resulting in two outs in an instant! It was a well-hit ball, but the third baseman handled it perfectly. Will the Braves fail to add any points this inning as well?]

[It’s still uncertain. Although there are two outs, a batter is coming up who is one of the best at scoring runs with no runners on base this season.]

Lee Jung-woo slowly walked up from the on-deck circle, and the right fielder stared intently at him, lost in deep thought. Meanwhile, the stadium was filled with all sorts of vile curses.

Even amidst the hostility-filled atmosphere that made the commentators slightly frown, Lee Jung-woo stood firmly in the batter’s box and looked at the pitcher. As if he had no intention of dragging things out, the pitcher quickly sped up the pace, and several balls instantly passed between the mound and home plate.

[Lee is showing a very cautious approach at the plate in today’s game. The courses aren’t good, so it’s understandable that he’s hesitant as a batter.]

[Yes, but perhaps because of that, he seems to be timing the ball better. It’s a crucial moment now… It’s going to be a headache for the pitcher. He’s been quite successful in stopping the Braves’ batting lineup today, but he’s given up hits to Lee in both at-bats.]

[Although there are two outs, it’s too early to let our guard down. They already gave up a point in the third inning after letting Lee get on base. It could happen again this time.]

A decisive moment. The right fielder, who had been blankly watching the game, lost in thought, finally made a decision. Soon after, the familiar, sharp sound of a bat hitting a ball rang in his ears.

[He hit it! Jungwoo Lee! A similar course to the previous at-bats! But- the right fielder, this time! This time he catches it!]

[He pulled his position just before the hit. It doesn’t seem like it was the bench’s order, so it must have been his own judgment. And it paid off.]

[Disobeying orders is clearly a dangerous act that undermines the team’s trust, but he’s proving himself with the result.]

The right fielder smiled, looking at the dirt-stained ball filling his glove. It was a result he had created by trusting himself. And as if in reward for that,

“You should have done that sooner!”

“Great job! Fucking great job! Keep doing that!”

“I thought you were an idiot for getting hit the same way, but it was my eyes that were fucked up!”

The crowd, who had been lashing out at him, now showered him with praise, albeit still in a rough tone.

Catching Lee Jung-woo’s hit was enough to make him a hero at Citizens Bank Park. Even the pitcher turned around and gave him a thumbs-up as if to say thank you, and a satisfied smile spread across his face. He bumped gloves with his teammates and returned to the bench like a triumphant general.

Although it was a sudden situation, it was clear that he had deviated from the agreed-upon defensive position, so the eyes of the manager and coaches watching him were not so friendly, but he didn’t care.

‘I proved it with the result, what are they going to do? And it’s not like I’m a kid, major leaguers should be allowed to make their own decisions.’

He smirked and then his gaze was fixed on Lee Jung-woo, who was back at the visiting team’s bench, chatting with his teammates as if he was disappointed.

‘His power has weakened. Well, he’s human too… He’s bound to have a slump after hitting that much.’

Contrary to how frustrated and annoyed he had been until now, the ball simply nestled into his glove when he positioned himself well. It was so easy to catch. Considering that when they had met before, even if he managed to catch the ball, the force was so strong that his glove would vibrate, it was a world of difference. Gaining confidence from that, the right fielder licked his lips.

If Lee Jung-woo knew that, he would have said this.

The bait has been taken.

####

“…Well, if I were you, I would probably…”

“Thanks, Joey.”

As Lee Jung-woo finished his brief conversation with Joey and returned to his usual spot, Derek, who had been drinking water next to him, tilted his head.

“What were you talking about with Joey? Did you exchange pitcher information or something? Did you see any habits?”

“No, I just had something I wanted to ask for his opinion on. And if there were any habits, Derek would have noticed them faster than me. The difference in experience is different.”

“That’s true, but it’s a little different when the subject is you.”

Derek was satisfied that the guy who looked like a fluffy chick when he first saw him had grown into a reliable monster, and he made a satisfied expression, but soon sighed.

“Tsk, and it’s a little funny for me to brag about my career in front of you, Lee, in a situation like today. I haven’t even gotten on base in three at-bats.”

“Hey, it’s just that the opponent’s defense was good. If it was normal, three hits would be a bit of an exaggeration. I think multi-hits would have been enough.”

“If you’re going to comfort me, shouldn’t you say that all the hits were definitely hits?”

