'How could this be?' 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.

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

On the 9th, Hiramoto started in the away game against Doosan Bears at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season. He lasted 3 innings, allowing 3 hits (1 home run), issuing 6 walks, recording 2 strikeouts, and giving up 6 earned runs, bearing the burden of defeat.

Hiramoto is the replacement foreign pitcher for Mitch White, whose injury (minor tear in the right shoulder rotator cuff) was announced by SSG on the 5th.

Hiramoto 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 Hiramoto's KBO League debut.

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 also not bad. 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 first inning well, I think he can hold on firmly," expressing his expectations.

In the end, the manager'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. Hiramoto gave up a two-run double to Cameron down the left-center gap, recording his second run allowed. He induced a groundout to second base from Kim Min-seok, but Park Jun-soon scored from third base during the play. 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 creating a one-out, second-base situation, he allowed another 5-pitch walk to Park Chan-ho. However, he got Park Ji-hoon on a flyout to second base and struck out Park Jun-soon on a swinging strikeout, ending the second inning without allowing any runs.

Ultimately, Hiramoto's pitching lasted only until the third inning. He threw a straight fastball walk to leadoff batter Cameron and also allowed a stolen base. With Kim Min-seok's infield hit, the bases were loaded with no outs. He struck out Kang Seung-ho on three pitches but surrendered a sacrifice fly to Lee Yu-chan to right field. Then, against Yoon Jun-ho, he was hit hard by a third fastball in a 0-2 count, allowing a three-run home run over the left-field fence, recording his sixth run allowed. Hiramoto 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.

Hiramoto'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.

Hiramoto, who 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.