Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 76

The Mound’s Villain – Episode 76

Trevor smiled, acknowledging the pain in his hand.

‘The ball feels even more powerful today. Seems like the rest did me good.’

Ha-seong’s first pitch was perfect.

Velocity, location, power.

It was so perfect that Trevor didn’t hesitate.

‘Let’s go with the same for the second pitch, but change the location.’

The location Trevor requested was high and inside.

The pitch was a four-seam fastball.

Ha-seong nodded and began his windup.

[Jung Ha-seong gets the sign! He’s throwing the second pitch!]

This time, his motion was smooth, and he put his full force into the ball.

“Hmph!!”

Whoosh-!!

Thwack!!

This time, the batter reacted.

He swung his bat with all his might at the incoming ball.

But the ball zipped past the bat and went straight into the catcher’s mitt.

Pow-!!

“Swing! Strike two!!”

[A swing and a miss! Jung Ha-seong’s four-seam fastball hits 100 mph again!!]

[Wow! The word ‘monster’ really suits him.]

The crowd’s excitement surged as the second pitch also clocked 100 mph.

“This is what I came to see!”

“Wow! Was the ball always this fast?”

“Amazing!”

“Finish the game!!”

Fueled by the fans’ fervent support, Ha-seong prepared for the third pitch.

‘Normally, I would have called for a different pitch, but……’

Trevor quickly signaled with his hand.

‘Seeing your condition today, there’s no need to overcomplicate things.’

The pitch Trevor wanted was another four-seam fastball.

But he requested it on the outside corner.

‘I’ve always liked it, but……’

Ha-seong smiled as he looked at the sign and went into his windup.

[Jung Ha-seong winds up!]

‘I like it even more today!’

He rotated his lower body with a stride and threw the ball with everything he had.

“Hmph!!”

[He threw it!]

The ball left his hand and flew across the space in an instant, slamming into the mitt.

Pow!

“Strike! Batter out!!”

And the umpire’s hand shot straight up.

It was that perfect.

[Strikeout! The speed of this pitch is…… 101 mph!! All three pitches exceeded 100 mph, and he gets the first out!]

It was a perfect start.

* * *

Ha-seong’s momentum, after a long time on the mound, was terrifying.

Pow-!

“Strike!! Batter out!!”

[Jung Ha-seong strikes out the second batter with fastballs only! The number of outs remaining until his 59th save is just one!!]

[Jung Ha-seong is in great condition today. All seven pitches he has thrown so far have exceeded 100 mph.]

[Was the rest a big help?]

[You could say that.]

[Currently, the number of pitches is only 7! Can he end the game with less than 10? Jung Ha-seong winds up!!]

Ha-seong threw the ball with a fast tempo as he wound up.

Clack!!

“Foul!!”

[First pitch is a foul! Another 100 mph fastball!]

Pow!

“Strike!!”

[The 9th pitch is also a 101 mph fastball!! The batter can’t even twitch against the ball coming in so hot!]

He quickly got two strikes.

‘My body feels insane today?’

His condition today was so good that even he was surprised.

He had only thrown 9 fastballs, and they all clocked over 100 mph.

He hadn’t expected this.

‘Plus, they were all fastballs, but the batters can’t seem to hit them properly.’

It meant his condition was perfect.

There was no need to throw a different ball at this moment.

[Jung Ha-seong! He’s signaling himself.]

[I wonder what choice he will make.]

[The 10th ball! He throws it!!]

Ha-seong threw his 10th ball with a windup.

“Hmph!!”

The ball, leaving his hand with a shout, cut through the wind.

Whoosh-!!

This time, the batter started his swing early.

‘Is it a fastball again?!’

It was a swing filled with the determination not to miss this time.

However, as the trajectory of the swing and the trajectory of the ball diverged, the ball went straight into the mitt.

Pow!!

“Swing! Game set!!”

[Strikeout! Jung Ha-seong’s 10th ball was also a fastball! The speed was 101 mph, and he achieves his 59th save!!]

His 59th save of the season was recorded.

* * *

[Jung Ha-seong achieves his 59th save of the season after 7 games!]

[Jung Ha-seong restarts his run for a new record!]

