Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 177

Villain on the Mound – Episode 177

[Hello, baseball fans across the nation?!]

World Series Game 4.

The broadcast began in Korea.

The viewership increased even more than the first game, surpassing 40 percent.

The broadcasting station staff couldn’t hide their smiles.

“To exceed 40 percent viewership from the beginning of the broadcast.”

“This is the first time since the early 2000s.”

“I know, right? I can’t even guess what the peak viewership will be.”

TV viewership was declining day by day.

Sports viewership, in particular, was so dismal that it barely maintained single-digit ratings.

Of course, it was a different story if a Korean player appeared, but even so, 40 percent was an abnormal figure.

The peak viewership for Game 1 of the World Series was 44 percent, so it reached a similar figure right from the start.

“It seems the aftermath of Game 1 was significant.”

“He single-handedly achieved both the winning pitcher title and the game-winning RBI [Runs Batted In, a statistic crediting a batter for runs scored as a result of their hit], so I guess people were curious about what kind of performance he would deliver.”

“It would have been even better if today’s game was played under National League rules.”

“I agree.”

Hasung’s victory was no longer surprising.

He was definitely a pitcher on another level, and he had already proven it multiple times.

The overwhelming expectation was that he would win Game 4 as well.

However, that alone couldn’t fully satisfy what the viewers wanted.

But Hasung showed more than that in the World Series, making viewers sit in front of the TV.

“I wish Hasung would leave Oakland and go to the National League.”

“Haha! I really hope that happens. If he plays as a hitter during his starts, more viewers will watch.”

Even in Korea, no one thought Hasung would stay in Oakland.

His value was skyrocketing.

The prevailing opinion was that it would be impossible for Oakland to afford that cost.

“Whatever happens, the best thing for us is for Jung Hasung to continue to succeed.”

“That’s right. Thanks to Jung Hasung’s performance, it seems like advertisements will be non-stop for the time being.”

From the broadcasting station’s perspective, Hasung’s performance was nothing but welcome.

“The game is starting.”

At that moment, Hasung was caught on camera, having finished his pitching preparations.

* * *

Game 4 was a game that could be a turning point in the World Series.

If the Giants won, the series would be tied, and if the Athletics won, they could completely dominate the series.

Therefore, the content of Hasung’s pitching was important.

[Jung Hasung is facing Buster Posey, the first batter.]

[The showdown between Buster Posey, who saved the Giants from the brink, and untouchable pitcher Jung Hasung. I’m already looking forward to it.]

Posey’s status was different from Game 1.

He was receiving tremendous support from San Francisco citizens as the hero who saved the Giants from the brink.

But this was Oakland.

“Jung Hasung! You’re the best!!”

“Finish off the Giants here!”

“Let’s go win the World Series!!”

With the enthusiastic support of Oakland citizens, Hasung exchanged signs with Trevor.

‘Throw the first pitch hard inside.’

Hasung, nodding at Trevor’s lead, went into his windup.

[Jung Hasung, windup!]

Buster Posey watched Hasung and adjusted his timing.

‘His first pitch is likely to be a fastball.’

Hasung’s fastball rate on the first pitch is 72 percent.

This was a very high figure, overwhelmingly higher compared to other fireballers.

Therefore, Buster Posey easily grasped the image of the first pitch.

If a major league-level hitter anticipates what pitch is coming, it’s easy to hit it.

But.

“Gasp!!”

[1st pitch thrown!]

Whoosh-!!

If the speed of that ball exceeds 100 miles per hour, it’s a different story.

Swoosh-!!

Whack!

“Strike!!”

[First pitch, swing and a miss! Posey’s bat swings at a 101 mph fastball that cuts inside!]

[Judging by the swing timing, it seemed like he was aiming for the fastball. But the power of the ball was greater.]

Hasung started to overwhelm Posey from the first pitch, throwing a ball exceeding 100 mph.

Clack-!!

“Foul!!”

[He barely touched the ball, but it becomes a foul!]

[Jung Hasung seems to be in good condition.]

[It’s truly a pitching performance that makes you involuntarily say he’s amazing!]

Hasung, having gained an advantageous count with two strikes, threw the 3rd pitch.

As the ball left his hand and flew sharply, Posey reflexively swung his bat.

At that moment.

Whoosh!

The ball disappeared from his sight, and the bat missed its target, cutting through the air.

Swoosh-!

Thwack!

Only after the bat cut through the air did the ball lodge into the mitt.

“Swing! Strike out!!”

[Strikeout! Jung Hasung strikes out Buster Posey, the hero of Game 3, with three pitches in his first at-bat!]

[A wonderful splitter! He threw fastballs for the 1st and 2nd pitches, and then threw a splitter to Posey, who was expecting them, inducing a perfect swing and a miss!]

[Jung Hasung’s ball combination was fantastic! He easily caught the first batter and continues his excellent start!]

Hasung, who won the first confrontation with Posey, which had garnered the most attention in today’s game, was unstoppable.

Thwack-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Jung Hasung strikes out the second batter in just 4 pitches!]

The second out count went up.

Clack-!!

[He hit it! But a high fly ball! The center fielder catches it safely, and the third out count goes up!]

He perfectly caught the third out count as well.

The number of pitches thrown in the first inning was only 8.

Hasung recreated his performance from Game 1, making the Oakland fans go wild.

* * *

Hasung’s good pitching continued.

Thwack-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[Strikeout! Jung Hasung records his 10th strikeout in the 6th inning, recording double-digit strikeouts in his second game of the World Series!]

