*This content was translated by AI.
Anders Tolhurst (27, LG Twins) is regaining his perfect form last year. However, he has shown remarkable improvement, saying he has never been satisfied with the pitch himself. This is why LG has no choice but to get better.
Tolhurst started at the home game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League against SSG Landers at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 12th and pitched 94 pitches in six innings, allowing four hits, three outs, and four strikeouts.
In his first appearance against the KIA Tigers on the 31st of last month, he started with a loss by allowing seven runs in three innings, but rebounded with one run in six innings against the Kiwoom Heroes on the 5th, and won two consecutive games with quality starts (more than six innings and less than three earned runs) on the same day, completely stabilizing.
Tolhurst, who joined during the last season but pitched overwhelmingly with 6-2 losses and 2.86 ERA in eight games, started the day by allowing two on-base hits each in the first and second innings, but later erased the crisis by inducing a misfire.
From the third inning, when the team began to use firepower, he pitched more stably. In particular, in the fourth and fifth innings of offense, the opponent self-destructed due to frequent errors, which may have been difficult to maintain the rhythm of the longer-than-expected attack, but he maintained a good balance and completed the winning pitcher requirements with more powerful pitches than in the first and second innings.
He threw 43 pitches of fastball with a maximum speed of 154 kilometers per hour and overwhelmed SSG hitters by evenly spraying cutters (25 pitches), curves (20 pitches), and folk balls (6 pitches).
After the game, head coach Yeom Kyung-yeop gave a thumbs-up, saying, "Tollhurst pitched well to continue his winning streak like an ace, providing a foothold for victory."
Tolhurst also said, "It was such a good game. "The team helped me a lot offensively, so I was able to pitch comfortably, and I'm satisfied because I think I've shown everything I can show."
Of course, compared to last year's overwhelming pitch, it was not yet 100% satisfactory. Tolhurst said, "It's true that the pace hasn't come up yet, and it's true that I'm not satisfied with the performance I'm showing," but added, "I don't think I've ever been satisfied after the game while playing baseball. That's why I think I just have to do it with confidence," he said.
He did not miss the moment when his opponent self-destructed due to many errors in the fourth and fifth innings and took the victory in a good mood. The team won seven consecutive games and remained tied for the lead. The role of the fielders, who were not shaken even in the atmosphere that could be cluttered, was large.
Tolhurst also showed satisfaction with LG's stable pitching staff. "As you all know, it's true that our team has the best defense in the league, and I don't think there's a problem at all if we do our job because such a defense is behind us," he said, adding, "It's one of my great pride that there's always such a defense behind us."
As a second year living in Korea, it is well integrated into the environment as well as the team culture. Tolhurst said, "I think I'm more comfortable with the team members and I think I'm more adapted to the league," adding, "I'm comfortable because I think I can show more of myself just because I'm starting the season from the beginning with the team members."
As the trend of riding and pitching unfolded, the LG mound also failed to find stability at the beginning of the season, but it has already risen to first place with Team ERA 3.88. The starting ERA is eighth with 4.62, but it is regaining last year's power by playing repeatedly, including Tolhurst.
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*This content was translated by AI.
