KBO first bullpen appearance also 4 innings KKKKK! KT lineup, unable to withstand even its nemesis, how did KIA's Japanese Asian quota player overcome it?

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers' Japanese Asian quota player, 25-year-old Keisho Shirakawa, overcame the league's top-tier KT Wiz lineup despite an unfamiliar routine.

On the 21st, Shirakawa appeared as the second pitcher in the regular-season away game against KT at Suwon KT Wiz Park, pitching 4 innings, allowing 3 hits, issuing 3 walks, recording 5 strikeouts, and giving up 2 earned runs to lead KIA to an 11-5 victory, securing his second win (2 losses) of the season.

Prior to the game, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho announced a 1+1 strategy featuring second-year right-handed pitcher Kim Tae-hyung (20) and Shirakawa. Manager Lee stated, "We plan to have (Kim) Tae-hyung pitch first, followed immediately by Shirakawa. If Tae-hyung throws 3 innings, Shirakawa will throw 3 to 4 innings to secure the win. We intend to use only our winning combination."

Why did Kim Tae-hyung need to start first in the 1st+1 strategy? This year, Kim Tae-hyung had two appearances against KT with an ERA of 5.06, which was not good. On April 21 at Suwon KT, he started and pitched 3⅓ innings, allowing 3 earned runs. On May 2, he appeared in the bullpen and recorded 2 scoreless innings. Although it was two years ago, Shirakawa had two starts against KT, pitching 5⅓ innings with 5 earned runs (3 self-earned) and 8 scoreless innings, leaving a good memory.

However, KIA chose Kim Tae-hyung as the starter and Shirakawa in the bullpen. Manager Lee explained, "According to the pitching coach, both Shirakawa and (Kim) Tae-hyung have good pitches. However, it was decided that having Tae-hyung pitch first and then following with Shirakawa would be better, so we proceeded that way."

KIA's strategy was only half successful. That day, Kim Tae-hyung pitched 2 innings (34 pitches), allowing 4 hits (2 home runs), issuing 1 walk, recording 1 strikeout, and giving up 3 earned runs, performing poorly. He mixed a fastball with a top speed of 149 km/h (13 pitches) with sliders (7 pitches), changeups (7 pitches), sweepers (4 pitches), and cutters (3 pitches), but only induced two swings and misses.

Shirakawa delivered exactly the expected pitching performance. He mixed a fastball with a top speed of 149 km/h (46 pitches) with sliders (18 pitches), forkballs (10 pitches), curves (5 pitches), and changeups (3 pitches), throwing a total of 82 pitches.

The core batters approached cautiously. At the same time, they threw strikes on the first pitch to gain an advantageous count battle. The reason 46 of the 82nd pitches were recorded as strikes is that they frequently targeted the low outside corner to avoid giving up extra-base hits. As a result, they allowed only one run due to consecutive wild pitches in the third inning against KT's core lineup and ended the sixth inning with just 11 pitches.

After the game, Shirakawa said, "The plan for today's (21st) game was to increase the first-pitch strike ratio and engage quickly. Since the opposing lineup is strong, throwing low resulted in many balls, making it a difficult game. Trusting Han Jun-soo's signs during critical moments was effective."

Shirakawa is an ace from Japan's independent league. Consequently, he has only started in Japan and in the Korean KBO League for the past two years. He said, "Although this was my first appearance after four days of rest, I had no physical issues. However, it was my first time pitching in the bullpen, so it felt awkward. Thanks to the advice from the coaches and bullpen pitchers, I was able to prepare well."

In the five-starter competition, he has taken the lead for now. Manager Lee Beom-ho, upon revealing the 1st+1 strategy, had stated, "Since (Hwang) Dong-ha has entered the starting rotation, we wanted to try using both Kim Tae-hyung and Shirakawa. One of the two pitchers who throws well will be used as a long reliever, and the other will be used in the next starting pitcher's turn."

However, Shirakawa is determined to do his best regardless of his role. Shirakawa smiled and said, "Above all, thanks to the fans who supported us until the end, we were able to win. I believe we were able to secure today's victory because the entire team did their best to repay that support."

He continued, "We received great support even on the road, and our only thought was to repay that support. I am happy to be the winning pitcher, and I will strive to be a player who does his best for the team's victory in my next appearance."

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*This content was translated by AI.