"Lost all three games against KIA → Personal feelings arose": FedEx, who had been seeking revenge, pitched a heroic 99 pitches after just three days of rest! 5⅓ innings, 1 run allowed, "top speed 153 km/h" [PO4 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The "ace" ignited a spirit of sacrifice to save the Lion Army, which had been pushed to the brink. Samsung Lions' foreign pitcher Chris FedEx (30), who took the mound after just three days of rest to shake off the regret of his previous appearance, delivered a perfect game of revenge and met the requirements for a winning pitcher.

Fedex started in the away game against the KIA Tigers in Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Playoffs held at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 30th, pitching a valiant 5⅓ innings with 6 hits allowed, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, and 1 run allowed. His pitch count reached an impressive 99.

It was a superb performance that perfectly erased the nightmare of just four days prior. In Game 1 held in Daegu on the 26th, FedEx had slumped with his head down, collapsing for 5 runs over 4⅔ innings, including surrendering home runs to Harold Castro and Han Jun-soo.

However, a blade of revenge was flashing in FedEx's heart. Ahead of Game 3, FedEx stated, "I wrote down my thoughts like a diary in my notebook and organized the mistakes and points that needed improvement. After doing so, my mind became much clearer." He added, "I faced KIA three times this season and lost all three. It is time to face them with personal feelings. My top priority is to quickly fix the areas I need to improve and thoroughly prepare for my next appearance," burning with determination.

This resolve led to his surprise start in Game 4. Before the game, Samsung Manager Park Jin-man said, "After much deliberation, the most important thing was FedEx's own will. Since it was not a schedule where we could push him aggressively, we closely checked his physical condition, but his determination to go out was very firm." He continued, "The weight of the regular season and the postseason is different. It seems FedEx has accepted the unique atmosphere and sense of responsibility of a short series with all his being." The bench's plan was to check his condition every inning without a set pitch count limit.

Fedex, who took the mound, threw balls vigorously as if forgetting any fatigue from three days of rest. Leading with a powerful fastball reaching a top speed of 153 km/h, he mixed his main weapons—changeup, curveball, two-seam fastball, and cut fastball—at appropriate times to tightly bundle up the KIA lineup.

Fedex's only run allowed that day came in the bottom of the fourth inning. After giving up a double to Kim Do-young with two outs, he issued a hit-by-pitch to Na Sung-bum, facing a bases-loaded threat with runners on first and second. He then allowed a left-field RBI single to Han Jun-soo, conceding one run. However, FedEx did not waver any further and handled the following batters without allowing runs to finish the inning.

The highlight was the bottom of the fifth inning. Facing a tie threat with runners on second and third and two outs while leading 2-1 by a narrow margin, he confronted Castro, his nemesis who had hit a home run in Game 1. FedEx swung for the fences to strike out Castro on a swing-and-miss, then roared from the mound to extinguish the critical fire.

Fedex, having reached his limit pitch count, handed the mound to relief pitcher Lee Seung-min in a bases-loaded threat with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. This was after throwing 99 pitches and holding the opposing team to just 1 run over 5⅓ innings despite the harsh condition of only three days of rest.

Lee Seung-min, who took over the mound, recorded Ha Ju-seok on an infield grounder to first base but issued a hit-by-pitch to Kim Tae-goon, facing a bases-loaded threat with two outs. However, he handled pinch hitter Kim Ho-ryeong with a fly out to left field, ending the inning without allowing runs. Since FedEx's runners in scoring position did not reach home, his earned run average remained at 1 run, and the valuable winning pitcher requirements were completed.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original