Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 105

Villain on the Mound – Episode 105

Top of the 7th inning.

Ha-sung returned to the mound.

He had already thrown 70 pitches, but Ha-sung looked calm and collected.

[It’s amazing how Jung Ha-sung is pitching so perfectly in his first year as a starter!]

[I never thought he would be this good.]

It was a performance no one expected.

Ha-sung’s exhibition game performance had been terrible.

Yet here he was, delivering a stellar performance in the opening game.

Oakland fans were glued to their seats.

‘It’s already past the 7th inning. No one’s leaving.’

A baseball game typically lasts two to three hours.

Spectators often leave their seats during the game, but not today.

That meant the game was exceptionally engaging.

More than anything, the game was moving quickly; it was only an hour and a half into the 7th inning.

‘The game is being decided quickly, speeding up the pace. As the game gets faster, the audience becomes more immersed.’

Of course, Felix Hernandez’s excellent pitching also contributed.

If Felix had given up a lot of runs, the game would have naturally dragged on.

In any case, the two pitchers’ tremendous duel was captivating the audience.

‘He’s keeping his word.’

It was just the opening game.

But his performance was tremendous.

Chris remembered what Ha-sung had said.

(My physical condition is back. I didn’t need that last game.)

Even then, he hadn’t fully believed Ha-sung.

Despite his confidence and the assurances of those around him, Chris had harbored some doubts.

But Ha-sung’s pitching today was nothing short of amazing.

Pow-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

“Wow!!”

“You crazy genius!! Perfect even in the 7th inning!”

“Jung Ha-sung, you’re the best!!”

Ha-sung’s strikeout count rose to 14 as he struck out two of the three batters in the 7th inning.

His incredible performance continued.

‘If he keeps performing like this this season…’

Chris wondered what would happen if Ha-sung maintained this level of play.

‘Another superstar will emerge in the Major League.’

Ha-sung’s name would resonate across the United States.

Like a powerful typhoon.

* * *

7 innings, 14 strikeouts, perfect.

Ha-sung’s pitching, allowing no runners on base, was remarkable.

Even with over 80 pitches in the 7th inning, Ha-sung was still throwing balls over 100 miles per hour.

Netizens were going wild.

-What the hell?

-How can he throw 100 mph after more than 80 pitches?

-Wasn’t 100 mph his top speed as a closer?

-No way, lol, this doesn’t make sense.

-So, the bulk-up wasn’t for nothing.

-How did he build such stamina?

-What happened in the off-season?

-Is this kimchi [fermented Korean cabbage] power?

-Maybe it’s garlic power…

American netizens were also reacting with enthusiasm.

They were even mentioning famous Korean foods, showing how mysterious his performance was.

On the other hand, anti-fans were out in force in Korea.

-No runs even in the 7th inning.

-Is he on drugs or something?

-Perfect game is going to fail anyway.

-I agree.

-If no score is made, the game doesn’t end even if the pitcher throws a 9-inning perfect game, right?

-A great record is about to disappear, lol.

-It’s your fault for joining a weak team.

They mocked Ha-sung while cursing the Athletics’ lineup for failing to score.

Of course, this was just a vocal minority.

However, it was enough to sour the atmosphere of the online community.

-The trolls are amazing.

-Ah-! What is the Athletics’ lineup doing?

-A real water line [referring to a weak offensive lineup].

-Hey, King is also pitching well today.

-True. King also has a no-hitter going.

-It’s the first time a no-hit pitcher hasn’t received this much attention.

-The opponent is pitching a perfect game, so there’s no choice, lol.

King Felix Hernandez was also putting on a great performance.

He had allowed only one walk, otherwise, no runners had reached base.

He was on track for a no-hitter.

If Ha-sung wasn’t pitching a perfect game, his performance would have been the center of attention.

But because Ha-sung was on the verge of perfection, it was overshadowed.

-Perfect game or whatever, it’s useless if you don’t score?

Anti-fans continued to snipe at fans who dared to be optimistic.

That’s when it happened.

Clang!!

[He hits it!! A well-struck ball gets past the infield!! Jack reaches first base, and Felix Hernandez’s no-hitter is broken!!]

Jack, batting second, got a hit.

[Jack, who played with Jung Ha-sung in Double A [minor league level], is helping Jung Ha-sung in the Majors!]

[Jack gets a hit in his third at-bat! And Arnold is up next!!]

The camera focused on Arnold as he stepped up to the plate.

[Arnold had a great season last year, didn’t he?]

[That’s right. He’s a power hitter, batting .282 with 20 home runs in his first Major League season.]

The Seattle Mariners manager came to the mound as Arnold approached the plate.

The game was briefly paused.

[The manager is visiting the mound even though he hasn’t given up a single point yet.]

[Data shows that pitchers in the middle of a no-hitter or perfect game often give up their first hit after the mound visit.]

[Also, today’s game is a 1-point game, right?]

[That’s right. It’s already past the 7th inning. And the opponent is Jung Ha-sung. It’s hard to score against him under any circumstances. It’s likely to be a 1-point game, so he’s trying to calm Hernandez down.]

There was no pitching change.

It was understandable.

He had only given up one hit.

And it wasn’t a scoring position.

He had thrown a lot of pitches, but not over 100.

No manager would replace their ace in this situation.

[The game will resume. Let’s see what happens next.]

With the umpire’s call, Ha-sung in the dugout looked at the field.

‘We have to score here.’

It was a crucial moment.

Arnold calmly watched Hernandez’s pitches.

