Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 52

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 52

It was an unstoppable momentum.

Thwack-!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

[That’s the third out! Jung Ha-sung is once again responsible for the Athletics’ victory today! He achieves his 9th save of the season!]

Ha-sung’s save count continued to grow.

He was racking up saves at the fastest pace among all closing pitchers.

But he wasn’t without competition.

[Jung Ha-sung achieves his 9th save of the season!]

The day Ha-sung earned his 9th save.

[New York Yankees’ guardian Mariano Rivera achieves his 8th save of the season!!]

Rivera also earned a save point.

Following behind were Joe Nathan of the Minnesota Twins and Brian Fuentes of the Angels, tied for third place with 7 saves.

“Is it real that he’s ahead of Rivera, lol?”

“If it weren’t for that blown save last time, he’d be tied for 1st with Rivera.”

“I wonder if he can take the lead in saves for April?”

“Wow, I can’t believe he’s competing for first place with a legend.”

“If he beats Rivera and takes 1st place, he’s 100% getting Rookie of the Month.”

Mariano Rivera was a mythical figure in Major League Baseball.

Especially, the fact that he only played as a closer made him an even more special player.

After retirement, he was considered a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, so the competition with him became a huge topic.

‘Rivera, huh…’

Ha-sung stroked his chin while looking at an article comparing him to Rivera.

‘To win the April Rookie of the Month, I definitely need to make an impact that surpasses Rivera.’

Mariano Rivera is a great pitcher.

Defeating him would be a plus factor in the selection process.

‘Ten save points will be the watershed moment.’

There was only a week left in April.

Excluding one day for travel, there were 6 games remaining.

‘That means I have to play in at least 2 of those games.’

This wasn’t entirely under his control.

If he were a starting pitcher, he could predict his appearance schedule because the rotation is fixed.

But closers didn’t have that luxury.

Depending on the game situation, he might play in more than half of the remaining games, but…

‘If I’m unlucky, I might not play in any game.’

For now, he had no choice but to wait and see.

* * *

The Athletics were hosting Tampa Bay at home.

[The Athletics are facing the Tampa Bay Rays, the 2008 American League champions. How will today’s game unfold?]

[Both the Athletics and the Rays have many young players. But the Rays have gained momentum by winning the American League championship last year.]

[They are having a decent start to the season.]

[Yes. In short, they are a scary team once they start gaining momentum. It’s important for the Athletics to seize the victory before that happens.]

[We need to be especially careful of Carl Crawford, right?]

[That’s right.]

As expected, Carl Crawford’s performance stood out for the Rays.

Clang-!!

[He hit it! A long hit that splits the left-center field! Both the runner on third and the runner on second are brought in!]

[Carl Crawford’s precise hitting is producing good results.]

The Rays began to take the lead thanks to Carl Crawford’s performance.

Ha-sung checked the scoreboard and predicted the outcome of today’s game.

‘It doesn’t look like I’ll be needed today.’

After the 7th inning, the score was 8 to 2.

Even if the Athletics were a team with a knack for hitting home runs, it wouldn’t be easy to overturn this kind of score.

And his prediction came true.

Thwack-!

“Strike! Batter out!”

[Ah-! Matt Holliday is struck out looking, and the game ends as it is. Unfortunately, Jung Ha-sung didn’t get a chance to pitch in today’s game.]

[It’s a shame. But there are still many games left, so it’s good to get enough rest at times like this.]

[We hope to see Jung Ha-sung tomorrow and will be back with the second game between the Athletics and the Rays tomorrow!]

The broadcast concluded as the camera showed Ha-sung packing his bags and leaving the bullpen.

* * *

While Ha-sung couldn’t play in the game,

Mariano Rivera added a save against Boston.

[Jung Ha-sung and Mariano Rivera are now tied for first place in the league.]

[A fierce save competition between the two pitchers this April!]

[Can he beat Mariano Rivera, who has become a living legend, and win the Rookie of the Month award for April?]

Mariano Rivera caught up in save points.

Ha-sung, who was tied for the lead with 9 saves, was able to play in the second game against the Rays.

[Jung Ha-sung is on the mound. Today, he’s coming into the game with a comfortable 3-point lead.]

[This is the biggest lead Jung Ha-sung has had in any of his appearances this season.]

The fans at Oakland Coliseum cheered for Ha-sung’s appearance.

“Oh-! We get to see our rookie today!”

“Jung Ha-sung, we came to see you!”

“Let’s easily secure the victory!”

Enthusiastic cheers poured out from the fans.

[If Jung Ha-sung gets a save in today’s game, he will be ranked No. 1 in total saves in Major League Baseball.]

[Surpassing Rivera.]

[That’s right. I’m looking forward to seeing if Jung Ha-sung can get a save point in today’s game!]

Trevor signaled to Ha-sung, who was on the mound.

‘Inside, let’s go fast.’

‘Okay.’

Ha-sung nodded and went into his windup.

“Hoo…!”

Exhaling, he strode forward and threw the first pitch.

Whoosh-!

Thwack!

“Ball!”

The first pitch was a ball.

The call was that half a ball was out of the zone.

[The first pitch is a ball. But it looked like it was on the edge of the zone.]

[That’s right. But it’s the umpire’s call, and he’s been calling balls on the same course, so it’s consistent.]

[Does that mean Jung Ha-sung has to adapt?]

[Yes.]

Ha-sung thought the same thing.

‘The strike zone isn’t fixed. It varies from umpire to umpire. Some call the inside tight, and some call it wide.’

The strike zone is defined.

But it also changes depending on the umpire.

It can cause controversy, but it was accepted as normal.

