Chapter 588 – Episode 580. Wall. (3)

This third game was a very meaningful game for the Hwasan Falcons, who are on a two-game losing streak in the series. Since the inception of professional baseball in 1982, there has never been a case in which a team that was three games behind in the Korean Series won the championship through a reverse sweep, and it was a record never seen in the World Series. In other words, if they were to lose three times, second place was almost guaranteed.

In addition, the team’s victory in this game was important because it was promised that ace Seonghyun would appear in Game 4 if the team achieved one win. If Seonghyun appears in Game 4, the starting matchup will be Seonghyun vs. Park Junhyung. It was a matchup that we could not afford to lose.

However, if the team recorded a loss in Game 3, Seonghyun’s appearance in Game 4 would be cancelled. Sung Hyun, who pitched in Game 1, pitching in Game 4 meant pitching after three days of rest, and for Sung Hyun, who had suffered from injuries during his time in the major leagues, it meant sacrificing quite a bit for the team.

But after three losses, the possibility of winning disappears?

Moon Ki-taek, who has to coach next year as well, did not want to have Seong-hyun start the 4th game. Therefore, the possibility that both coach Moon Ki-taek and the team’s ace Seong Hyun would start after a three-day break was based on the premise that they won the third game.

Perfect!

[Williams’ hit! Ki-Gyeongju, who was on second base, runs home! The ball goes to second base! Prevents additional bases from being advanced without throwing home. Ki Ki-ju, who stands and hits home! And the batter and runner stop at first base. Score 4:0!]

Those plans fall apart with Williams’s wedge guitar. A situation with a strong sense of defeat… But still, I couldn’t give up. Because being a professional meant doing your best even if it seemed like you were going to lose the game.

[Choi Jin-cheol’s batted ball! Shortstop front! Second base! First base! Chae Jae-hyun ends the inning with a double play!]

[For the volcano, this is fortunate. This could have led to many scores, but he successfully blocked it with a double play.]

[AT Thunders adds 3 runs in this inning alone, ending the inning with a score of 4:0! The game now goes to the bottom of the third inning.]

Even in a situation where defeat was in sight, Chae Jae-hyeon finished the inning with strength, and manager Moon Ki-taek also called a pitching coach to do the best he could.

“Director…”

“Get Minjun ready first.”

Although he is said to be Korea’s second starter after Seonghyeon, Chae Jae-hyun is a pitcher with no experience on a big stage like the Korean Series. It was common for young pitchers to shake under the pressure of the Korean Series, and Moon Ki-taek also knew what this situation was like through his previous experience in the Korean Series.

“Next time a runner gets on base, I immediately switch to Minjun.”

“I understand.”

The key now is for Kim Min-jun, a former starting pitcher, to have time to warm up. Kim Min-jun, who was the 5th starter, was not included in the starting rotation due to other starters, but Kim Min-jun was a pitcher who had enough performance to be the 3rd or 4th starter in a team with a weak starting pitcher, so Moon Ki-taek was the team’s 5th starter. I trusted Kim Min-jun.

‘I wish the hitters would give Minjun some time to warm up…’

[… Following the second inning, Bellingham ends the inning with a three-way strike in the third inning!]

[Bellingham, the ball looks good today, right? He looked a little shaken in the first inning, but seems to have regained his pace.]

However, contrary to Moon Ki-taek’s wishes, Bellingham ended the inning with a three-way throw, and Hwasa’s offense in the bottom of the third inning went quickly. And then the top of the 4th inning began. The AT Thunders’ leadoff hitter today was Seongtae Yoon, who took his place at number 5.

Seongtae Yoon, who was considered the best tool guy among the AT Thunders’ farm until Ji Maeng-ho’s debut, achieved 20-20 this season and showed strong performance as a golden glove shortstop, and AT’s experts say he has great potential. He was a hitter.

‘Where do the AT guys get hitters like that? So is Seongtae Yoon, Jeongjin Baek, and Hwicheol Jeong. After…’

Moon Ki-taek sighed, feeling like he had climbed over a mountain, but he soon had no choice but to take another breath.

Ta – Aak!

Because a cheerful sound was heard and Yoon Seong-tae’s batted ball flew high.

[Yoon Seong-tae’s batted ball! High! Far! … Ah! MacD’s jump catch! Catch it in front of the fence!]

But luckily, Yoon Seong-tae’s batted ball had a high launch angle, and was caught in the glove of right fielder McD, who jumped right in front of the fence.

