*This content was translated by AI.
"He must have been deeply humiliated."
Kim Kyung-moon (68), manager of the Hanwha Eagles, hoped that the new foreign pitcher from Major League Baseball (MLB), who had struggled in his recent outings, would deliver a strong performance to restore his bruised pride. However, those expectations were shattered.
On the 14th, Zimmerman started against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in an away game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League. Over 5 innings, he threw 95 pitches, allowing 10 hits (3 home runs), issuing 1 walk, recording 5 strikeouts, and surrendering 6 earned runs.
Zimmerman had joined Hanwha to rescue the team after Will Hernandez struggled. In his first game, he delivered a scoreless performance over 4 innings. His aggressive pitching shone through, and above all, his sharp control stood out.
However, in the game against KT Wiz on the 1st, he allowed 8 hits over 4 innings and gave up 7 runs, becoming the losing pitcher. Before the game, Manager Kim said, "Korea must still be unfamiliar to him. He likely got hit more than expected, so his pride must have been deeply hurt."
He appeared to be well-prepared. Through the third inning, he delivered clean pitching without any significant crisis, throwing only 37 pitches. Although he gave up a solo home run to Koo Ja-wook in the top of the fourth, he struck out all three batters in the bottom of the fourth, demonstrating his resilience.
However, he lowered his head in the fifth inning. Samsung batters seemed to have read Zimmerman's pitching patterns and swung with confidence. Kang Min-ho and Lee Jae-hyun hit back-to-back home runs. Kang Min-ho targeted a high-velocity 143 km/h fastball at a high location, while Lee Jae-hyun attacked a 135 km/h slider low in the zone.
Even after allowing home runs, he gave up three consecutive hits to Kim Ji-chan, Kim Sung-yoon, and Koo Ja-wook, surrendering another run. After striking out the next three batters in order to end the inning, Zimmerman returned in the sixth but allowed a surprise bunt single to Ryu Ji-hyuk and was hit by an additional hit from Kang Min-ho before being pulled from the game.
Relief pitcher Lee Min-woo brought both inherited runners home, raising Zimmerman's earned run total to 6. After also giving up a solo home run to Koo Ja-wook, the score quickly widened to 1-8. This inning effectively sealed the outcome of the game.
Before the game, Manager Kim said, "It would be ideal if we could prevent runs, but if our pitching can last through the fifth or sixth innings so that we can fight back, it will be a good game." Except for holding on until the fifth inning, this was by no means a satisfying performance.
He threw 41 pitches using two types of fastballs, with his fastest clocking in at 147 km/h. In addition, he mixed in sliders (25 pitches), curves (15 pitches), changeups (12 pitches), and cutters (2 pitches), but Samsung batters easily exploited them.
He allowed 10 hits, more than in the previous game, and especially today, he surrendered three home runs. Although he was praised for his sharp control, that strength did not materialize, and he ultimately became easy prey for Samsung's batters.
To pursue a playoff challenge, Hanwha invested significantly in late July with an option clause worth up to $440,000 (approximately 621 million won), yet he has not yet provided substantial support. With two consecutive losses, his ERA soared from 7.88 to 9.00. The replacement foreign pitcher who is failing to fulfill his role is once again causing concern for Hanwha.
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*This content was translated by AI.