[It’s not easy to record double-digit strikeouts in the World Series. Jung Hasung does it as easily as eating a meal.]

[His boldness in showing the same performance as in the pennant race is truly amazing.]

Hasung was continuing his scoreless streak, performing as well as he did in the pennant race.

The problem was the Athletics’ batting lineup.

[However, the Athletics have not yet been able to start any significant offense.]

[They managed to get 2 hits off pitcher Tim Lincecum, but they didn’t lead to any runs.]

As the batters failed to score, the score between the two teams remained 0 to 0.

What Chris, the general manager, was worried about was the team’s lackluster performance.

‘Damn it… Arnold’s absence is definitely significant.’

Arnold was the core of the team’s batting lineup.

Arnold’s injury withdrawal caused the batting lineup’s power to weaken.

In addition, the players’ complacency became a direct reason why their hitting wasn’t exploding.

‘If that’s the case, it would be better for Hasung to be at bat.’

The one who was putting in the most effort in today’s game was Hasung.

Although it was on the mound, he was showing perfect pitching, tying up the Giants’ batting lineup.

If he were to stand at bat, he would show a better competitive spirit than the other batters right now.

Competitive spirit is highly contagious.

If Hasung, the team’s ace, showed such a good competitive spirit, the other batters would also be stimulated.

However, in the American League, Hasung, as a pitcher, cannot stand at bat.

‘There’s also a way to remove the designated hitter [a player who bats in place of the pitcher], but there’s no need to go that far to put him at bat.’

It was not yet the time to consider a two-way player in Major League Baseball.

Chris simply put it aside as a thought and focused on the game.

* * *

Hasung’s good pitching failed to stimulate the entire team.

Because he had always shown the same performance, his teammates were taking his good pitching for granted.

But only two people.

Trevor and Zack, who were close to Hasung, thought differently.

‘Our partner is pitching so hard. How can we not give him any help?’

Trevor has been consistently working with Hasung since he debuted in the major leagues.

In addition, as a catcher, he usually knows the feelings that pitchers feel well.

‘Even if he doesn’t show it on the outside, he must be frustrated with the current situation where no points are being scored.’

Knowing that, Trevor’s desire began to burn.

And Zack was similar.

‘It’s time to repay Hasung, who helped me.’

Zack’s skills had improved dramatically with Hasung’s help in the minor leagues.

Therefore, at this moment, he had a great desire to repay Hasung.

The hitting of those two was definitely different from the other players.

[Zack enters the plate with one out.]

Zack, standing at the plate, persistently battled Lincecum.

Clack!!

“Foul!!”

[4th foul! He shows good concentration by making a breaking ball foul with two strikes.]

[Lincecum’s pitch count has reached its limit, so this persistent match is also very good.]

[If the starting pitcher changes, an opportunity will come, right?]

[That’s right. The Giants have used a lot of bullpen pitchers, so an opportunity will definitely come.]

Lincecum’s pitch count was already over 105.

Although he had taken enough rest after Game 1, it was true that he was approaching his limit pitch count.

‘The speed is dropping.’

Giants manager Bruce Bochy’s face contorted.

The timing for Lincecum’s substitution was approaching.

‘It would be nice if he could hold on until the 7th inning.’

Replacing a pitcher in the middle of an inning had many uncertain elements.

However, looking at Lincecum’s speed decrease, it was time to consider changing him.

“What about the pitchers in the bullpen?”

“They’re preparing. If Lincecum gets this guy out, he can handle it until the 7th inning.”

“The problem is that Zack’s concentration is not easy to deal with.”

Thwack!!

“Ball!!”

“He’s also picking out the breaking ball that was thrown as a finishing pitch.”

“His concentration on the game is incomparably better than the other batters. You can’t easily lure a guy like that.”

In the end, you have to have a head-on confrontation.

Bochy sent a direct sign to Buster Posey, the catcher.

‘Have a head-on confrontation.’

Posey nodded at his sign.

He thought the same thing.

‘This guy is not someone you can trick with a deceptive pitch.’

His concentration was incomparably better than the other batters.

Posey, having made a decision, sent a sign.

‘Outside low course.’

Deciding on the course.

‘Throw your best ball.’

He sent a sign for the type of pitch.

Lincecum also nodded and threw the 6th pitch with a windup.

“Gasp-!!”

[6th pitch thrown!]

Whoosh-!!

He felt it in his hand.

It was properly scratched, and it was a ball comparable to the best of the balls he had thrown today.

At that moment.

Swoosh-!!

Zack’s bat turned sharply.

The bat caught the ball that was accurately piercing the outside low course borderline as it was.

Clack-!!

[He hit it!!]

With a cheerful sound, the batted ball flew quickly.

[Well-hit ball! It goes over the left fielder’s head and hits the fence on a one-bounce! In the meantime, Zack runs past 1st base and heads to 2nd base!]

The left fielder, who caught the ball coming out after hitting the fence, threw the ball directly to 3rd base.

Thanks to that, Zack had to stop at 2nd base.

[Zack stops at 2nd base! But with a runner on scoring position with one out, the Athletics get a good opportunity!]

[Zack’s hitting was very good! He pushed it in stride and made it a long hit!]

It was a hit that didn’t 욕심 부리지 않다 [greed for more].

That’s why this kind of long hit could come out.

[And Trevor is entering the plate!]

Trevor, who entered the plate, did not miss Lincecum’s powerless ball, which was affected by the previous hit.

Clack-!!

[Strongly hits the first pitch!! The batted ball splits the left-center field!!]

With a clean hit, Zack at 2nd base turned 3rd base and dug into home.

Splash-!