‘If the umpire’s zone is consistent, then I just have to throw according to it.’

He didn’t care much that the first pitch was a ball.

From now on, he would set the zone and adjust to it.

[Jung Ha-sung throws the second pitch.]

With a windup, he threw the second pitch.

Whoosh-!

Clang!!

“Foul!!”

[The second pitch is a foul. It was a ball that was more in the zone than before.]

[Jung Ha-sung’s control was good. And the batter’s reaction wasn’t bad either.]

Both the pitcher and batter threw and hit well.

‘My condition is good.’

From this reaction, he could tell that the batter’s condition was good.

Ha-sung threw consecutive pitches and gained a favorable count.

Thwack-!!

“Strike!”

[The third pitch is a strike! A 99-mile fastball that hits the outside low corner!]

[He threw two inside and then chose the outside for the third pitch, showing good corner work.]

Clang!!

“Foul!!”

[The 4th pitch is a slider! The batter barely managed to hit the ball that was tailing away.]

[The batter barely survived the breaking ball that was thrown for the first time today.]

The batter also made contact with the slider that was thrown after three fastballs.

He was just barely able to make contact, but he reacted to the ball thrown as a finisher.

‘His condition is definitely good.’

The fact that he reacts immediately to breaking balls meant that he was very focused.

‘Then…’

Ha-sung sent a sign.

Trevor nodded and brought his mitt.

[5th pitch, Jung Ha-sung is giving the sign himself.]

[He might be trying to end it here.]

[Jung Ha-sung, windup! He throws!]

Whoosh-!

The ball that left Ha-sung’s hand flew sharply.

The course was inside, high.

The batter quickly leaned back.

Thwack!!

“Ball!”

[5th pitch is a ball! It went in a bit high, and the batter had to lean back quickly.]

[It wasn’t a pitch to get hit, but the batter avoided it urgently because it was such a fast ball.]

Even if you watch the replay, it wasn’t a pitch to get hit.

[If today’s umpire’s zone was generous on the inside, it wouldn’t be strange to call a strike.]

[Jung Ha-sung must be a little disappointed.]

[That’s right.]

That’s how the commentators saw it, but Ha-sung wasn’t disappointed at all.

‘When your condition is good, this kind of ball is more likely to be remembered.’

The 5th pitch was thrown on purpose.

This is because the closer it is to the eyes, the longer the image of the ball remains in the brain.

‘And here…’

Ha-sung sent a sign again.

Trevor nodded and brought his mitt.

[Jung Ha-sung throws the 6th pitch!]

Whoosh-!

The ball that left his hand flew towards the outside low corner.

The batter swung his bat as if not to miss it.

But the ball didn’t arrive until his bat passed over home plate.

Swoosh!!

The bat cut through the air in vain.

Thud!

The ball went into the mitt.

“Swing! Strike! Out!!”

The third strike was called, and the first out count lit up.

[Swinging strikeout! The speed of the ball thrown this time is… 93 miles! Was it a cutter?]

[No. It was the trajectory of a four-seam fastball. I think he deliberately lowered the speed.]

[Lowered the speed?]

[Yes. He threw the 5th pitch close to the body, so the batter must have gotten used to it.

So I think he missed the timing.]

[Isn’t the timing too off to say that?]

[The closer it is to the eyes, the faster the perceived speed. The 6th pitch was the farthest from the eyes, on the outside low corner, and the speed was also lower than average at 93 miles, so the batter’s timing was completely thrown off.]

It was an accurate commentary.

Ha-sung was controlling the tempo to steal the batter’s timing.

Thanks to the setup he laid out earlier, he completely stole the batter’s timing.

‘It’s easy to say! But that’s not easy!’

Chris, who was watching the game, couldn’t help but be shocked.

The reason was simple.

‘It’s Major League! And he can throw that kind of ball in the top of the 9th inning?’

Lowering the speed means that the quality of the ball decreases.

The power pitcher gave up his biggest strength.

Even in the 9th inning. To throw that kind of ball in the major leagues, not the minor leagues.

It was shocking beyond surprise.

‘He’s definitely a rookie, but how can he make this kind of combination?’

He gave the signs himself, so it’s not Trevor’s idea.

All the combinations came from Ha-sung’s head.

Chris was confused as to whether Ha-sung was a rookie or a veteran who had been rolling around in the big leagues for over ten years.

[Clang-!!]

[The batted ball flies high. Shortstop Mark catches it safely, and the second out count goes up.]

[Jung Ha-sung’s location is good. It took him a lot of pitches to get the first out, but he only used two to get the second out.]

[The ball that got the out count this time looks like a sinker.]

[Yes. He throws it occasionally, but the movement is good, so it’s difficult to make a direct hit.]

[Since Jung Ha-sung has been protecting the 9th inning, I’ve been able to watch the game comfortably.]

[That’s right.]

The Oakland commentators were also pouring out praise for Ha-sung.

The reason was that Ha-sung’s pitching was stable to anyone who played baseball.

So much so that it was hard to believe he was a rookie.

[Thwack!]

[Strike!!]

[First pitch strike. Ah, the New York Yankees game just ended. They lost to the Red Sox, and Rivera didn’t pitch.]

[If Jung Ha-sung gets the 3rd out, he will be ranked No. 1 in saves.]

The commentator’s words soon became reality.

[Clang!!]

[He hit it! But it’s a mis-hit, it floats high. Third baseman Adam catches the ball!]

The third out count went up.

[Jung Ha-sung records his 9th save of the season! The Athletics continue to maintain their No. 1 position in the American League!]

Ha-sung rose to the top of the saves leaderboard again.