‘First Save of the Season’ Doosan Hong Geon-hee “It’s Been a Long Time Since I Felt this Thrill”
Current closer Jeong Cheol-won is sluggish… Doosan's finishing competition reignites.
Hong Geon-hee (31, Doosan Bears) took the mound with the bases loaded and no outs, protecting the team's victory and earning his first save of the season.
It was a good pitch that could change Doosan’s bullpen plan.
Hong Geon-hee appeared on the mound in the top of the 9th inning with the bases loaded and no outs, with Doosan leading 4-2 in a professional baseball home game against the NC Dinos held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 23rd.
When closer Jeong Cheol-won allowed three batters in a row to get on base, putting the bases loaded with no outs, manager Seung-yeop Lee made a decision. 카지노
Hong Geon-hee caught the first batter, Kim Joo-won, with a fly ball to center field and traded the out count for 1 point.
After passing Park Min-woo on an intentional walk, he grounded Kwon Hee-dong to first base to catch a runner running home, and Son A-seop ended the game with a missed swing strikeout.
Doosan overcame the crisis in the top of the 9th inning to win 4-3, and Hong Geon-hee earned the save with no hits and no runs in one inning.
One run was an earned run by Jeong Cheol-won, who left the mound with a runner on base.
After the game, Hong Geon-hee said through the club, “I prepared without slowing down from the middle of the game to the end.
It was not a sudden appearance,” and “I was in good pitching balance and physical condition recently, so I believed in the pitch and threw with confidence.
As the balls were in play, I got good results.
“It seems to have continued,” he said.
He added, “The situation with the bases loaded and no outs was a burden, but I tried to stay calm because I had experience.
I am proud to have preserved the team's victory,” and added, “I never even thought about it being my first save of the season.”
Hong Geon-hee started the season as the finisher last year, but gave up the finisher position to Jeong Cheol-won in August.
After the end of the 2023 season, signing a 2+2 year free agent (FA) contract with Doosan for up to 2.45 billion won, Hong Geon-hee said, “If we have internal competition, the team's strength will also increase.
I will aim for a comeback at the end.”
The first closing pitcher selected by Doosan for the 2024 season is Jeong Cheol-won.
However, Jeong Cheol-won is struggling with 1 win, 1 loss, 6 saves, and an ERA of 5.91.
His on-base allowable per inning (WHIP) is 2.06, which is the worst figure among the closing pitchers of the 10 teams.
If Hong Geon-hee, who has experience as a closing pitcher, fully recovers his pitch, the competition for closing pitchers will be rekindled.
Hong Geon-hee suffered an injury to his right thumb during spring camp and was unable to make the opening entry (March 23rd), and was only promoted to the first team on April 11th.
Hong Geon-hee, who has appeared on the mound 6 times this season, only allowed a run in his first game (2 hits and 1 run in 1 inning against the Hanwha Eagles on April 11), but in the next 5 games, he has been on a scoreless streak of 4⅓ consecutive innings.
His season performance is 1 save and an ERA of 1.69.
Hong Geon-hee said, “Because of the injury, my pace was slow.
One of my roles is to lead young pitchers, and I felt very sorry for the team.
Today (23rd), I showed a good performance and fulfilled my role.” “I will do my best,” he promised.
The thrill of ending a close game with a team victory also stimulates Hong Geon-hee.
Hong Geon-hee said, “The moment I got on the mound, the fans gave me a really big cheer.
It was a thrill I haven't felt in a long time,” and “I was thrilled and energized.
I want to repay those cheers.”
