The Pitcher Just Hits Home Runs Well [EN]: Chapter 316

316. Record-Breaking Machine (10)

After stepping down from the mound, Gerrit Cole approached the oxygen tank in the dugout to catch his breath.

-Sigh – Exhale

Gerrit Cole felt his mind clear in an instant. It might have been a simple placebo effect, but whenever he pitched at Coors Field, supplying himself with oxygen from the tank after each inning felt much better.

4:3

Just a one-point difference.

However, giving up three runs in four innings at Coors Field wasn’t a terrible performance. Just look at Domingo Germán. That guy has a terrible personality, but he’s so talented that he even won a Cy Young Award over Gerrit Cole himself. Yet, he allowed eight runs in just 5.1 innings.

‘Coming events cast their shadows before.’ [A proverb meaning that signs of future events can often be seen in the present.]

Until the end of the fourth inning, the Yankees hadn’t scored any additional runs except for Choi Su-won’s two two-run home runs. Nevertheless, Gerrit Cole wasn’t too anxious. Like he said, if you fart often, you’re bound to shit. The Yankees’ offense continued, and runners were piling up on base. So, eventually, something would break. So far, they had just been lucky.

Most of all, Choi Su-won.

Yes, his most reliable helper.

The Yankees’ batting order in the top of the fifth starts with the number 9 hitter. That means his chance to attack will definitely come in this inning.

Jose Trevino, the number 9 hitter, stepped up to the plate.

Until a few years ago, Jose Trevino had Gold Glove-level defensive skills, offensive power above the league average for a catcher, and the ability to come through in crucial moments as a pinch hitter. But now?

0.195/0.199/0.249

Even considering he’s a catcher.

And even considering his defense is still nearly at Gold Glove level, his batting stats were very poor. Not long ago, Gerrit Cole had a conversation with Harold, the coach, about this.

“Hey, Harold.”

“What is it now?”

“No, it’s about Jose. Is this really okay?”

“What about Jose?”

“What do you mean, ‘What about him?’ Even if we consider his batting average, his on-base percentage is barely above .200.”

“Well, Jose isn’t the type to be picky about pitches. But he still hits long balls pretty often. He has five home runs already. Besides, Jose is usually strong in scoring position. Doesn’t he have around 30 RBIs [Runs Batted In] right now?”

“That’s old news.”

“So, you’re saying we should switch to Harrison as the catcher?”

“No, he’s not much different. His batting is only slightly better, and his defense is even worse. I heard there’s a good kid in the minors these days.”

“Who? You mean Oswald? I don’t know. He’s been moving up pretty quickly, but he’s still in Somerset [Referring to the Somerset Patriots, a minor league baseball team].”

“Isn’t he like 24 years old? Then he can skip Scranton [Referring to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, another minor league baseball team] and come straight up. All our team’s catchers are batting like this. Don’t you think?”

“That’s a decision for the higher-ups. It’s not something to talk about with just one coach. Just go to the general manager. You’re Gerrit, you can do that.”

It was a useful conversation.

He was a bit prickly, but Harold must have deeply agreed with his opinion. So, if he screws up his batting even more today, then probably…

-Thwack!!!

[He hit it!! A strong hit that pierces through the 2nd and 3rd basemen!!]

[The left fielder is running quickly, but it’s too late. The batter easily reaches first base safely!!]

[Anthony Volpe, the number 1 hitter, steps up to the plate.]

[Ah, the Colorado Rockies are changing their pitcher.]

Ugh…

Should he be happy about this? Gerrit Cole smiled bitterly as he watched the catcher, who had just raised his on-base percentage back above .200 in real-time.

***

-Clang!!

[He hit it!! Anthony Volpe!! A fast hit!! All the way to the warning track in front of the left field fence!!]

[The runner on first is running quickly. Past second, all the way to third!! Meanwhile, the batter is on second!!]

“Safe!!”

[Ah, the Rockies are allowing a hit despite changing pitchers, and now there are runners on second and third with no outs. Choi Su-won, who has hit multiple home runs in today’s game, steps up to the plate.]

Runners on second and third with no outs.

He had a feeling.

Ah, they’re going to intentionally walk him.

[Currently, Choi Su-won’s slash line is 0.409/0.456/0.837. His OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging] is a whopping 1.293. This is too obvious, isn’t it?]

[Well, it’s a tough decision to intentionally walk him and load the bases, considering Tyler Beede and Aaron Judge, who follow him, are also batters you can’t ignore.]

[That’s right. What choice will the Rockies’ dugout make? They must be very confused right now.]

While walking to the plate, he made eye contact with someone in the opposing Rockies’ dugout.

[Ah, as expected. The Rockies are choosing to intentionally walk him here.]

[Bases loaded with no outs. Tyler Beede steps up to the plate.]

“Too bad. I wanted to set a new record related to home runs today. An intentional walk here.”

“……”

He handed his protective gear and gloves to the coach at first base and put on his sliding gloves, just in case. Then, as he stepped on first base again, he provoked the Rockies’ first baseman a bit.

But the Rockies’ first baseman looked so scared that he couldn’t say anything, which made him feel a bit awkward.

“Just kidding. Just kidding.”

“……”

No, he was really just kidding…

-Bang!!!!!

Tyler Beede powerfully swung at the ball. The strong hit flew straight out. Anthony Volpe at second base started running towards third slightly faster than him. He’s definitely a good runner.

