Won Tae-in's atonement pitch: endured 7 innings despite 'thigh discomfort'! Top speed 150 km/h + minimized bullpen usage → 'The dignity of an ace'

*This content was translated by AI.

Samsung Lions' 'native ace' Won Tae-in (26) delivered an 'atonement pitch' to wash away his previous mistake in the last game. Sudden pain struck during the game, but instead of leaving the mound, he showed responsibility by enduring seven innings. He reached a top speed of 150 km/h, signaling a revival of his pitching ability, but unfortunately lost the spotlight due to his team's defeat.

On the 25th, Won Tae-in started against the Kiwoom Heroes in an away game held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League'. He pitched 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, striking out 4, walking 2, and giving up 3 earned runs, holding on well. Although his team lost 2-4, making him the losing pitcher, it was a clear strong performance corresponding to a Quality Start Plus (7 innings pitched by a starter with 3 or fewer earned runs).

On this day, an unexpected variable occurred for Won Tae-in, who had been pitching well through the third inning. After throwing a third pitch, a changeup, against Kiwoom's foreign batter Brooks, Won Tae-in felt discomfort in his left hamstring. He immediately signaled to the dugout, and the coaching staff, including trainers, came onto the mound.

At the moment when a substitution was expected due to injury concerns, Won Tae-in stepped back onto the rubber. After throwing a few warm-up pitches, he showed strong determination to continue and immediately threw a 148 km/h fastball to close out the inning himself. A Samsung club official explained right after the incident, "He reportedly felt sudden discomfort in his left thigh. There is nothing unusual."

He did not merely get through the innings. Despite the discomfort, Won Tae-in threw 90 pitches and displayed fighting spirit by holding the mound until the 7th inning. In particular, Won Tae-in's fastest fastball on this day reached 150 km/h. His average fastball speed was as high as 147 km/h. This was a signal that he had fully recovered physically, after concerns about reduced velocity in the early season due to elbow injury aftereffects.

Recently, Won Tae-in found himself at the center of an unpleasant incident. During the Daegu LG game on the 19th, he became involved in a 'swearing and attitude controversy' while expressing emotions after allowing a run. He later apologized, saying, "I was sensitive because I wanted to do well above all else," and ultimately proved his sincerity with his skills and sense of responsibility. Most importantly, he contributed greatly to the team by enduring 7 innings and saving the bullpen. Only Baek Jeong-hyun, who appeared in the bottom of the 8th inning, was the only Samsung relief pitcher to appear that day.

However, despite the ace's struggle, Samsung could not smile. Although they hit 9 hits, they were blocked by Kiwoom's mound and managed to score only 2 runs. Ultimately, Samsung lost 2-4, failing to turn Won Tae-in's strong performance into a victory.

Although they wore the burden of defeat, Samsung gained its biggest harvest. They confirmed the ace's 'sense of responsibility' that broke through the controversy head-on and his 'pitching ability' at 150 km/h. The season is still long. It remains to be seen whether Won Tae-in's fighting spirit can serve as a catalyst to awaken the slumping Lions.

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*This content was translated by AI.