"I even changed my flight ticket": Veteran with 112 MLB wins celebrates first fall victory as former teammates all show up... KARA'sco, who beat Doosan, moved to tears [WC1 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Veteran Carlos KARA'sco (39, LG Twins), who has 112 career wins in Major League Baseball (MLB), was joined by special guests for his first postseason victory.

KARA'sco started the first game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason (PS) Wild Card deciding series against the Doosan Bears on the 14th at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium, pitching six innings with four hits allowed, one walk, three strikeouts, and one run allowed to lead LG to a 4-1 victory.

With this, fourth-place LG in the regular season utilized their one-game advantage to advance to the Junior Playoffs (Junior PO). Meanwhile, fifth-place Doosan ended their fall baseball campaign after just one game.

On this day, KARA'sco displayed a pitching style completely opposite to that of Doosan ace Gwak Bin (27), who recorded 10 strikeouts with fastballs reaching up to 158 km/h. He mixed six pitches—top-speed 149 km/h four-seam fastball, cutter, changeup, two-seam fastball, slider, and curveball—for a total of 84 pitches.

In particular, he strung together 13 consecutive batters into outs through the first out of the sixth inning, completely stifling the Doosan lineup. He left the mound in the top of the seventh inning with runners on second and third bases and no outs, but John Kennedy (32) minimized further runs allowed, preserving KARA'sco's win.

It was an even more valuable victory. KARA'sco had thrown 85 pitches in a game against the Lotte Giants on the 9th and returned to the mound after only four days of rest. It was not an easy schedule for a 39-year-old veteran, but with seasoned game management, he did not fall behind in the starting pitcher matchup against Gwak Bin.

Above all, it was a victory of special personal significance. Although KARA'sco had appeared in postseason stages during his long MLB career, he had never been credited with a win. Then, after coming to Korea, he secured his first postseason victory.

After the game, KARA'sco met with reporters and said, "I didn't have a playoff win in the big leagues. I am even happier that I could win today." He added, "It is especially meaningful that I was able to win here at Jamsil Stadium in front of our LG fans."

There were those who shared his joy. They were Kluber and Abreu, with whom he had eaten from the same pot during his Cleveland days. KARA'sco and Kluber played together for the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) from 2016 to 2020. During the period when KARA'sco was a key starter for the team, Kluber also grew into a pillar of the starting rotation.

In particular, in 2017, KARA'sco recorded an 18-6 record with a 3.29 ERA, and Kluber posted a 12-6 record with a 3.11 ERA, contributing to Cleveland's American League Central Division championship. The following year, they both achieved double-digit wins, taking charge of the team's starting rotation. Their journey in the big leagues ended when Kluber was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2020, but their friendship continued.

This time, too, Kluber showed his friendship through action. He had originally planned to depart on the 14th, but he even changed his flight ticket to cheer for KARA'sco's start. KARA'sco said, "Kluber was originally scheduled to leave today, but he came to support me by changing his plane ticket. I am very grateful."

His bond with another friend, Abreu, is also unique. The two played together for Cleveland in 2024. At the time, KARA'sco started 21 games, while Abreu, who joined from San Diego mid-season, appeared in 50 relief games, recording a 5-1 record with one save and a 3.25 ERA.

That year, Cleveland reached the top of the American League Central Division. Abreu contributed to the team in the postseason as well, going scoreless over four innings in three games. He was someone who shared the joy of advancing to fall baseball with KARA'sco in the same clubhouse.

KARA'sco said, "Actually, SSG's Abreu also came to see me. I played baseball with Kluber for seven years and with Abreu for two years." He added, "I want to convey a message of thanks to my long-time friends who came to support me in this important game today."

His affection for his long-time former team remained strong. Cleveland is also currently competing in the MLB postseason. KARA'sco said, "Cleveland is a team where both of us spent a long time. Although we are playing the playoffs here, I always watch the games with my heart supporting Cleveland." However, he emphasized, "Since we are playing the playoffs here now, I want to focus on the remaining games."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original