'KBO's American National Team Star' Kelly's Blockbuster! Complete Victory at 'Pitcher's Graveyard' Coors Field → '7 Consecutive QS' First Road Pitcher in History

*This content was translated by AI.

Right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly (38, Arizona Diamondbacks), the 'American National Team Player Produced by the KBO League,' delivered a stellar performance at Coors Field, widely regarded as the most brutal 'pitcher's graveyard,' etching his name into Major League Baseball history.

On the 16th (Korean time), Arizona secured a decisive 9-1 victory in a road game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, USA, led by Kelly's complete game effort of 9 innings with just one earned run allowed.

Before today's game, Kelly had struggled with a season ERA of 7.62, but at the hitter-friendly Coors Field, he delivered a flawless pitching performance, throwing only 100 pitches (68 strikes) over 9 innings, lowering his ERA to 5.91. His final line was 9 innings, 4 hits allowed (1 home run), no walks, and 3 strikeouts with 1 earned run. After recording the final out in the bottom of the 9th to secure the complete victory, Kelly roared. He earned his third win of the season.

With this complete victory, Kelly became the first person in Coors Field history to achieve such a monumental feat. According to Sara Lang, a reporter for MLB.com, Kelly has recorded '7 consecutive Quality Starts (QS·starting 6+ innings with 3 or fewer earned runs)' in road games at Coors Field from 2022 to the present.

Excluding Colorado pitchers who call Coors Field home, Kelly is the first road pitcher in Major League Baseball history to achieve 7 consecutive Quality Starts at Coors Field.

The record for the most consecutive Quality Starts at Coors Field is held by Colorado's ace Aaron Cook (9 games in 2005–2006, 8 games in 2009–2010). Only home team Colorado starting pitchers such as Ubaldo Jimenez (7 games in 2009), Kyle Freeland (7 games in 2018), and German Marquez (7 games in 2018) have recorded 7 consecutive Quality Starts. Kelly stands alone as the 'road reaper' at this hitter-friendly ballpark that has been a graveyard for pitchers.

Kelly started the game nervously, giving up a solo home run (his 11th of the season) to Hunter Goodman in the bottom of the first with two outs. However, he dominated the Colorado lineup with impeccable control thereafter. Aside from a single in the third with one out and a double in the fifth with two outs, he allowed no consecutive baserunners.

Kelly is a very familiar and iconic figure to Korean baseball fans. He played for four seasons with SK Wyverns, the predecessor of SSG Landers. After posting solid statistics in 119 KBO League games with 48 wins, 32 losses, and a 3.86 ERA, he signed with Arizona and returned to the U.S. stage.

When he first joined SK, Kelly was a relatively unknown pitcher, barely recognized in the Major Leagues. However, building on his growth in Korea, he rose to become a full-time starting pitcher in the Major Leagues starting in the 2019 season. Even during his time in Korea, he was deeply loved by domestic fans for his open-mindedness and diligent attitude, always respecting Korean baseball. In particular, he formed a powerful one-two punch with fellow ace Kim Kwang-hyun (38, SSG Landers), leading SK to a dramatic Korean Series championship in 2018.

Kelly's ascent did not stop there. Based on his outstanding performances, he was honored to be selected for the U.S. national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). As a member of the U.S. team, which boasts the world's best Major Leaguers, he confidently took the mound, reaching the pinnacle of the 'KBO export myth.'

Meanwhile, Colorado's starting pitcher, veteran left-hander Kyle Freeland, collapsed in the top of the first inning, allowing six runs. Freeland, who had fallen into a slump after returning from injury, gave up three walks to his former team's star Nolan Arenado alone, surrendering seven runs on seven walks and hits (8 hits allowed) for his fifth loss (one win) of the season. Freeland's season ERA soared to 7.22.

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*This content was translated by AI.