[Powerful pitching! All 10 balls thrown over 100 mph!]

As articles about Ha-seong poured out, the fans were ecstatic.

-Kuh-! I’ve been waiting for this!

-Wow…… 10 consecutive pitches over 100 mph, is that real?

-Fastballs only against major league hitters. Awesome…….

-Wow…… I think I changed my underwear several times while watching.

-Idiot. You should have worn a diaper like me.

-The rest was a benefit.

-Let’s go for 62 saves as it is-!

The fans showed an enthusiastic reaction to Ha-seong, who was running towards a new record again.

And from this day on, Ha-seong began to accumulate save points again.

[Bottom of the 6th inning, the Athletics get a good opportunity.]

With runners on first and third with one out, Jack stepped up to the plate.

[Jack, who scored his first major league point in the game two days ago, is at the plate.]

[Jack’s hitting feel didn’t look bad. He also recorded a hit yesterday, didn’t he?]

[The quality of all the batted balls was good, right?]

[That’s right.]

Jack, at the plate, made it 2 balls and 1 strike by the 3rd pitch, showing his good form.

[Jack, who has a good eye, gets a favorable count.]

[Having a good eye means he’s seeing the ball well and is in good condition. I think we can look forward to this at-bat.]

[The pitcher throws the 4th pitch!]

The 4th pitch thrown by the pitcher darted in towards Jack’s body.

Jack swung his bat with all his might, aiming for it.

Clack!!

[He hit it! A well-hit ball!! It passes the left fielder and hits the fence on one bounce!]

The runner on 3rd base had already sprinted home on the long hit, and the runner on 1st base also rounded 2nd base and picked up speed.

[The runner has rounded third base! The left fielder catches the ball and throws it straight home!!]

The ball caught by the left fielder flew towards home without a bounce.

The runner dove and slid across home plate at the signal of the next batter.

At the same time, the catcher’s glove, which caught the ball, collided with the runner’s back.

Splash-!

Thwack!

It was a close play.

All eyes were on the umpire.

The umpire looked at the runner and the catcher alternately, and then raised his fist.

“Out!!”

[Ah-! It’s out! With a great throw to home, the runner on 1st base is out, making it two outs!]

The score remained the same, and the out count increased.

[Ah-! In the chaos at home plate, Jack was already on second base!]

[That was smart base running. He checked the throw going home and immediately took second!]

[The Athletics take the lead with a score of 4 to 3 thanks to Jack’s hit! And the chance to score continues with two outs!]

The Athletics began to take the lead thanks to Jack’s performance.

* * *

As a result, the Athletics did not score any more points and ended the inning.

They failed to capitalize on any other opportunities in the 7th and 8th innings.

‘The opportunity will come.’

After waiting patiently, the opportunity was approaching.

Ha-seong waited for the 9th inning while warming up in the bullpen.

[Bailey is doing a good job of holding them in the 8th inning. If the inning ends like this, there is a high possibility that Jung Ha-seong will take the mound in the 9th inning.]

[That’s right. It looks like he will have a chance to reach the historic 60-save mark today.]

Bailey’s pitching was solid.

He finished the 1st inning cleanly, so much so that it was hard to believe he was a rookie.

Thanks to his performance, the Athletics’ continued to lead in the bottom of the 8th inning, meaning the save situation was still in play.

‘What will happen?’

While warming up, Ha-seong checked the game situation.

If the batters score in the 8th inning, Ha-seong’s save opportunity would disappear.

But that didn’t happen.

Clack-!!

[He hit it! But the ball soared high! The inning ends with the center fielder catching it almost in place!]

[Jung Ha-seong will take the mound in the next inning.]

Score 4 to 3.

The 9th inning arrived with the save situation intact.

“Ha-seong! It’s your turn. Go end the game.”

“Yes.”

The Athletics’ choice was, of course, Ha-seong.

* * *

Ha-seong went to the mound.

That meant one thing.

[The Closer, Jung Ha-seong, takes the mound to end the game!]

Ha-seong, who went to the mound to challenge for his 60th save of the season, slowly surveyed the surrounding environment and began preparing to pitch.

His relaxed appearance didn’t betray the fact that he was about to attempt his 60th save.

