*This content was translated by AI.
Two days prior, LG Twins failed to hold an 8-0 lead after having led 9-0. This time, they again took an 8-0 lead before being shaken in the third inning by a hit-by-pitch and an error. Carlos KARAISCO (39) prevented further collapse.
On the 23rd, KARAISCO started against Hanwha Eagles at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ball Park in a regular-season Shinhan SOL KBO League game, pitching six innings with five hits allowed, three hit-by-pitches, three strikeouts, and three earned runs (two unearned), leading LG to a 12-3 victory.
The game was fraught with concern from the start. Two days prior (on the 21st), LG had led Hanwha 9-0 through the third inning at the same venue but suffered a shocking 15-11 comeback loss. Starting pitcher KARAISCO also struggled significantly in his previous outing on the 16th against Jamsil SSG Landers, allowing five runs over 5⅓ innings, putting him under pressure to regain trust.
On this day as well, LG took an 8-0 lead before the third inning ended with Moon Jeong-bin's home run in the first and Song Chan-ui's three-run homer to left field in the second. However, the mood shifted in the bottom of the third when leadoff batter Heo In-seo reached base on a hit-by-pitch, and second baseman Shin Min-jae failed to cleanly handle Park Jung-hyun's ground ball.
Compounding the issue, KARAISCO was hit again by Kim Tae-yeon's pitch, loading the bases and prolonging LG's crisis. KARAISCO gave up a one-run single to Moon Hyun-bin on the first pitch to left field and a two-run double to Han Ji-yoon after a full-count battle to center field, causing significant trouble. To make matters worse, shortstop Gu Bon-hyeok fumbled the throw on Kang Baek-ho's potential double-play grounder, once again loading the bases.
Despite the nightmare repeating two days prior, a veteran with 343 Major League (ML) appearances stood on the mound this day. KARAISCO mixed cutters, two-seam fastballs, and curves effectively against slugger Noh Si-hwan, keeping them low in the zone to record three strikeouts. Against Chae Eun-seong, he similarly located pitches low and outside, inducing a ground ball handled by the shortstop to end the inning.
After overcoming the crisis, the veteran's game management shone through. He surrendered one hit-by-pitch in the fourth but allowed no runs. In the fifth, despite a leadoff batter reaching base, he induced Kang Baek-ho into a 3-6-3 double play. Concerns about declining velocity after 70 pitches were addressed in the sixth when KARAISCO struck out Noh Si-hwan and finished the inning in just seven pitches. He ultimately achieved his third quality start of the season (six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs). Despite concerns that he would tire after 70 pitches, KARAISCO struck out Noh Si-hwan on a swinging strikeout in the bottom of the sixth and got Chae Eun-seong and Lee Do-yoon to fly out and ground out on first-pitch counts.
As a result, LG minimized bullpen usage. John Kennedy pitched scoreless relief in the seventh, Kim Young-woo in the eighth, and Son Ju-young in the ninth, each throwing one inning, allowing LG to conclude a difficult week with a victory.
After the game, KARAISCO said, "We gave up three runs in the third and had errors. But since all players are human, mistakes can happen. What matters is that everyone stayed composed, united as a team, broke the momentum, and secured the win." He added, "After the fifth inning, the coach asked if I could go one more inning, and I said yes. After the sixth, I told him I'd like to continue, but the pitching coach suggested it might be better to finish while things were going well, so that's what we did today."
On this day, KARAISCO threw a total of 90 pitches: 25 two-seam fastballs, 17 cutters, 15 sliders, 13 four-seam fastballs, eight curves, eight changeups, and four sweepers. This exceeded the expectations of the team's manager before the game. LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop noted that while KARAISCO is still in his build-up phase and tends to lose velocity and command when exceeding 70–80 pitches, "our starters only need to go five innings to be competitive."
Nevertheless, KARAISCO remains confident. He stated, "My current condition is fine. I'm recovering well by preparing every four to five days. Personally, I believe a starter must pitch at least seven innings, so that's how I prepare. Physically and mentally, I will always train with that in mind."
Despite heavy rain the previous day (on the 22nd), temperatures soared to a high of 35 degrees Celsius on this day. Even in the sweltering heat, 17,000 fans filled the stadium for the season's 45th sellout. KARAISCO expressed his gratitude: "I believe today's victory was thanks to our fans who gave passionate support regardless of whether they were home or away, and regardless of the weather. Their nonstop cheering from the first to the ninth inning transmitted energy and gave me strength. Thank you for coming out regardless of home or away status, and I ask for your continued support in the remaining games."
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*This content was translated by AI.
