Dugger started the game against the Lotte Giants in the 2024 Shinhan Solbank KBO League held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 24th, but left the mound early after pitching disappointingly, allowing 9 hits and 7 runs in 2⅔ innings.
On the other hand, SSG enjoyed double fortunes in this day’s game. In the second inning, Choo Shin-soo achieved his 2,000th hit between Korea and the United States, and in the fifth inning, Choi Jeong hit a left-field solo shot, setting a new record for the most home runs in the KBO League. They even achieved a come-from-behind victory of 12-7.
In a festive atmosphere, Dugger’s poor pitching was a problem.
Ahead of the opening, SSG’s expectations for Dugger were high. Although he does not have much experience in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), Dugger, who ranked first in ERA (4.31) and strikeouts (143) in the U.S. minor league’s Triple-A Pacific League last year, pitched well in spring camp and raised expectations among the coaches.
Upon returning from spring camp, SSG coach Lee Soong-yong said, “Dugger has adapted well to the team. I would like to give him 100 out of 100 for both skill and personality,” and added, “As long as he is not sick, he will be able to win more than 10 games.” did.
However, Dugger has been struggling since the season opened.
On March 31, his second appearance of the season, against the Daegu Samsung Lions, he had a quality start (starting pitcher allowed 3 earned runs or more in 6 innings), allowing 3 runs in 6 innings, but fell into a slump in April.
On the 6th of this month, against the Changwon NC Dinos, he gave up 12 hits, 4 walks, and 3 hit balls in 3 innings, allowing a whopping 14 runs (13 earned runs). It was a tie for the most goals allowed in a game in KBO League history.
In the Suwon KT Wiz match on the 12th, he was kicked out early after allowing 4 runs in 1 inning.
Dugger pitched relatively steadily in the game against the Incheon KIA Tigers on the 18th, allowing 3 hits, 3 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 1 run in 5 innings, raising expectations of a rebound.
Ahead of the game on the 24th, Coach Lee diagnosed, “I think Dugger gets a lot of hits because the ball he thought was a strike turned into a ball and the ball count was at a disadvantage.”
He said, “I was sorry that I couldn’t give them a win in the game against KIA on the 18th because I changed the game a little early. Still, Dugger showed a different side on the mound. He gained more fighting power. I think he gained confidence.”
However, the commander’s expectations were not met. In the game at the time, the defense looked a bit disorganized and allowed more runs, but Dugger’s pitching was also not good.
Dugger was in danger with two hits and a fielder’s error in the bottom of the first inning, with no outs on first and third base, and a sacrifice fly by Victor Reyes. He then contributed a timely double to Jeon Jun-woo.
After the batting line gave up 4 runs in the top of the second inning, the bottom of the second inning ended with a three-way strike, but the team was extremely shaken in the bottom of the third inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, with one out and one on first base, he gave up a triple to right-center to Seongbin Hwang. SSG Ya Su-jin made an error during a broadcast play, and Hwang Seong-bin went all the way home.
Dugger hit consecutive doubles by Reyes and Jeon Jun-woo to tie the score, and then with 2 outs and runners on second base, he hit another triple by Son Ho-young. Dugger, who also suffered a timely hit to the left by follow-up hitter Han Dong-hee, was eventually replaced by Park Min-ho.
Dugger’s performance in 6 games this season is poor, with no wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 12.71.
This season, SSG is at the bottom with a starting ERA of 6.44. Among the 10 clubs, it is the only one with 6 points. Thanks to their strength in hitting, including first place in the team home run category, they ranked 3rd in the regular season with 15 wins, 1 draw, and 12 losses.
However, there is a cycle in batting, and the starting staff needs to find stability in order to continue to be at the top.
If Dugger continues to perform poorly, it will be difficult to build a solid starting lineup. SSG’s worries are deepening.
◎ Sympathetic media Newsis [email protected]
