'Closing pitcher threw 46 pitches in a bases-loaded walk horror show.' The bench remained motionless, squandering a '90% win probability' as NC suffered a 'ninth-inning catastrophe'.

*This content was translated by AI.

Although he held off the eighth-inning threat perfectly, his control wavered once the ninth inning began. He issued five walks, surrendering three runs solely via bases-loaded walks and allowing the tying score. Although there were multiple opportunities to substitute pitchers, the NC Dinos bench remained immovable, ultimately settling for a draw that felt like a defeat.

On the 26th, NC drew a 5-5 tie against SSG Landers in an away game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League at Incheon SSG Landers Field after extra innings.

NC, which had to rush desperately to qualify for autumn baseball, fell into a two-game losing streak and desperately needed a victory, but missed out on winning due to poor control in the final moments and even more painful judgment errors.

Riley Thompson, who boasted a 100% win rate this season, pitched brilliantly over six innings, recording 11 strikeouts while allowing only one run, while the lineup also contributed five runs to support him.

Jeon Sa-min, who took the mound in the bottom of the eighth with NC leading 5-2, began to waver. He walked Kim Jae-hwan and struck out Jeon Ui-san, yet still issued a walk to Choi Ji-hoon. With one out and runners on first and second, closer Lim Ji-min entered the game. He got Han Yu-seom out for a left-field fly ball but committed an error that allowed runners to advance to second and third base before issuing a straight fastball walk to Jo Hyung-woo, creating a bases-loaded crisis. However, he struck out Ahn Sang-hyun with four consecutive sliders on four pitches.

Although he held off the threat, it was a scene that foreshadowed a major disaster. His fastball control failed against Jo Hyung-woo, and with no room for additional walks, it appeared he would only engage Ahn Sang-hyun with sliders.

Against the first batter of the bottom of the ninth, Jeong Jun-jae, both the first and second pitches missed the zone. He then threw three and four pitches into the strike zone, inducing strikes and foul balls to create a 2-2 count, before opting for a forkball on the fifth pitch to record the first out with an infield grounder to first base.

He gave up a hit to Lee Ji-young and, in his at-bat against Blye Madris, threw four consecutive fastballs initially but struggled with control. As Madris continued to swing the bat, putting him ahead 1-2, Lim tried to tempt him with a breaking ball but once again issued a walk.

Lim Ji-min, who struck out Kim Jae-hwan for a left-field fly ball using mostly breaking balls, then walked Jeon Ui-san, falling into a bases-loaded crisis. With only one more out needed and being the closer, he could have been given another chance.

However, he failed to consistently attack the strike zone against Choi Ji-hoon, issuing a walk that resulted in a bases-loaded run. The score was now two runs apart, with still two outs and bases loaded. At this point, manager Lee Ho-jun went directly to the mound. There was no intention to substitute. It was merely an effort to encourage Lim Ji-min.

Even so, Lim Ji-min could not regain his form from the eighth inning. Han Yu-seom endured the wild fastballs. His breaking balls also failed to command, resulting in another bases-loaded walk.

Hong Dae-in, a batter with little experience, stepped up to the plate, and it seemed the NC bench judged they could get him out this time, sticking with Lim Ji-min. However, from the first pitch, a fastball at eye level was thrown. It was the moment they confirmed his complete lack of control, yet they watched on without making a change. The three fastballs were all high, and the slider intended to induce a foul ball dropped too low. Ultimately, another walk was issued, tying the score 5-5.

The NC bench finally switched pitchers to Son Ju-hwan. Coincidentally, Son struck out Ahn Sang-hyun with a swinging strikeout. In the tenth inning, Son also pitched cleanly without allowing any runs, and Shin Young-woo, who entered in the eleventh, recorded two strikeouts and delivered a perfect pitching performance. The result was inevitably more regrettable.

Even if the closer is said to possess the most overwhelming power among bullpen pitchers, his pitch count was rising while he lacked control. While proactive measures might have been difficult, they could have substituted him after the first two bases-loaded walks. With two outs and bases loaded before Choi Ji-hoon's at-bat—the batter who surrendered the first bases-loaded walk—NC's win probability stood at 90.3%. In fact, even before engaging in a battle with Choi Ji-hoon, his pitch count had already reached 31 pitches.

Even after allowing one run, NC still held an overwhelming advantage with a win probability of 81.4%. Even after surrendering a bases-loaded walk to Han Yu-seom, the opportunity to turn things around remained at 70.8%, but ultimately no change was made, resulting in a draw that was tantamount to a defeat and may even trigger a greater fallout.

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*This content was translated by AI.