"Write, rewrite, and write again": Hanwha's "muddled mound" fails to provide a solution for breaking the losing streak [Daejeon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Hanwha Eagles' pitching staff has become a tangled mess. It was a desperate measure, but even that failed to provide a solution.

The game on the 14th, which has been recorded as a disaster, was the Samsung Lions match. Starter Moon Dong-ju pitched five scoreless innings, and with a 5-0 lead through six innings, hopes for ending the losing streak were growing.

It was fine through the seventh inning. After Park Sang-won allowed a walk and a hit, he was replaced by Min Woo-woo, who also issued a walk, prompting another change. Ultimately, Jung Woo-ju, who entered with no outs and bases loaded, surrendered one run but closed out the inning with a double play and a routine out.

Troubles began in the eighth inning. After bringing in Lee Sang-gyu, he issued a walk. Facing left-handed batter Yang Woo-hyun, left-handed pitcher Jo Dong-wook was brought in, recording a strikeout and a shortstop fly out to create two outs. However, a walk loaded the bases with two outs, prompting the quick summoning of closer Kim Seo-hyun.

The result was shocking. Kim Seo-hyun surrendered three runs on three walks and an error in the eighth inning, and although he returned to the mound in a typical save situation with a 5-4 lead, he could not break the poor momentum from the eighth. He created a bases-loaded crisis for himself with a hit, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch, then allowed two more runs on a walk-off walk, surrendering the lead.

Hanwha's bench finally moved. After summoning Hwang Jun-seo to retire Ryu Ji-hyeok with a fly ball on the seventh pitch, they failed to take the lead and suffered a painful defeat.

Although it was indeed a game that could not be abandoned despite allowing a comeback, the fact that relievers Kang Geon-woo and Park Jun-young remained in the bullpen alongside Hwang Jun-seo leaves a sense of regret over Hwang Jun-seo's appearance.

Ultimately, on the 15th, Hanwha started Wilkel Hernandez instead of Hwang Jun-seo against Samsung. On the 10th, in a game against SSG Landers, he pitched 5 innings, throwing 87 pitches, allowing 4 hits (2 home runs), 2 walks, striking out 3, and giving up 4 runs, resulting in a loss. This made his appearance after four days of rest, which is unusual.

It is common for a pitcher scheduled to start on Tuesday to rest for four days before starting on Sunday. Occasionally, when the rotation is disrupted, a pitcher in good condition may also start after just four days of rest. However, Hernandez had struggled in his previous outing and ultimately took the mound on this day, throwing 35 pitches over 1/3 of an inning, allowing seven hits, two walks, striking out one, and surrendering seven runs before being pulled early. He also contributed to Samsung achieving a KBO record seventh time with all seven opening batters reaching base in the first inning.

Ultimately, Hwang Jun-seo was brought in during the top of the first inning with one out and runners on first and second to extinguish the threat, and he successfully held the line without allowing any additional runs, closing out three innings cleanly. There remains a strong sense of regret that if Hwang Jun-seo had not been used the previous day and had instead started, he could have pitched a longer outing.

The starting rotation has become disordered. Wang Yen-ching is scheduled to start against Samsung on the 16th. Despite being an Asia quota pitcher, he is currently serving as Hanwha's ace, and the key question is whether he can continue his strong performance after appearing on four days' rest. He had rested for five days after his first appearance and six days before his third appearance. He is now pitching after an unfamiliar four-day rest.

Ultimately, starting pitchers will have their rest days reduced by one day each. Manager Kim has drawn another card. "Another starter may come out. Since our situation is not good right now, many pitchers will inevitably have to take the mound, and when we go to Busan, a new pitcher may likely make an appearance," he said.

Kim Seo-hyun also showed signs of anxiety, prompting the team to make temporary changes to the bullpen. Jack Cushing, who was brought in as a temporary replacement due to Owen White's injury, has been selected as the new closer. He had made his appearance in the game against the KIA Tigers on the 12th, throwing 64 pitches over three innings (allowing three runs) while preparing for a starting role, but was suddenly called upon to serve as the closer.

Manager Kim said, "I originally planned to start in Busan, but after watching yesterday's game, I thought, 'We can't proceed like this,' so for now, we'll have Jack close and manage the game that way. Baseball is always in motion, so we'll try this approach first and reconsider if things go even better."

Twisted and then twisted again. Can such irregular operations bring positive effects to Hanwha's already shaky mound?

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*This content was translated by AI.