Only 1 earned run in 26⅔ innings. This is Kirk McCarty, the new ace of SSG Landers.
McCarty started against the Incheon Doosan Bears on the 28th and became the winning pitcher with 3 hits (1 home run), 8 strikeouts, 3 walks and 1 run in 6⅔ innings. Season 2 win. Unfortunately, 1 out count was missing in 7 innings pitched in 3 consecutive games. With two outs in the top of the 7th inning and a runner on a walk, the next batter was Jang Seung-hyun, who hit a home run earlier. The SSG bench removed McCarty from the mound after exceeding 110 pitches.
It is a continuous hot fighting streak. McCarty was sluggish with 8 runs in 3⅓ innings against the KIA Tigers on the 2nd, which was his debut in the KBO League, but after that, in 4 games, 6 scoreless innings, 7 scoreless innings, 7 innings 2 runs (no charge), 6⅔ innings 1 run in a row. unfolded Of these, there is only one self-accusation point. The two runs scored against Kiwoom Heroes on the 22nd were hit with a two-run home run, but all were at fault because the opportunity to end the inning was missed due to a fielder’s mistake right before. The only earned run was a solo home run by Jang Seung-hyun.
It is the unexpected appearance of ‘Ace’. Another pitcher that SSG had high hopes for was Annie Romero. However, Romero complained of shoulder pain at the end of spring camp, and could not even play properly after that. They haven’t played a single game since opening. Currently rehabilitating in the US, Romero is expected to part ways with SSG soon.
The condition of ‘immovable ace’ Kim Gwang-hyun has not yet improved. Kim Gwang-hyun allowed home runs in the last three consecutive games, and out of the four games he pitched this year, he had only one quality start. His walks also increased compared to last year. Kim Gwang-hyun, who built up his body faster than usual by participating in the WBC national team this season, seems to take time to find his original condition.
In the midst of this, McCarty is replacing the role of ‘Ace’. Except for his first start, he has a sense of stability. He has control over various breaking balls, so it is possible to effectively compete against batters even if it is not a fastball that travels over 150 km.
McCarty’s success is also a huge relief for his team. In a situation where Romero could not be used in a single game, if McCarty was also sluggish, the entire team mound could be shaken. With McCarty serving as the first starter and rookie-level pitchers showing spirited pitching, SSG can compete for the lead. 안전놀이터
Now, we need a foreign pitcher who can achieve a ‘one-two punch’ with McCarty. SSG is currently looking closely at alternative foreign pitchers. It is a position to bring a good pitcher carefully as it is a’defending champion’ who challenges to win for two consecutive years.