'How could this happen?' The protagonist of the first-ever KBO 45-year history → 'Shocking 6 runs allowed.' What exactly happened? The manager's 'concern over crowd' became reality.

*This content was translated by AI.

Hiramoto Koji (27, SSG Landers), signed as a replacement for foreign pitcher Mitch White (32), showed poor form in his KBO debut.

Koji made his first start on the 9th in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season away game against Doosan Bears at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium. He lasted 3 innings, allowing 3 hits (1 home run), issuing 6 walks, recording 2 strikeouts, and surrendering 6 earned runs, taking the loss.

Koji was signed as a replacement for Mitch White, whose injury (minor damage to the right shoulder rotator cuff) was announced by SSG on the 5th.

Koji is a left-handed pitcher from Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. SSG acquired him for a total of $70,000 (approximately 130 million won) after he played for Gunma Diamond Pegassus in the Japanese independent league.

During the season, he started in 4 games in the Japanese independent league, pitching 21 1/3 innings with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss, an ERA of 4.64. He recorded 35 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.13. His primary weapon is a heavy fastball reaching speeds up to 152 km/h. SSG decided to sign him after comprehensively reviewing his current condition, potential for league adaptation, and immediate readiness.

Today's game was Koji's KBO League debut. He is the first Japanese left-handed pitcher among KBO League foreign players. He is also the first Japanese player (excluding Zainichi Koreans) registered as a left-handed pitcher or position player. Previous Zainichi Korean left-handed pitchers include Lotte's Park Deok-yong (1984) and Samsung's Kim Il-yong (1984–1986).

Before the game, SSG manager Lee Seung-yong, the team's commander, said, "I am curious too. His performance is not bad. His pitch endings are good, and the value of his changeup, curve, cutter, and slider is not bad either. However, since he has only pitched in the independent league, the key is what kind of pitches he will throw in such a crowded and tense situation."

He continued, "We will not limit his pitch count. He reportedly threw over 100 pitches in Japan. If he can hold the line well in the first inning, I think he can hold on firmly," expressing his expectations.

In the end, the commander's concerns became reality.

From the first inning, his control was off. He issued a straight fastball walk to leadoff batter Park Chan-ho, a 5-pitch walk to Park Ji-hoon, and a straight fastball walk to Park Jun-soon, putting him in a bases-loaded, no-out crisis. Then, during Cameron's at-bat, he committed a balk, allowing Park Ji-hoon from third base to score. Koji gave up a two-run double to left-center field to Cameron, recording his second run allowed. He induced a groundout to second base from Kim Min-seok, but Park Jun-soon scored from third base in the meantime. He got Kang Seung-ho on a flyout to center field and Kim Min-seok on a groundout to third base, barely surviving the first inning.

He wavered again in the second inning. He gave up a 5-pitch walk to leadoff batter Yoon Jun-ho. With a sacrifice bunt by Jung Soobin, there was one out and runners on second base. He then allowed another 5-pitch walk to Park Chan-ho. However, he got Park Ji-hoon on a groundout to second base and Park Jun-soon on a swinging strikeout, ending the second inning without allowing any runs.

In the end, Koji's pitching lasted only until the third inning. He threw a straight fastball walk to leadoff batter Cameron and also allowed a stolen base. Kim Min-seok's infield hit put runners on first and third with no outs. He struck out Kang Seung-ho on three pitches but surrendered a sacrifice fly to right field to Lee Yu-chan. Then, against Yoon Jun-ho, he was hit hard by a third fastball in a 0-2 count, allowing a two-run home run over the left-field fence, recording his sixth run allowed. Koji ended the inning by getting Jung Soobin on a groundout to shortstop and handed the mound to Jang Ji-hoon from the fourth inning onward.

Koji's total pitch count for the day was 78. He mixed 41 fastballs, 19 curveballs (124–132 km/h), 16 cutters (137–144 km/h), and 2 changeups (136–137 km/h). His fastest fastball reached 152 km/h, with an average speed of 147 km/h and a lowest speed of 142 km/h. However, he threw 38 strikes and a whopping 40 balls.

Koji endured a harsh baptism of fire in his KBO debut. Will he be able to deliver the good pitching SSG expects in his next appearance?

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*This content was translated by AI.