*This content was translated by AI.
"I thought I could easily handle two consecutive multi-inning outings."
It was a pitching performance that made it clear why he earned the title of "thousand troops and ten thousand horses." For Go Woo-seok (28, LG Twins), who returned to his former team after three years following his challenge in Major League Baseball (MLB), the role didn't matter. He stepped onto the mound whenever the team needed him and threw pitches without allowing a single baserunner over two days.
On the 16th, Go Woo-seok pitched a perfect 2⅔ innings at Changwon NC Park in Gyeongnam during an away game against NC Dinos in the 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League regular season, leading LG to a 9-2 victory.
The situation was tense from the start. In the bottom of the 6th inning with LG leading 3-2, John Kennedy walked Blaine Cream and allowed a double to the gap between left and center by Kim Hwi-jip, putting LG in a no-out, second-and-third base crisis. Park Geon-woo was struck out, but the situation remained two outs, second-and-third bases. When Lee Woo-seong reached a 1-ball, 1-strike count, the LG bench made a move. Go Woo-seok replaced Kennedy on the mound.
One pitch was enough. Go Woo-seok boldly threw an outside cutter, and Lee Woo-seong's hit went toward the third baseman. Out. In just one pitch, he erased what had been NC's most dangerous moment — their best chance to tie or even take the lead. After the game, Go Woo-seok reflected, "I think it worked out well because I tried to get ahead in the count quickly."
His mission didn't end there. He returned to the mound in the 7th inning as well. Cheon Jae-hwan was retired on a groundout to third base, and Ahn Jung-yeol on a fly out to center field — requiring only three pitches total. Against Kim Han-byul, he struck him out on just three pitches using a powerful four-seam fastball clocked at 154 km/h.
Go Woo-seok stayed on the mound for the 8th inning as well. He turned Park Min-woo into a groundout to second base before striking out Kwon Hee-dong and Blaine consecutively. His final line: 2⅔ innings, no hits allowed, no walks, four strikeouts, scoreless. He recorded seven outs with just 21 pitches and earned the win.
What's even more impressive is that he had already handled a multi-inning outing the day before. On the 15th against NC, Go Woo-seok entered in relief after starter Carlos Karasko in the top of the 6th with two outs and runners on first and second. That time, he also pitched a perfect 1⅓ innings using just 18 pitches, contributing to LG's 3-2 victory.
Over two days: 3⅔ innings, 39 pitches. No hits allowed, no walks. He recorded 11 outs without letting a single batter reach first base. Despite pitching on consecutive days and handling multi-inning outings both times, Go Woo-seok showed no signs of concern.
Go Woo-seok said, "My current condition is good. Anyway, I'll have rest tomorrow, and as a relief pitcher, if the situation doesn't allow it, I can take time off." He added, "I thought I could easily handle two consecutive multi-inning outings. I stepped onto the mound with the mindset of giving my best every time I go out."
For LG, this was exactly the reinforcement they needed at the most critical moment. Go Woo-seok is a proven relief pitcher with 139 career saves in the KBO League. In 2022, he led the league with 42 saves and became the saves champion. In 2023, he secured the final out of the Korean Series, completing LG's first championship title in 29 years.
He then set his sights on MLB after that season. After playing for four teams in the U.S., he finally stepped onto a Big League mound with the Minnesota Twins in July this year. However, after appearing in just four games, he was designated for assignment (DFA) and ultimately returned to his former team by signing a one-year contract worth 500 million won with LG on the 2nd. His actual earnings amount to 150 million won, representing three months of the remaining season.
LG also desperately needed Go Woo-seok. Closer Yoo Young-chan was out for the season due to right elbow surgery, and key bullpen resources like Kim Jin-sung and Jang Hyun-sik were sidelined by injuries. In the final stretch of the regular season standings race, LG needed a reliable card to lead through the path that eventually led to Son Ju-young.
Go Woo-seok has quickly filled that role. In five games since his return, he has recorded two wins, one hold, and one save with an ERA of 0.00. He hasn't allowed a single earned run yet. Although he cannot participate in the postseason due to KBO regulations, he remains one of LG's most powerful weapons until the end of the regular season.
After the game, Yeom Kyung-yeop (58), LG's General Manager, said, "Go Woo-seok took responsibility for 2⅔ innings with effective pitching and played the biggest role in our victory. I want to praise him."
Go Woo-seok didn't look too far ahead. He first expressed gratitude, saying, "I'm truly thankful that everyone traveled so far to support us, and thanks to that, we were able to secure a win." He then added, "There aren't many regular-season games left. I will give my all until the end with the mindset of winning every remaining game."
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*This content was translated by AI.