“Nice!”

“McD! It was good!”

McD’s super catch in a dangerous situation brought life back to the Hwasan dugout, but Moon Ki-taek’s expression couldn’t be brighter as he watched it.

Although he was out, Yoon Seong-tae’s batted ball was no different from a true hit, showing that Chae Jae-hyeon no longer had the power to lead the game.

“… “What about Minjun?”

“I think I just need to solve it a little more.”

It wouldn’t be surprising if there was a big inning again sometime.

“Strike! Out!”

Fortunately, Kim Hyun-seong struck out after 10 pitches, and Moon Ki-taek had less trouble.

“Ahh!”

A scream was heard from the ground.

[Ah, here is a ball that fits the body. Baek Jeong-jin was close to the zone…]

Time is needed for Kim Min-jun, who is not yet fully in shape. Moon Ki-taek immediately left the dugout.

“Didn’t you just hit on me?”

And I spoke to the referee in a tone that seemed dissatisfied, without seeming as if I was protesting as much as possible.

“Yes? It was a normal play… Would you like to request a video review?”

“Video review? Is it possible to video-read sand dunes?”

“… Why are you doing this if you know? Please apply for video review and file a legitimate complaint.”

“Hmm…”

-Wooooo!!

-Moon Ki-taek! Moon Ki-taek! Moon Ki-taek!

In response to Moon Ki-taek’s prolonged protest, the away fans boo and the home fans name-call.

-The chutaek is starting again hahaChutaek you fucking bastard, Sagu can also read video, so you can apply for criticism ㅡ

┗See it once or twice? LOL It’s just wasting time or breaking the flow.

┗If 100% goes in, the pitcher will be replaced.

┗┗I know well

Baseball fans who were watching the Korean Series at home also said something to Moon Ki-taek, but Moon Ki-taek didn’t care about that at all. Moon Ki-taek’s only interest was the sign sent by the pitching coach in the dugout.

“Then can I apply for a video review now?”

“Ah… ! Director! Why are you doing this?”

“No, I was wondering if this was the rule. I think it was a rule I didn’t know about. “Are you sure about the video review?”

“It’s a warning. If you continue like this, I will have no choice but to expel you.”

As he was wasting time talking, the pitching coach sent a sign from the dugout saying that Kim Min-jun was ready.

“Oh, I’m sorry. But, while I’m here, I’ll change the pitcher. Oh, we have to do time first, right? Time. “Give me some balls too.”

“Under…”

[Ah, Director Moon Ki-taek, who came out to protest, goes up with the ball. It’s like a pitcher change, right?]

[Chae Jae-hyeon’s condition didn’t seem to be very good today, but he changed it.]

[The pitcher coming out of the bullpen is Minjun Kim. 11 wins and 6 losses in the regular season. He has a 3.39 earned run average, has allowed one run in four innings in the playoffs, and has not pitched in the Korean Series.]

[A good pitcher is brought up at a good time. Since the starting pitcher went down before the 5th inning, I think Kim Min-jun will have to lead a long inning.]

After so many twists and turns, Minjun Kim came up to the mound of the volcano,

[… Kim Min-jun throws out Jeong Hwi-cheol with a ground ball! The game now goes to the bottom of the 4th inning.]

Kim Min-jun made Moon Ki-taek feel rewarded for his time. And then the bottom of the 4th inning began.

[… Siwoo Choi’s solo home run! Volcano Falcons now narrow the score to 3 points! … Lee Yong-gi’s hit! … Mac D’s consecutive hits! Now you are on 1st and 3rd base with no outs. … Volcano Falcons add 1 more point with a squeeze! Score 4:2! … Strikeout two batters in a row! Bellingham ends the inning!]

Choi Si-woo’s home run and one point from a squeeze were added, and the score suddenly became 4:2.

-Could it be a reversal?!?!?!?!

-Fuck Dal-dong’s resourcefulness is crazy. It’s really Jegal Gi-taekㄷㄷ The flow has come Sfuck, let’s turn it around!!!!

The flow of the Volcanic Falcons, which came for the first time in a while. Following the trend, Kim Min-jun blocked the 5th inning, including Ji Maeng-ho, and then cleanly blocked the 6th inning with a three-way throw, which was enough to meet Moon Ki-taek’s expectations.

