'157km Boom' An Woo-jin's Lonely Effort, Quietly Achieves 2G Consecutive QS! Showcased the Demeanor of the League's Top Ace

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes' 'right-handed fireballer' An Woo-jin (27) regained the stature of the 'league's top ace' in his best performance yet, but swallowed his disappointment due to the batting lineup that ultimately failed to deliver. Nevertheless, he delivered outstanding pitching, achieving two consecutive quality starts (six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs).

Under the leadership of manager Seol Jong-jin (53), the Kiwoom Heroes lost the away game against the Samsung Lions at the Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League' on the 18th, 3-4, despite An Woo-jin's lonely yet dazzling performance as the starting pitcher, due to a bullpen meltdown.

Although the team lost, An Woo-jin's performance on the mound was unparalleled. An Woo-jin pitched against the Samsung lineup for six innings, allowing only four hits, recording seven strikeouts, two walks, and one earned run. An Woo-jin, who recorded a quality start for the first time in 1,016 days in the Hanwha game at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 12th, has now achieved two consecutive quality starts, declaring a perfect comeback.

Once again, An Woo-jin's most powerful weapon today was his overwhelming velocity, hitting '157km' on the scoreboard. The Samsung batters were helpless against the combination of his powerful fastball and sharp breaking balls unleashed from the mound. Following the Hanwha game (topping out at 159km), he showcased fastballs in the high 150s for two consecutive games, proving to himself that his physical condition is fully back on track.

In fact, An Woo-jin, who has been in a rehabilitation phase this season, had been inconsistent until early this month. He collapsed in the Doosan game on the 6th, allowing six earned runs in three innings, swallowing his disappointment. However, after thorough reflection and analysis, he became a completely different pitcher. Following his outstanding performance of six innings with two earned runs in the Hanwha game on the 12th, he carried his momentum all the way to the away game in Daegu today, clearly demonstrating why he is Kiwoom's undisputed ace.

However, the batting lineup, which was incredibly quiet, held back the ace. An Woo-jin, who did his part by holding the line to just one earned run over six innings, left the mound with a 3-1 lead, but Park Jeong-hoon allowed a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the ninth, Park Jin-hyeong ultimately allowed a walk-off run, bowing his head.

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*This content was translated by AI.