[Jung Ha-seong is calmly preparing for the game. He has an unwavering focus that belies his rookie status.]

[Jung Ha-seong has tremendous talent, but his composure is truly amazing.]

Ha-seong, who had finished preparing, stood on the pitcher’s plate.

After that, the batter stepped up to the plate, and the umpire’s hand went up.

“Play ball!”

[Top of the 9th inning! Jung Ha-seong takes the mound to protect the team’s victory and end the game!]

[Today’s game also carries the weight of a potential record: 60 saves. It’s a more important game than ever!]

[Jung Ha-seong gets the sign and winds up to throw the first pitch!!]

Ha-seong threw the first pitch.

Whoosh-!

Clack!!

[He swings at the first pitch! A well-hit ball!!]

The batter was anticipating the first pitch.

Knowing that Ha-seong had a high fastball rate, he swung his bat.

Because he caught the ball high, the batted ball flew straight.

The shortstop jumped to catch the batted ball that was trying to get through the infield as a low line drive.

[Shortstop jumps!!]

He stretched his arm as far as he could and snagged the flying ball.

Thwack!!

[He caught it!! He robs a hit with a super catch!!]

[Ah-! Great pitching, hitting, and fielding all in one play! This is Major League Baseball!]

[Really fantastic pitching, hitting, and defense were on display!]

The batter shook his head in disappointment and headed into the dugout.

That’s how well-struck the ball was.

‘As expected, the guys who make solid contact are no joke.’

Even though he was in good condition, the batters were still hitting Ha-seong’s ball like that.

‘Let’s focus even more.’

Anyway, there isn’t much of the season left.

There was still the postseason left, but there was no reason to hold back to conserve stamina.

‘Achieving the record is the top priority.’

Ha-seong prioritized his record.

In fact, there was no significant conflict.

There were times when a batter had to prioritize the team over personal records, but that wasn’t really relevant to the closer [a relief pitcher who specializes in finishing games].

Because the team wins the moment the record is achieved.

“Hoo…….”

Ha-seong lowered his upper body, breathing out and focusing.

[Jung Ha-seong gets the sign from Trevor, the catcher.]

[He has to concentrate and throw the ball as he faces the top of the order.]

[That’s right. The first batter was also dangerous. Jung Ha-seong gets the sign and winds up!!]

Ha-seong, who began his windup, threw the second ball.

Whoosh-!!

Clack!!

“Foul!!”

[He hit the breaking changeup, but it goes foul into the stands on the third base side!]

[Looking at the batters’ swing timing, it seems like they are anticipating a fastball. Throwing a changeup in this situation was a very good choice.]

[That’s right. Jung Ha-seong increases the tempo and throws the 2nd pitch!]

Whoosh-!

Pow!

“Strike!! Two!!”

[A four-seam fastball that powerfully zips through the strike zone! The speed was 100 mph!]

[As in his previous appearance, Jung Ha-seong’s condition looks very good. Now, most of his fastballs are clocking over 100 mph.]

[It’s amazing that he’s showing this even in the second half of the season. Jung Ha-seong throws the 3rd pitch without giving him a break!]

The ball, released with the windup, darted towards the batter’s body.

The batter anticipated another fastball and swung his bat.

Whoosh!

At that moment, the trajectory of the ball changed and began to curve away to the outside.

The batter hurriedly pulled back and reached out his bat to try to deflect the ball.

Clack!!

However, the weakly hit ball rolled towards the mound.

[Pitcher’s position! Jung Ha-seong catches the ball and throws it straight to 1st base!]

Thwack!

“Out!!”

[The second out count is recorded! Only one out left until 60 saves!!]

There was only one out left.

Ha-seong sped up to grab his 60th save by throwing balls in quick succession against the third batter.

Pow-!

“Strike!!”

[The first pitch, a 101 mph fastball, blazes through home plate!]

Clack!!

[He hit the 2nd pitch! But the weakly hit ball goes straight to the second baseman!! The second baseman catches it and throws it straight to 1st base!]

Thwack!!

“Out!!”

[Game over! Jung Ha-seong achieves his 60th save of the season, securing the team’s victory!!]

Only 2 save points remain until the new record.