“In baseball, things always happen the moment you say, ‘This is fine.’
Even the foreign ace, who boasted an ERA in the 1-point range, was shaken by repeated defensive mistakes. However, the electronic sign indicating the mistake had ‘0’ engraved on it.
Aaron Wilkerson joined the Lotte Giants immediately after the All-Star Game, replacing Dan Straily. Although he is not a fastball pitcher, his precise ball control, speed control, and psychological warfare stand out.
He started in 7 games in the second half and averaged more than 6 innings per game, posting 3 wins and 1 loss with an average ERA of 1.69. Only 5 quality starts. He showed off his excellent stability, never having recorded more than 3 earned runs before the 5th inning. Thanks to his flowing long hair and brilliant pitching, he was nicknamed ‘Sajik Jesus.’안전놀이터
Ulsan Samsung Lions game on the 5th. Wilkerson of the world was shaken. He suffered from repeated defensive anxiety.
Wilkerson finished the top of the first inning with a three-way strike. Lotte took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to Yoo Kang-nam’s three-run home run.
Even in the top of the second inning, it was perfect until 2 outs. Samsung’s third batter, Ryu Ji-hyuk, hit a sharp ball in front of left field. It was a ball that could have been handled as a one-bound hit, but Lotte left fielder Hwang Seong-bin took on a more bold challenge. An attempt at a forward diving catch.
Unfortunately, the ball bounced in front of Seongbin Hwang, hit his glove and bounced to the side, and Jihyuk Ryu ran all the way to second base. The scorer recorded it as a double in front of left field without an error.
The 2023 KBO League match between the Lotte Giants and Samsung Lions was held at Munsu Baseball Stadium in Ulsan on the 5th. Lotte Hwang Seongbin is catching his breath. Ulsan = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com/2023.09.05/
Commentator Park Jae-hong had a different opinion. He said, “I understand. There is a difference in scores, and it is after 2 outs. Hwang Seong-bin must have boldly come in because he is confident,” but criticized, “It was unreasonable to just say the conclusion. A hit that was supposed to be a single became a double.”
Anxiety became a reality. The next batter, Lee Jae-hyeon, hit a timely hit in the middle. Commissioner Park pointed out, “This is a defense that gave up 1 point with a single hit in a situation where it would have been 2 outs and 1st base.”
A defensive mistake occurred in the top of the 5th inning when Lotte was ahead 5-1. After striking out pinch hitter Kim Dong-jin with no outs on first and second base, Wilkerson induced the next batter, Kim Hyun-jun, to hit a hard ground ball toward second base. Even for Kim Hyun-jun, who is fast, it was a fast ball that would have been easy to handle as a double play.
The 2023 KBO League match between the Lotte Giants and Samsung Lions was held at Munsu Baseball Stadium in Ulsan on the 5th. Lotte Acting Manager Lee Jong-woon is watching the game. Ulsan = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com/2023.09.05/
However, shortstop Noh Jin-hyuk was unable to handle the ball quickly, and Kim Hyun-jun was saved at first base. I slightly missed the ball as my foot got caught on the second base base, and the throw to first base was delayed. Afterwards, Kim Hyun-jun’s stolen second base and Kim Seong-yoon’s 2 RBI triple followed, and Wilkerson’s earned runs increased to ‘3’ in an instant.
It was a disappointing defense that took away the pitcher’s strength. Wilkerson, who is known for his composure, ended the fifth inning without allowing any additional runs, but it was a series of mistakes that would not have been surprising if any other pitcher suddenly collapsed.
No errors were recorded in both scenes. Commissioner Park said, “In both the 2nd and 5th inning, the inning did not end on time and a score was given,” and “Lotte is the 2nd team with the fewest errors. It should be considered an error (numerically). From my experience, the defensive range in both the inside and outside fields is limited.” He strongly criticized it, saying, “It is not wide. There are many pitfalls (mistakes) that are not recorded.”
Wilkerson’s pitch count increased rapidly, but he held on well. He finished the 6th inning. He achieved his sixth quality start of the season (6 or more innings and 3 or fewer earned runs as a starter).
Lotte won 10-3 and won two games in a row thanks to the explosion of the batting lineup. However, the task of defensive stability still remains.