Before reaching second base, he glanced at the third base coach. The signal to run was very clear. He stepped on second and headed to third. Anthony Volpe’s body was already almost at home.

Should he stop at third?

No.

The third base coach told him to run all the way home without hesitation.

-Thud!!!!

“Safe!!!!”

A bases-clearing double, driving in three runs.

Tyler Beede, on second base, wore an expression that said he had done what he was supposed to do. Of course, his slightly flushed face suggested that he was secretly thrilled and wanted to jump for joy. He had experienced it a few times before his regression. Getting intentionally walked in front of you, whether it’s to load the bases or to try for a double play, just pisses you off a bit.

He hurried back to the dugout.

Even regular stadiums usually have one or two oxygen tanks in the dugout. But Coors Field was on another level. There were five oxygen tanks. Two of them were being used by the fielders who had just stepped on home plate.

He went next to them and took a breath with the oxygen tank. He hadn’t even realized his head was a bit dizzy, but his breathing became easier and his head cleared. It was at that moment that he felt like doing both pitching and hitting in this stadium would be no easy task.

And then,

-Bang!!!!!

Aaron Judge hit a home run.

It was a two-run shot that confirmed the game would be a blowout.

[The score is 9:3 in an instant!! The Yankees score a whopping 5 runs in the top of the 5th!! But it’s not over yet. There are still 0 outs!! Austin Battle, the number 5 hitter, steps up to the plate!!]

The Colorado Rockies pitcher was replaced again.

When he thought about it, it was a bit early for them to give up. These guys had scored 8 runs in just 5.1 innings against our ace yesterday. Yes, this is Coors Field. The best makeup shop that prettifies hitters’ stats. You never know when another large number of runs might explode.

The other hitters on our team seemed to be thinking something similar to him.

“Alright, let’s focus!! There’s still a lot of game left!!”

Aaron Judge, the home run hitter who had stepped on home plate and returned to the dugout, demanded focus from his teammates who were cheering for him. Gerrit Cole nodded approvingly in the midst of all this.

The game continued.

No, to be precise, the inning continued.

Number 5 hitter with no outs.

So, for his turn to come up, at least four of the preceding six hitters had to successfully get on base. No matter how much our batting lineup was starting to heat up, considering it was the start of the lower batting order, it wouldn’t be easy… or would it?

-Clang!!!

-Whoosh!!

“Strike!! Out!!!”

-Bang!!

.

.

.

-Bang!!!

[Top of the 5th!! Two outs and bases loaded!! Choi Su-won, the number 2 hitter, steps up to the plate again!! Currently, he has 3 plate appearances, 2 at-bats, 2 hits, and 2 home runs!!! In the previous plate appearance, with runners on second and third, an intentional walk was possible, but now the bases are loaded. What choice will the Colorado Rockies’ dugout make!!]

[Ah!! They’re choosing to compete!! Well, with the score already at 10:3, a bases-loaded intentional walk is a bit of a ridiculous choice.]

[That’s right. Even if they give up a walk, giving up on the game completely would have a very negative impact on the team’s morale. This isn’t even something to think about. They have to compete no matter what.]

The pitcher, who had been changed for the third time this inning, looked at him from the mound.

He’s a young left-hander who throws a cutter. He’s the type who tries to induce ground balls with pitches that drop as low as possible to survive in Coors Field.

On the third pitch.

A mediocre, slow pitch on the outside corner.

Yes, maybe he was originally trying to throw a cutter.

Anyway, it’s a mistake.

-Bang!!!!!!

He pulled that mistake pitch very cleanly.

The left field fence.

The hit flew straight out.

This time, it was really 100%.

[It… it… it’s gone!!!]

[An out-of-the-park home run!! An enormous home run that goes completely out of the stadium!! Choi Su-won!! A 4-RBI grand slam in the top of the 5th!! So, he records his 25th home run of the season as an out-of-the-park home run!!]

[Overwhelming!! A performance that can only be described as overwhelming!! In one game, he has 8 RBIs and 3 home runs by himself through the 5th inning!! Choi Su-won is dominating the game!!]

[Top of the 5th with two outs!! The score is now 14:3. Choi Su-won hits a home run that truly seals the game.]

This time as well, Anthony Volpe, who had stepped on home plate a step ahead of him, was waiting for him.

“I told you. If it’s 100%, it’ll go over.”

“……”

Top of the 5th.

4 plate appearances, 3 at-bats, 3 hits, 3 home runs, and 1 walk.

And the game was still not over.

***

[Choi Su-won extends his hitting streak to 54 games!!]

[The bat finally explodes!! Choi Su-won!! 6 at-bats, 4 hits, 4 home runs, and 1 walk!!]

[Let’s take a look at the hitters who have recorded 4 home runs in a single Major League game!!]

[Choi Su-won instantly becomes the most likely candidate for Player of the Month!!]

[0.413/0.461/0.862. A monster whose performance can only be described as overwhelming!!]

[Even if he’s out for the season right now, he’s still the strongest MVP candidate.]

[Yankees win overwhelmingly 21:7!!]

“This is bullshit… No, honestly, Coors Field, that laundromat should be erased from the records!!”

“I’ve hated those mountain towns since forever. Damn it!! No, is this even possible? He was struggling until his last game. But suddenly he hits 4 home runs? Did he take drugs or something?”

“Doping test. We need to do a doping test.”

“Wasn’t the result from last month already out?”

“I don’t know!! Seeing him suddenly hitting home runs again, we definitely need to do a doping test.”

And Boston was ecstatic.