Lee Yong-jun 2 innings, 3 runs
2 consecutive games early steel
Lee Yong-jun, who is considered a candidate for the rookie of the year, was knocked out early for two consecutive games.
The NC Dinos lost 1-11 in a match against the Lotte Giants in the 2023 KBO League held at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 25th at 6:30 pm. Lee Yong-joon, who started this day, became the losing pitcher with 3 runs in 2 innings.
Lee Yong-jun started in place of Taylor Widener, who left the starting lineup due to an injury at the beginning of the season. On the 12th of last month, he pitched against KT Wiz and scored his first win in his debut with 5 innings and 1 run, and on the 23rd against Lotte, he recorded a quality start with 6 scoreless innings. Lee Yong-jun, who appeared in 5 games (4 starts) in April, has emerged as a candidate for the rookie of the year with 2 wins and an undefeated ERA of 1.14.
However, it seems to be going through ups and downs in May. On the 19th, against the Samsung Lions, he was hit with 3 home runs and was sluggish with 5 runs (4 earned runs) in 3 and 2/3 innings, and came down the mound early on the 25th against Lotte.
From the first inning, he gave up walks and hits and became second and third base safely, and gave up the first run due to bad luck. Jeon Jun-woo’s missed ball fell exquisitely between the first baseman and the second baseman. At the same time, the first base was empty, and all runners lived with the run. The score was 0-2 as the sacrificial ball was allowed to 1st and 3rd base An Chi-hong.
In the second inning, a disappointing defense led to a run. The runner on first base attempted to steal from one company, first and third base, and while the ball was thrown to second base, the runner on third base aimed for home. Lee Yong-jun, who saw this, tried to cut the ball in the middle, but failed to catch and the runner came home. Lee Yong-jun, who scored 3 runs in 2 innings, was replaced with Lee Jun-ho at the start of the 3rd inning.
NC tried not to completely give up the atmosphere with a quick replacement. However, as relief pitcher Lee Jun-ho gave up 5 runs only in the 3rd inning, the game actually went downhill. In the 5th inning, shortstop Kim Joo-won committed an error and gave one more run, making the score 0-9.
The batting line didn’t help the pitching staff either. On this day, NC was tied up to the 7th inning with only 2 hits and 1 walk against Lotte Park Se-woong. At the beginning of the 8th inning, Son A-seop made up 1 point with 1 RBI and a timely double, but at the end of the 8th, Lim Ji-min gave up 2 more runs with a wild throw and a push walk, and lost 1-11.
/Reporter Lee Won-jae
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