When Derek gave Lee a retort with a smirk at Lee Jung-woo, who was being honest in a strange place, Lee Jung-woo glared at Derek with a playful expression as if asking if he was serious.

“Even Derek doesn’t think the second at-bat was close to a hit, right? It was a ground ball in front of the pitcher. If I’m being generous, I could have had two hits and one unearned run in another game.”

“I have nothing to say if you only say the facts.”

Derek shrugged his shoulders because he thought it wasn’t good, and then frowned as if he was uncomfortable looking at the electronic scoreboard. The fact that he was still tied with the Phillies at 1-1 even though the game was in the second half, and the reality that the Braves had only scored one point, felt very awkward to him.

In fact, until June of last year, they used to lose most of their games.

“People are so fickle. When I see how their minds change from day to day. By the way, you said you were going to be the best bastard. There’s no sign of a home run? You should hit one at times like this. You made a big noise, but you only have two singles, no, three?”

Derek, who was amused by his changed mindset, laughed and deliberately threw a joke at Lee Jung-woo to erase his discomfort, but the reaction he got was a little different from what he expected.

He thought Lee Jung-woo would either respond with a joke as well, or say wait with a cold expression. He just looked around the ground with a strange expression.

“Did you get a feel for it?”

Derek felt a strange hope when Lee Jung-woo still only made a vague expression even when he asked him a question, and then Lee Jung-woo, who turned his gaze to him, said bluntly.

“Wait and see. I’m making one. It’s almost done.”

“Oh… I’m glad to hear that. By the way, making it… Did you have a psychological warfare with the catcher?”

“It’s similar.”

Derek just had faith in Lee Jung-woo, who kept silent after that, and soon it was the top of the 7th inning. He could tell what Lee Jung-woo was aiming for.

####

The 1-1 tie was broken in the 7th inning when the pitchers were switched. The Phillies scored one more point.

2-1. At the moment the balance was broken, the spectators let out a scream from the depths of their hearts, and they were filled with hope that they might be able to end their losing streak this time.

And then came the top of the 8th inning. The Phillies fans’ hands were wet with sweat as they watched the Braves’ attack starting with the ninth batter. It was virtually the last hurdle.

“Just get over this. Just this.”

“The next ones are all trash anyway. Just be careful of Lee, that bastard.”

“Please catch it this time too! Let’s keep the score like this until the end! We have to break our 10-game losing streak! You bastards!”

Lee Jung-woo, the biggest mountain among the last 80% of the climb to victory, felt the home fans’ agitation and adjusted his bat.

The spectators hoped that the same thing would happen until the end, as the ninth batter, the pinch hitter, was struck out with a swing, starting the same way as in the top of the 5th inning. But then things started to go wrong little by little.

[Derek Hunt finally records his first hit of the game! As if he’s hitting all the previous ones in one go, he creates a long hit that goes over the left fielder and goes to second base! A runner is created in scoring position!]

[This is the worst for the Phillies. It’s the worst. They barely managed to maintain the tie, but is this how it turns out?]

[Even if Lee hits a deep sacrifice fly here, Derek Hunt, who has excellent running ability, will immediately tie the score.]

A situation where a generous hit would tie the score. A situation where a home run could even reverse the score. Lee Jung-woo, who was entering the plate, looked around the ground slightly.

‘If they give me a course that’s even a little bit okay, I can definitely hit it over. But even if they don’t, it’s okay. The stage has already been set.’

His sense of the game and concentration were already at their peak, and that soon led to a sense of hitting. Also, his power was enough, even though he had only received bad balls so far.

Lee Jung-woo, who was observing the bustling movements of the ground, calmed his mind and stepped onto the plate. The catcher, who didn’t even look at him now, just mechanically asked the pitcher for the ball.

And the first ball was thrown. Lee Jung-woo tried to nod, but stopped himself. As expected, even if the pitcher changed, the way he dealt with himself didn’t change.

[It’s a ball again this time, right? It’s actually been a similar scene throughout this game.]

‘I shouldn’t nod. If I do, and they misunderstand it as my routine, I’ll ruin myself.’

Nodding his head and tapping the floor and helmet with his bat. His habit was a routine that was famous in the league, so most baseball fans knew it. Especially the Phillies, who had been subjected to it so often.

Lee Jung-woo, who forcibly suppressed his head from moving as expected by the opponent, grabbed his bat again and waited slowly. The most aimable ball among them.

‘They’re all shit anyway. I’ll pick the shit that smells the least among them. That’s enough.’

