*This content was translated by AI.
Relief pitcher Lee Ui-ri (24, KIA Tigers).
Though this role is unfamiliar to both observers and himself, it has become a new spark of hope for KIA Tigers.
In the same game on the 17th at Incheon SSG Landers Field, with KIA leading 5-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs and a runner on first, Lee Ui-ri entered as a reliever and delivered a perfect scoreless outing: 1⅓ innings, 21 pitches, no hits allowed, no walks, and three strikeouts.
After switching to relief pitching, Lee Ui-ri recorded consecutive scoreless outings in two games and secured his second win of the season (with six losses) exactly three months later. It was also his first career victory as a reliever.
Drafted as the first overall pick in 2021, Lee Ui-ri won Rookie of the Year in his debut season and recorded double-digit wins for two consecutive years. However, after undergoing elbow surgery due to an injury the following year, he began a downward spiral.
His control issues proved difficult to resolve. This season, he posted a record of 1 win and 5 losses with an ERA of 9.42. Ultimately, he traveled for a short-term study stint at "Next Base Athletic Lab" in Ishikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, last June before returning — and since then, everything has completely changed.
The day before, he made his first-ever relief appearance of his career in the bottom of the eighth inning when his team was trailing 0-6 by a large margin. Although there was no pressure on wins or losses at that point, he issued no walks and delivered bold pitching that left a strong impression. His fastest pitch reached 154 km/h (95.7 mph).
Before the game, Lee Beom-ho, the manager, said: "The ball felt good. I also spoke with the pitching coach, and he mentioned that throwing for about one inning early in the game gives him less fear of walks compared to when he starts and throws longer. That seems to have boosted his confidence. His fastball is naturally tricky once it hits the strike zone, and his breaking balls showed excellent spin and pitching mechanics. I plan to keep using him."
The original plan was to bring Lee Ui-ri in only if starting pitcher Shiraoka Keisho was pulled before the fifth inning. At that point, there wasn't enough trust yet to use him as a reliable reliever.
When Shiraoka allowed a walk with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, the KIA bench moved quickly. With a two-run lead and runners on base, this became another test for Lee Ui-ri, who had limited relief experience. Moreover, the opposing batter was Park Sung-han, ranked third in the league in on-base percentage.
However, "Relief Lee Ui-ri" was completely different from before. Against Park Sung-han, he boldly attacked the inner part of the plate. His first pitch was a fast ball that resulted in a foul tip; his second pitch was an inside slider that moved back toward the batter, giving him a favorable 0-2 count. His third pitch also targeted the inside corner. He then threw a high slider that induced a swinging strikeout to end the inning.
The fifth inning was equally impressive. After facing Go Myeong-jun and falling behind 0-2 with two balls, he regained control with a bold inside fastball and recorded a swinging strikeout with a low-falling slider. Against Jeon Ui-san, who had previously hit a double, he mixed fastballs and sliders effectively, this time opting for an outside slider that dropped away to record three consecutive strikeouts. He relentlessly attacked the inner part of the plate and ended the inning with a third baseman's pop fly.
Of his 21 pitches that day, 14 were strikes, and his fastest pitch again reached 154 km/h (95.7 mph). With such a powerful fastball, he demonstrated that even with just two pitches — fastball and slider — he could dominate batters. He also proved his ability to pitch on consecutive days by appearing in games for two straight days. As Lee Ui-ri left the mound after completing the inning, KIA fans chanted his name and gave him a warm round of applause.
After the game, manager Lee Beom-ho praised: "All pitchers who appeared on the mound delivered strong performances today. Especially Lee Ui-ri, who pitched on consecutive days, contributed significantly to our victory with his steady pitching."
Lee Ui-ri commented: "I'm happy that the team could win. I hope today's momentum carries over into the next game." He added, "I feel more satisfied knowing I could play a part in securing the win rather than just being labeled as the winning pitcher."
Relief pitchers typically have to warm up suddenly before entering games, a challenge even experienced pitchers face. Especially today, Lee Ui-ri entered with runners on base and delivered a flawless performance.
Lee Ui-ri said: "I've always felt that pitching with runners on base works better for me. I'm glad we managed to hold them off effectively in today's situation." He continued, "My warm-up time has always been short, so it's not an issue. (With relief pitching) I think I can focus better. The sense of immersion was great, and that part has made me more stable, which is good."
Although the sample size is small, he recorded no walks or hit-by-pitches in both of his recent relief appearances. Lee Ui-ri explained: "By focusing on one batter at a time, I stopped worrying so much about walks and strikes and instead concentrated only on how to handle each specific batter. That seems to have improved things."
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
