"I want fewer defensive plays and more strikeouts..." Park Chan-ho's joke drew 'KKKKKKKKK', and Benjamin's crazy sprint after contract extension: '25 innings scoreless streak'

*This content was translated by AI.

5 games, 0 wins, 3 losses, ERA 4.10 → 3 games, 3 straight wins, ERA 0.

Wes Benjamin (33, Doosan Bears), known as "Misaeng," has become a completely different pitcher after his contract extension. He transformed into an overwhelming pitcher, even fulfilling a teammate's joke: "Try to get more strikeouts."

On the 2nd, Benjamin started against the Hanwha Eagles at Seoul Songpa-gu Jamsil Baseball Stadium in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game, throwing 97 pitches over 7 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, and recording 9 strikeouts in a scoreless performance.

Benjamin continued his scoreless streak over 24⅓ innings, going from 3 consecutive losses to 3 consecutive wins. In particular, after his contract extension, he maintained scoreless outings in 3 straight games, lowering his ERA from 2.61 to 2.27.

He has already recorded his fifth quality start (starting pitcher throwing 6 or more innings with 3 or fewer earned runs) while averaging more than 5⅔ innings per game. If he soon reaches the required innings, he is expected to secure a top position in the ERA category. Currently, Ariel Jurado (Samsung) leads the ERA category with 2.17.

Benjamin, who played for KT Wiz for three consecutive years starting in 2022, posted 33 wins and 21 losses, demonstrating his presence with stable pitching as a left-handed pitcher.

After leaving the KBO League for a year, Benjamin returned to Korea in an unexpected way. When Doosan's foreign pitcher Chris Flexen was sidelined due to injury, Doosan brought Benjamin in as a temporary replacement. The contract duration was six weeks, with a value of $50,000 (approximately 76 million won).

Now, even if Flexen returns to full health, one might wonder if he could pitch like this. Flexen's delayed return led to a six-week extension contract starting from the 20th of last month until July 1st for $50,000, after which Benjamin began delivering even more overwhelming pitching. On the 21st of last month, he earned his first win of the season with a perfect 8-inning scoreless performance against the NC Dinos, and on the 27th, he secured consecutive wins with a 7-inning scoreless outing against the KT Wiz. Benjamin then continued a scoreless streak of 18 innings from the 4th inning of the KIA Tigers game on the 14th.

His dominance continued on this day as well. He mixed two types of fastballs, clocking up to 149 km/h, and also utilized a cutter (24 pitches), curveball (19 pitches), changeup (16 pitches), and sweeper (8 pitches), overwhelming Hanwha batters with a diverse repertoire.

Benjamin retired the side in order in the first inning. In the second, he struck out Kang Baek-ho, Noh Si-hwan, and Heo In-seo. He allowed one walk to Moon Hyun-bin in the fourth but continued a no-hit performance through two outs in the fifth. Later, he gave up a triple to the right side to Kim Tae-yeon but finished the inning without allowing any runs.

In the sixth, he allowed a hit and a stolen base to leadoff batter Sim Woo-jun, putting him in a scoring position crisis. However, he retired Lee Won-seok, Yonatan Peraza, and Moon Hyun-bin with three strikeouts, extinguishing the danger — a highlight of the game. After throwing 92 pitches, Benjamin returned to the mound in the seventh, retiring leadoff batter Kang Baek-ho with a groundout to the shortstop before handing the ball to Kim Jung-woo and exiting.

He recorded 9 strikeouts on the day, with his decisive pitches including the sweeper (4), cutter (2), and a mix of fastball, cutter, and changeup (1 each).

After the game, Benjamin met with reporters and said, "In a way, I think our team showed all the parts where we can do well. The defense made great plays that helped me a lot, and the batters scored when needed, so I felt at ease." He added, "Especially, Lee Young-ha did a great job as a closer in a difficult game, which I think allowed us to win."

Despite his overwhelming pitching, Benjamin praised his teammates. "Outfielder Cameron made great plays on the ball, and every time I looked back, Park Chan-ho made great plays. The players made countless great defensive plays," he said.

He continued, "There's another player I must not forget. 'Power hitter' Jung Soobin made great defensive plays in the outfield, allowing me to continue pitching, so I want to mention him again." He expressed gratitude to Jung Soobin, who is currently on a historic home run pace for the season.

The reason Benjamin was able to record 9 strikeouts today was due to a special request from Park Chan-ho. Benjamin said, "I didn't even know I had 9 strikeouts. Honestly, before the game, Park Chan-ho jokingly said, 'Try to get more strikeouts. I want fewer defensive plays.' I didn't expect the results to turn out like this," and smiled.

Although the joke was taken in good humor, Benjamin ended up recording the most strikeouts of the season, making life easier for the infield, while Park Chan-ho and other fielders lightened Benjamin's burden with consecutive great defensive plays.

In particular, Park Chan-ho fielded a ground ball hit by Kang Baek-ho, who led off the sixth inning, and made a throw to record an out. Benjamin said, "Park Chan-ho plays as if he's enjoying the game. Having a player like Park Chan-ho fielding behind me is an honor for me and a huge source of strength." He once again expressed his gratitude.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.