Lee Jung-woo glared at the pitcher with eyes like a hawk, and the pitcher, who flinched for a moment at the intense gaze, looked straight ahead as if he wouldn’t give in to Lee Jung-woo and took a stance.

And he threw a ball. Lee Jung-woo’s eyes cleared.

The prettiest shit he wanted was flying in.

‘It’s here.’

A swing that spewed out the power of his whole body. Lee Jung-woo, who pulled his bat all the way, gave a definite impact when he felt a heavy feeling in his hand.

[He hit it!]!

As the ball hit by the bat flew away, he immediately threw away his bat when he felt an empty feeling instead of a heavy one in his hand. He rushed to first base and looked at the right field line with both eyes.

And he shouted inwardly.

‘I caught it!’

The right fielder’s position was slightly different from the other outfielders, as if he was conscious of the past hits. He was slightly further forward.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s the bench’s order or the right fielder’s own judgment. The important thing is that the ball, which was so fast that it was impossible to follow due to the subtle defensive position, passed proudly over his head.

“Run!”

Lee Jung-woo urged Derek, the lead runner, with a shout from his core like the lion’s roar that the masters in martial arts novels let out, and in response, the base coaches of each base also spun their arms as if they were performing some kind of martial art.

[It’s fast! It’s fast! Amazing speed! The right fielder belatedly chases after the ball and tries to catch it-]!

[It’s a clear misjudgment! This- maybe!]!

When Lee Jung-woo reached the front of third base after passing second base, the right fielder, who had finally picked up the ball that had fallen in front of the fence and was rolling around, immediately threw it home and prayed to God with all his heart. Even though he doesn’t usually go to church.

[A showdown at home! The umpire’s decision is-]!

“Safe!”

[Safe! Jungwoo Lee! It’s an inside-the-park home run! What is this! Is he adding home runs like this! Jungwoo Lee is making his 36th home run of the season with two feet!]!

[He’s a really… amazing player. He’s an amazing player. The fans wanted a home run, and he’s making it happen like this? He’s a really unstoppable player.]!

Lee Jung-woo, who got up, dusting off the dirt, enjoyed the shocked gazes of his colleagues looking at him. He was satisfied with the tens of thousands of mouths that sighed, despaired, and poured words of hatred at him.

His impression of the situation of creating an inside-the-park home run, a two-run home run, was short.

“This is possible.”

Lee Jung-woo, who walked to the bench, leaving behind the catcher who was yelling at the umpire and selling a person with a knotty eye, entrusted his body to the dozens of people who rushed at him with a detached expression.

####

[They’re really gaining momentum. Following Lee’s two-run inside-the-park home run, the Braves are adding two more points with consecutive hits from the follow-up hitters!]!

[Haha, this is the team they used to be. They’re finally playing a familiar game!]!

Whether it was because Lee Jung-woo’s come-from-behind home run was the trigger, the Braves’ attack, which had been blocked throughout the game, was unblocked. Watching the score change quickly, the spectators were simply frustrated.

Because their dream was broken again today.

After the Braves’ big inning was completed with a massive score of 6 points, Derek suddenly asked Joey while preparing for a change of defense.

“By the way, Joey, what did you talk about with Lee earlier? No, what did you say that made him do such a crazy thing?”

Joey, who had talked to Lee Jung-woo earlier. Derek was naturally curious because Lee Jung-woo had committed a shocking act after that. Joey shook his head as if it was nothing to his question.

“Lee just asked me something, so I answered him.”

“What did you ask?”

“A slugger who has played about 100 games in the league has a drop in the distance of his hits and home run pace in recent games. And if he only hits singles in the game that day. What do you think as a right fielder? I told him I would think that my stamina was running out.”

Joey glanced at Derek, who was stunned by his words, and smiled faintly as if he understood everything.

“Creepy, right?”

Derek nodded at his words, looked alternately at Joey, the right fielder of the Braves, and the right fielder of the Phillies, who was sitting on the dugout bench on the opposite side, and then looked at Lee Jung-woo, who was preparing to go out to the ground.

“Huh, people call him a monster, and he’s really become a monster.”

“Let’s quietly bury it as a secret between us. If the spectators here also know this, they might really shoot Lee with a gun. We’ll get hit together next to him.”

With Lee Jung-woo’s grand fishing and the uniquely made 36th home run of the season, the Braves maintained their lead and took the victory of the game. Just like they always have.