'This can't be happening' KBO League 9 clubs on high alert → 'First in club history' monster pitcher: "Will stay in Korea for two more years..."

*This content was translated by AI.

All clubs except the one team he belongs to have been placed on high alert. This comes as Pedro Avila (29), who joined as a replacement foreign pitcher and has delivered historic performances, indicated his intention to continue playing in Korea for about two more years.

On the 4th, SSG secured a decisive 4-0 victory over the Doosan Bears in their 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game at the Incheon SSG Landers Field. With this win, SSG improved to 51 wins, 66 losses, and 5 ties, maintaining sole possession of eighth place in the league.

Avila's performance was the highlight of the game. He pitched a complete game shutout on the day, throwing 9 innings (101 pitches total), allowing just 2 hits, issuing 1 walk, and striking out 5 batters without surrendering a run — marking his first career shutout in the KBO League. This also brought his win total to five for the season.

Avila became the first pitcher in SSG Landers history (since the club's founding in 2021) to record a shutout. Including the franchise's predecessor, SK Wyverns, this marks the 19th shutout in the organization's history. The most recent shutout was thrown by foreign pitcher Scott Diamond on September 15, 2017, against Doosan at Jamsil Stadium, where he pitched 9 innings (105 pitches), allowing 3 hits and striking out 6 batters. This shutout is also the third of the season and the 874th in KBO League history.

Avila did not allow any baserunners until a ground ball single by Jung Soobin in the bottom of the sixth inning with one out. The eighth inning presented the biggest crisis: after one out, he gave up a strikeout on a wild pitch to Ahn Jae-seok, a walk to pinch-hitter Yang Seok-hwan, and an infield hit to Jo Su-haeng, putting runners on all bases with one out. However, he induced Jung Soobin into a ground ball to the shortstop, retiring the runner from third base at home plate, then retired Kim Ki-yeon on a fly ball to left field, escaping the scoring threat. In the ninth inning, after two outs, he allowed a line drive single by Kim Min-seok to center field but struck out Yang Eui-ji on a fly ball to second base, sealing the shutout with a roar.

Avila threw a total of 101 pitches that day: 50 two-seam fastballs, 20 cutters, 20 changeups, and 11 curveballs. His two-seam fastball reached speeds up to 156 km/h. He recorded 67 strikes and 34 balls.

After the game, following interviews with broadcasters and on-field reporters, Avila approached his family and shared an emotional moment. Before speaking with the press, he was also seen shedding tears.

Avila said, "Many moments of my efforts leading up to this point came flooding back. I've never recorded a shutout in my entire baseball career until now, so achieving this result brought me immense personal joy."

He continued, explaining the ninth-inning situation: "After completing the eighth inning, I volunteered to pitch one more inning to the manager and pitching coach. Fortunately, they trusted me, allowing me to return to the mound for the ninth."

Avila added, "I often told my wife that 'someday I will definitely throw a shutout.' During my last outing, when I pitched seven innings, she jokingly said, 'You didn't complete two more innings, so you couldn't throw a shutout.' I promised her, 'Next time, I'll show you for sure.' Keeping that promise made this achievement even more meaningful."

In the ninth inning with two outs and a runner on first base, the pitching coach visited the mound. What did they discuss? Avila said, "When the coach came up, all I could think was, 'Please don't take me off the mound.' He told me, 'Just focus on facing the batter. We have a lead, so even if you give up a home run, it's fine. Only worry about competing with the hitter.'"

There was a moment when the shutout nearly fell apart. In the eighth inning with one out and bases loaded, Jung Soobin hit a ground ball to the shortstop, which Park Sung-han fielded. Instead of throwing to second base, he made a bold throw home to prevent any runs from scoring. Avila praised the play: "The ball wasn't moving that fast; honestly, I never expected a throw home. But Park Sung-han threw it home and prevented a run. Personally, I think Park is extremely professional and plays hard every single game." He gave him a thumbs-up.

Regarding the moment his perfect game was broken in the sixth inning with one out, Avila said, "I didn't feel much emotion or regret. I actually thought he would be out, but unfortunately, the throw went slightly off target and resulted in a baserunner. In baseball, such plays can happen to anyone at any time." He displayed a magnanimous mindset.

After the game, SSG manager Lee Seung-yong said, "Avila dominated the opposing lineup with flawless pitching, proving himself as the best pitcher in the KBO League right now. Throughout the game, he stayed steady and fulfilled his role perfectly. As a manager, I deeply respect Avila for securing this shutout. I also want to thank the fielders who supported him with solid defense to make the shutout possible."

He continued, "Thank you to all fans who sent enthusiastic support to start our final weekend home series on a high note. On the 5th, there is a retirement ceremony for coach Kim Sung-hyun scheduled, so I hope many fans will come to the stadium and join us in celebrating."

Avila has appeared in nine games this season, posting a record of 5 wins and 1 loss with an ERA of 1.40. To other clubs, he has become a true source of fear.

When asked about future contract negotiations and his plans, Avila said, "I want to show strong performances not only next year but also the year after." When questioned whether he would stay in Korea, he replied, "I can't guarantee 100%, but I definitely want to remain in Korea for at least two more years," expressing strong determination.

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*This content was translated by AI.