With the manager's "ultimatum," KIA's national team ace Lee Ui-ri staged a dramatic turnaround. Why did KIA fans applaud even after the loss?

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Ui-ri (24), a native starting pitcher for the KIA Tigers who has been active as the national team's left-handed ace, delivered a strong performance against the Samsung Lions, who are tied for first place in the league. Although he took the loss, his pitching left fans eager for his next outing.

The 16th, Daegu Samsung Lions Park. KIA vs. Samsung.

In the bottom of the 1st, KIA starter Lee Ui-ri induced a groundout to first base from leadoff batter Ryu Ji-hyuk and recorded a strikeout at home plate on Kim Sung-yoon to get two outs. However, he allowed a solo home run to the opposite field to Gu Ja-wook, appearing momentarily shaken, but he retired Diaz on a swinging strikeout to close out the inning.

In the bottom of the 2nd, he gave up a hit to the center field to leadoff batter Park Seung-gyu. But he struck out Jeon Byeong-woo and Lee Jae-hyun in succession and induced a flyout to the catcher from Kang Min-ho, ending the inning without allowing a run.

Lee Ui-ri allowed another run in the bottom of the 3rd. Leadoff batter Park Se-hyeok singled to left field, and following batter Ryu Ji-hyuk bunted for a sacrifice, putting a runner on second base with one out. Lee Ui-ri walked Gu Ja-wook while inducing a groundout to second base from Kim Sung-yoon. Diaz then hit a deep infield single to the shortstop, and runner Park Se-hyeok scored from third base. However, he retired Park Seung-gyu on a swinging strikeout, preventing further runs.

Lee Ui-ri remained on the mound in the bottom of the 4th. After one out, he walked Lee Jae-hyun. He then struck out Kang Min-hon on a swinging strikeout and induced a groundout to first base from Park Se-hyeok. The bottom of the 5th was clean with three consecutive outs: Ryu Ji-hyuk to left field, Kim Sung-yoon to center field, and Gu Ja-wook on a foul fly to first base.

Lee Ui-ri took the mound again in the bottom of the 6th. He retired Diaz on a flyout to left field, but then walked Park Seung-gyu on the sixth pitch. That was it. He handed the mound to Han Jae-seung and allowed a two-run home run to Lee Jae-hyun, raising Lee Ui-ri's earned run total to three.

On this day, KIA's offense failed to ignite, managing only four scattered hits, and they ultimately lost 2-5. Lee Ui-ri took the loss.

Lee Ui-ri's line for the day was 5 1/3 innings, four hits allowed (one home run), three walks, six strikeouts, and three runs allowed (three earned). The reason KIA fans applauded him despite the defeat is that he pitched aggressively with confidence while logging the most innings of the season.

Before this game, Lee Ui-ri had started eight games this season, posting a record of one win and four losses with an ERA of 9.00, showing poor form. Aside from his scoreless outing last month on the 17th against the Doosan Bears, where he pitched five innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out eight, he had not shown any notable performance.

With this game, he lowered his ERA into the 8s. Lee Ui-ri currently holds a record of one win and five losses this season with an ERA of 8.37, 33 1/3 innings pitched, 37 hits allowed (seven home runs), 29 walks, 38 strikeouts, 31 runs allowed (31 earned), a WHIP of 1.98, and a batting average against of 0.285.

Despite his struggles, he did not crumble against the "strong team" Samsung, raising expectations for his next outing.

In fact, as Lee Ui-ri struggled, there were many discussions about sending him down to the minor league. Each time, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho, the manager, expressed trust, saying, "It's good for our team if we can keep a good pitcher no matter what."

The manager said last week, "Actually, (sending him down to the minor league) is the easiest method," adding, "It is our job to make him able to pitch well. We hope he pitches well." He then said, "It will be important to see him once more until the Samsung game on the 16th and find a solution," effectively issuing an ultimatum. And Lee Ui-ri responded to the manager's expectations, making his next appearance a promise for the future.

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*This content was translated by AI.