But the problem is the batting line. I thought they would chase after the team by scoring a run in the 4th inning, but Bellingham also blocked the 5th and 6th innings and the game seemed to be entering a lull.

And then the 7th episode started.

[In the top of the 7th inning, with the team trailing 4:2, a new pitcher comes to the mound. The pitcher on the mound was Oh Hyo-jun. In this Korean series, he is recording one inning of no runs.]

Hyo-Jun Oh, Hwasa’s setup man, took over the mound in place of Min-Jun Kim, who pitched with all his might for 2.1 innings. Kim Min-jun was pitching well, but Moon Ki-taek had no choice because the batting lineup was in full swing and his speed was about 1 to 2 km/h lower than when he first took the mound.

However, Moon Ki-taek could not have imagined that that choice would drive the wedge in the third game.

‘Hyojun can be trusted.’

Perfect!

[Baek Jeong-jin’s hit! The leadoff hitter gets on base!]

Even when the leadoff batter got on base with a hit, Moon Ki-taek trusted Oh Hyo-jun.

Tak!

[Jung Hwi-cheol’s hit is at shortstop! Ah! Irregular bounds appear! While the ball is fumbled, the runner on first base is safe! Now you are on 1st and 2nd base with no outs!]

He was thinking he was unlucky when he made a mistake. But the pitcher is a rookie. Here, Moon Ki-taek made a decision once again.

[Crisis situation with no outs on first and second base! Baekdu-hyung will take over the mound!]

‘If you two are veterans of this level… !’

In a stressful situation, Oh Hyo-jun, who is no different from a rookie, was dropped and the pitcher chosen was veteran Baek Du-hyung. Since it was now a batting lineup starting from Kim Su-ho, Moon Ki-taek prayed earnestly to the sky and raised Baek Du-hyeong,

“Base on balls!”

… Baek Du-hyung failed the coach’s expectations and allowed a walk.

“Fuck…”

Although he had to remain calm during the game, swear words leaked out of Moon Ki-taek’s mouth.

[Kim Su-ho gets on base with a walk. Ah, now that I’m trying too hard to avoid giving walks, I’m having trouble controlling my pitches, right? … And at the plate is Ji Maeng-ho, who appeared as the number one hitter today and walked three times, including two intentional walks.]

… Because the next batter was Ji Maeng-ho.

A situation with the bases loaded and no outs, followed by a hit, an error, and a walk. Moon Ki-taek’s head is busy.

‘Filter? Roll it up? Filter? Roll it up? Filter? Eww…’

If the bases were loaded with 2 outs, only one batter needed to get the inning to end, so even if the bases were loaded, Ji Maeng-ho would have been left out, but now it was an out, and the batters waiting behind Ji Maeng-ho are Ki-joo Ki, Williams, and Jin-cheol Choi, all of whom have major league experience. It was brought in.

‘… If the first pitch misses too far, you skip it.’

In that situation, the method Moon Ki-taek chose was to look at Baek Du-hyung’s first pitch and make a decision. This is a situation that inevitably puts pressure on the pitcher. Here, if the first pitch misses sharply, it means that he is in no condition to face Ji Maeng-ho, so Moon Ki-taek decided to watch the first pitch.

However, Moon Ki-taek overlooked one thing.

A nervous pitcher’s ball takes two forms.

Or miss the mark. Or,

Ta – Aak!

… Or be driven to the center.

[Ji Maeng-ho’s first pitch hit! This batted ball! Fence! Let’s go! Ji Maeng-ho’s grand slam home run! This is a home run that nails a home run! Ji Maengho! Ji Maengho! Jimaengho~!]

[Hey, where did this type of typing come from? It’s really fortunate that Ji Maeng-ho retired before his debut.]

[Ji Maeng-ho, who once again sparks up a game that has entered a lull! Ji Maeng-ho smiles brightly!]

Ji Maeng-ho smiles brightly as he hits home,

“Fuck…”

… The image of Moon Ki-taek spitting out profanity while feeling like he was facing a wall remained as a highlight meme of Game 3 of the Korean Series and circulated around the Internet.

*

-AT Thunders! Game 3 is a complete win!

… In the top of the 7th inning, when the team was ahead 4:2, with the bases loaded and no outs, Ji Maeng-ho hit a bases-loaded home run against Baek Du-hyeong, completely tilting the game. … Coach Moon Ki-taek said, “I will prepare well for the next game and lay the foundation for a comeback.” …