Whack!

“Ball!”

Ignoring the decoy ball.

Clang!!

“Foul!!”

He swung aggressively when he saw his pitch.

Hernandez’s ball still had power.

He gave up one hit, but he was still “King” for a reason.

[The count is two balls and two strikes. Felix Hernandez throws his 5th pitch!]

Hernandez glanced at Jack on first base and took a slide step [a quick, short step towards the plate to hold the runner].

At that moment.

Tadat-!!

Jack took off.

‘Tsk!’

Distracted, Hernandez couldn’t get a good grip on the ball.

Swaeaeaeak-!!

The ball left his hand with diminished power.

Arnold didn’t miss it.

Whoong-!!

The bat wrapped around the ball like a hawk seizing its prey.

Clang!!

[He hits it!! And this ball is!!]

The camera followed the ball as it sailed over the right fence.

[It’s gone!! Arnold hits a two-run home run!! Finally, the numbers on the scoreboard change!!]

Arnold’s two-run home run exploded.

* * *

Score 2 to 0.

The Athletics now had a lead they could potentially hold.

[Only 6 outs left!! The End Jung Ha-sung is back on the mound to finish the game!]

[Wow-! Can we see “The End” [Ha-sung’s nickname as a closer] even after he switched to a starter?]

Fans watching the broadcast were excited by the caster and commentator’s banter.

-If “The End” is impossible as a closer, he can do it as a starter, lol.

-Where did the people who said he’d have to change his nickname go?

-Did all the people who said they couldn’t score and the perfect game wouldn’t happen disappear?

-These guys always disappear when things don’t go their way.

-Post their screenshots.

-The bulk-up wasn’t a failure, lol.

-It’s really amazing.

Fans’ expectations were soaring again.

And Ha-sung delivered a powerful performance in the 8th inning, retiring the Mariners’ batters.

Pow-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Jung Ha-sung strikes out the first batter in just 5 pitches! Records his 15th strikeout!]

[He still has plenty of pitches left with 86 pitches!]

After getting the first out.

Clang!

[The ball goes high! The second baseman calls for it and makes the catch! Two outs!!]

[He’s now thrown exactly 90 pitches.]

The second out was recorded.

4 outs left.

Ha-sung threw his 91st pitch against the third batter.

“Hup!!”

Swaeaeaeak!!

Clang!!

[He hits it!! A well-hit ball!!]

The ball, pushed from the first pitch, flew down the first base line.

A ball that could easily be a hit.

At that moment, Jack dove.

Thud!!

[Ah-! Jack catches it with a diving play! Perfect defense! He gets up and steps on the base himself to get the third out!!]

[An incredible play! It was a hit, but Jack’s amazing defense protects Jung Ha-sung’s record!!]

Ha-sung sighed in relief and looked at Jack.

Jack approached, tapped Ha-sung’s chest, and said.

“Were you nervous too?”

“Of course, you idiot. Thanks for catching it.”

“If you’re thankful, buy me a drink later.”

Ha-sung smiled and headed to the dugout.

Oakland fans greeted him with a standing ovation as he entered.

* * *

Only 3 outs left.

[Top of the 9th inning! Jung Ha-sung is on the mound to get the final three outs!

Fans filling the Oakland Coliseum are all standing and applauding!]

All the fans were standing and applauding.

The applause was for one person.

It was pouring down on Ha-sung as he stood on the mound.

Ha-sung faced the first batter with the support of the fans.

“Hup!!”

Swaeaeaeak!!

Pow!!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Strikeout in three pitches!! Jung Ha-sung strikes out the first batter in three pitches! Records his 16th strikeout!!]

[The last ball still had power, clocked at 100 miles!!]

Ha-sung was still throwing at 100 mph in the 9th inning.

It was a truly amazing performance.

And it continued.

Pow!!

“Strike!”

[The first pitch against Suzuki Ichiro is a 98-mile fastball!]

Clang!!

“Foul!!”

[He hits the 2nd ball, an 88-mile high-speed slider, but it goes foul.]

Ha-sung, with a favorable count of two strikes, threw his 3rd pitch.

“Hup!!”

[3rd pitch thrown!!]

The ball left his hand with incredible speed.

Ichiro swung his bat, determined to make contact.

But the ball seemed to stop in mid-air.

‘Damn it…!’

Whoong!

The bat cut through the air.

Thud!

The ball landed in the mitt.

“Swing! Strike out!!”

[Ah-! Jung Ha-sung surprises everyone with his first changeup of the season!]

[He’s an amazing player! How can he choose to throw a changeup at this moment?]

A change of pace.

It was a pitch that lived up to its name.

[Only one out left!]

Ha-sung gathered his strength for the final out.

Swaeaeaeak-!!

Pow!

“Strike!!”

[A 99-mile fastball that hits the batter inside!!]

Pow!!

Whoong!

“Swing! Strike! Two!!”

[The batter misses the high fastball! The speed is 100 miles!!]

Ha-sung, with two strikes, took a deep breath.

“Whoo…”

And he threw the ball with a fast tempo.

“Hup!!”

Swaeaeaeak-!!

The ball exquisitely landed in the outside low corner.

Pow!!

The ball was caught in the mitt.

“Strike! Batter out!!”

A strikeout was called.

[Strikeout in three pitches!! Jung Ha-sung finishes the 9th inning with just 9 pitches!! He achieves a historic perfect game along with his first flawless inning of the season!!]

It was the moment he achieved a perfect game.