Samsung Lions’ blue-blooded ace Won Tae-in pitched a perfect game.
Won Tae-in started the game against the Kiwoom Heroes at the Gocheok SkyDome on April 26. He held the opposing bats scoreless (two hits and two walks) until the seventh inning. He struck out eight batters, his most in a single game this season. Won was followed by Kim Jae-yoon and Oh Seung-hwan, who each pitched one inning of relief. Samsung swept the three-game weekend series with a 3-0 victory over Kiwoom.
“I came here after losing yesterday’s game and thought that I shouldn’t lose back-to-back games today,” Won Tae-in told SBS Sports after the game. “I wanted to start the first game of the three-game series with a win, and it felt good to do so.
Won Tae-in was strong against Kiwoom last year, going 1-0 with a 0.86 ERA in three games. He continued his momentum in this game, extending his winning streak to four games since September 9 against Sajik Lotte. “I have good memories of facing Kiwoom last year. It’s the same here. We suffered our first loss at home against Kiwoom this season, so we wanted to redeem ourselves today and were focused on continuing our four-game winning streak, which led to a good result.”
National team catcher Kang Min-ho was also a standout in the game.
“My changeup wasn’t very good, and (Kang) Min-ho felt it too, so I increased the percentage of sliders and cut fastballs. He was a great catcher and gave me good leads. 안전놀이터 추천 I just threw according to his lead,” he humbled himself. Kang Min-ho applauded the blue-blooded ace’s perfect game, saying, “Tae-in didn’t shake his head even once today.”
Won Tae-in achieved his first quality start plus of the season, but he regretted that his pitching balance was not satisfactory. He thanked catcher Kang Min-ho and pitching coach Jung Min-tae for their advice, which allowed him to pitch until the seventh inning.
At the end of the interview, Won Tae-in was asked who he was most grateful to, and he replied, “There are so many people, but my dad (Won Min-koo, former head coach of the Gyeongbokjung baseball team) comes to mind first. I know he’s always trying to do a lot for me. Also, pitching coach Jung Min-tae and bullpen coach Kwon Oh-joon are trying to adjust everything for me while I’m preparing to start. So I’m always grateful to them,” he said.
Meanwhile, manager Park Jin-man said, “I couldn’t help but be impressed with ace Won Tae-in’s pitching today. “There have been many times this season when I’ve been relieved to see the bullpen pitch late in games, and I felt the same way when I saw Kim Jae-yoon and Oh Seung-hwan pitch in the eighth and ninth innings,” said Park.