'One win followed by four losses, then five straight wins': How Go Young-pyo overcame the crisis and began his 'five consecutive quality starts' magic with a new weapon [Suwon]

*This content was translated by AI.

Go Young-pyo (35, KT Wiz), who was significantly shaken early in the season, is now staging a complete turnaround. He has recorded five consecutive quality starts (six or more innings pitched with three or fewer earned runs allowed) and secured five straight victories.

On the 23rd, Go started against the SSG Landers in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game at Suwon KT Wiz Park. Over six innings, he threw 100 pitches, allowing eight hits (one home run), no walks, and striking out four batters while surrendering only two runs.

With the team leading 8-2 entering the seventh inning, Go handed the ball to Sugimoto Kouki, who secured the win as the team dominated 13-2. This marked the team's sixth victory of the season (with four losses). Go's ERA dropped from 4.38 to 4.28.

Most encouragingly, Go has recorded five consecutive quality starts since the the 28th game against the Doosan Bears. Of his 14 appearances this season, he failed to complete five innings only once. Since the 15th, he has consistently pitched six or more innings in every start.

Considering Go's reputation, it might seem somewhat disappointing that he allowed runs in every game this season. However, with his ERA at 2.61 over the last five games and five consecutive wins, his upward momentum is so strong that there is no cause for concern. In particular, after his second start of the season on April 7 against the Lotte Giants, where he earned a win with five innings and one run allowed, he fell into a four-game losing streak and his ERA dropped to 5.33. But since the the 28th game against Doosan, his performance has completely changed.

The start was disappointing. In the top of the first inning with one out, Park Sung-han hit a single. With two outs and a runner on first, Guillermo Heredia hit a sweeper for a 134.3-meter home run that cleared the center field wall.

But that was all. Fortunately, the team's offense turned the tide in the bottom of the second inning, led by Sam Hilliard's two-run home run, taking a 3-2 lead. Go then delivered a more stable and confident performance.

Except for the fourth inning, Go allowed baserunners in every inning, but he induced groundouts at critical moments, preventing any additional runs and delivering a clean outing.

A peculiar situation unfolded in the top of the sixth inning. Kim Jae-hwan was struck out looking, but Heredia's hit struck the third base bag and became an infield hit. Similarly, Jeon Ui-san's hard-hit ball struck first baseman Kim Hyun-soo's glove and bounced into an infield hit.

With one out and runners on first and second, Go allowed two baserunners for the first time that day. He got Go Myeong-jun to ground out to the second baseman and struck out Choi Ji-hoon with a swinging strikeout, extinguishing the threat himself.

Go's aggressive pitching, with 68 of his 100 pitches being strikes, effectively controlled the SSG lineup. His two-seam fastball, clocked between 138 km/h and 133 km/h, was thrown 40 times. His signature changeup was used 50 times. He also deployed his new weapon, the sweeper, 10 times, confusing the SSG batters.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol praised Go, saying, "Although Go Young-pyo allowed two runs early, he demonstrated stable game management and crisis control skills afterward, laying the foundation for victory."

Go Young-pyo commented, "I feel great to win our first midweek game. My pitching balance is gradually improving, leading to good results. Today, the batters provided significant runs and defensive support, which helped me maintain a comfortable balance."

Despite the sixth-inning scare, Go finished exactly at 100 pitches and closed the game cleanly. Go said, "There was a strange hit in the sixth inning, and I really wanted to finish quickly. The beginning and end are always difficult." He added, "The pitching coach helped me reset my rhythm, allowing me to recover."

Go also expressed satisfaction with his newly adopted sweeper. Of the 10th sweepers he threw that day, eight were strikes. Although the home run allowed to Heredia was hit off a sweeper, the game confirmed that the pitch is effective enough to be used as a third pitch. Go stated, "I'm using the sweeper effectively to get ahead in the count. Since batters are expecting the changeup, it seems to be working well. It's a pitch that is well-supported."

Go noted that his chemistry with the catcher has become more efficient in attacking batters. "My connection with Sung-taek is improving even more. We have been studying the catcher's lead and the trajectory of pitches entering the ABS zone extensively."

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*This content was translated by AI.