“He’s a pitcher who’s been there for us in tough times. It’s not easy to take him out.”
Kia Tigers manager Lee Beom-ho lavished praise on Hwang Dong-ha (22) before the team’s game against the Changwon NC Dinos on Tuesday.
Hwang Dong-ha, who started the game, was more of a ‘temporary starter’. He rotated through the rotation to fill in when starters including Lee Yi-ri were out with injuries. In his five starts, he had a 5.32 ERA, which isn’t a stellar performance, but there was value behind the numbers. He threw an average of 84 pitches per game, maximizing his innings. However, Hwang’s job was put in question when swingmen Lim Ki-young and Lee Yi-ri returned to the first team on the 28th and 29th, respectively.
“I’m not going to judge him based on his pitching today,” Lee Beom-ho said before the game on the 30th. “I’m thinking about whether it’s the best option to keep Dong-ha as a starter,” he said, adding, “He’s pitched well so far, and he’s doing well enough. I think he should be in the starting rotation as much as possible.” As Lee’s pitch count is not normal, the team is considering the “+1 option” of putting Lim Ki-young behind him. “I think it’s unreasonable to overturn them when they’re settling into their positions,” Lee said, adding, “I think we should only think about how to do 1+1 with Lee and Ki Young-i,” suggesting that Hwang Dong-ha could be fixed as the starter.
Hwang proved himself worthy. He pitched six innings of eight-hit (two homers), six-strikeout, two-run ball to pick up his second win of the season (2-2) and extend his team’s winning streak to five games. Allowed two runs on two hits and a walk, but retired the side in order. In the bottom of the sixth inning, with runners on first and second, Musa walked Son Asub, Seo Ho-cheol, and Park Han-beol to load the bases. He set a number of personal records, including most 토토 innings pitched, most strikeouts, and his first quality start (six innings or less in a QS start). Manager Lee Bum-ho couldn’t help but smile as he watched from the dugout. In fact, the NC Game was the first time he’s been labeled a “temporary starter.
“The team was on a winning streak, and I thought about what would happen if I broke the streak,” Hwang said after the game. It’s nice to be able to pitch when they’re winning,” he said, adding, ‘I was thinking (about going into the seventh inning), but I think they were thinking about the first six innings and then suddenly going into the seventh inning and getting excited.’ “In my first start, I thought a lot about just throwing a little bit and getting out, but in my second start, I wanted to do it without regrets, so I’m thinking about throwing until I’m satisfied with myself,” he said, chuckling, “I don’t show it, but I’m greedy inside.”