"Class is different" — Arqua's ERA of 1.59, Wang Yen-ching delivers 5 innings, 6 strikeouts, no earned runs despite resting for four days [Daejeon on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Taiwan's "express" Wang Yen-ching (25·Hanwha Eagles), who struggled with control after his appearance following a four-day rest, ultimately held strong for five innings and fulfilled the role of an ace.

Wang Yen-ching made his scheduled start in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game between the Samsung Lions and Hanwha Life Eagles at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park on the 16th, delivering a strong performance over five innings by throwing 95 pitches, allowing six hits, four walks, striking out six batters, and surrendering three earned runs (unearned).

Wang Yanqing, wearing the Hanwha uniform as an Asian quota player, has been fulfilling the role of Hanwha's ace in the early part of the season. On the 29th, in a game against the Kiwoom Heroes, he earned his first career victory in the KBO League with 5 1/3 innings pitched, five strikeouts, and three earned runs, shedding emotional tears of joy, and has since displayed even more solid performance.

On the 4th, against the Doosan Bears, he pitched 6 1/3 innings with 4 strikeouts and 3 earned runs (unearned), securing a two-game winning streak. On the 11th, against the KIA Tigers, he pitched 6 innings with 5 strikeouts and 1 earned run, achieving back-to-back quality starts (starting pitcher pitching 6 or more innings with 3 or fewer earned runs) in two consecutive games.

However, after his first appearance, he rested for five days, and after his second game, he rested for six days, yet Yanqing had to appear after just four days of rest today.

On the 14th, the team delivered a disastrous performance against Samsung, allowing a record 18 walks and hit-by-pitches in KBO League history, ultimately requiring nine pitchers to take the mound. On the 15th, Hwang Jun-seo, who was expected to start, took the mound, while Will Hernandez was brought in one day earlier than scheduled. The result was catastrophic. He recorded only one out, allowing seven hits, two walks, and one strikeout while surrendering seven runs before being pulled early.

On this day, Wang Yenqing had to start a day earlier than scheduled. Was the limited rest a physical burden? Wang Yenqing appeared somewhat unsteady. In the bottom of the first inning with one out, he hit Kim Ji-chan with a pitch and issued a walk to Choi Hyung-woo.

However, Wang Yencheng, having raised his concentration, induced a fly ball to right field from Lewin Diaz, then struck out Ryu Ji-hyeok with a perfectly located low outside fastball that froze him, completing the inning with a looking strikeout.

In the second inning, misfortune followed. In the second inning, second baseman Ha Joo-seok dropped a ground ball hit by Jeon Byeong-woo, allowing a runner to advance to second base. When Lee Jae-hyun hit an infield single, the runner scored. In the second inning, Park Seung-gyu hit a double, but with two outs and runners on second and third, Kim Ji-chuan was retired on a fly ball to right field.

The team was held back by errors again in the third inning. After walking Diaz to lead off the first inning, a force-out play was set up, but second baseman Ha Joo-seok committed a throwing error. Subsequently, with two outs and runners on first and second, consecutive hits by Jeon Byeong-woo and Lee Jae-hyun allowed both runners to score. As in the second inning, all runs were recorded as unearned.

After striking out two batters in the fourth inning, Yanqing returned in the fifth, allowing a hit to Ryu Ji-hyeok but retiring Min-ho Kang on a double play. He also recorded a fly out to left field by Lee Jae-hyun after giving up a hit to Jeon Byeong-woo, completing the inning.

The fastest pitch recorded reached 149 km/h, with the pitcher throwing 60 fastballs of two different types. He navigated numerous crisis situations by mixing in 28 sliders, 6 curves, and even one forkball.

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*This content was translated by AI.