“Sorry about the bullpen”…even after leading the team to a QS win

The responsibility of being a starting pitcher shines through.

KT Wiz won 8-3 at home against SSG Landers in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League on Wednesday at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, South Korea. The win snapped a two-game losing streak.

The starting lineup for the game was Cheon Sung-ho (second base), Mel Rojas Jr. (left field), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Moon Sang-chul (first base), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Lee Ho-yeon (third base), Ahn Chi-young (center field), Jung Jun-young (right field), and Kim Sang-soo (shortstop). Wes Benjamin is the starting pitcher.

Benjamin earned the win. He pitched six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits (one home run) with two walks and six strikeouts for his second quality start of the season (six or more innings pitched and three or fewer earned runs). Earned his first win in four games.

Totaled 93 pitches (62 for strikes). His fastball (62) was the mainstay, with a mix of slider (15), cutter (13), curve (2), and changeup (1). His fastball maxed out at 150 km/h.

A day earlier, KT lost 7-8 in 10 innings of extra innings against the Changwon NC Dinos on April 11. In the process, middle relievers Joy Hyun, Kim Min-soo, Lee Sang-dong, Joo Kwon, Son Dong-hyun, Park Young-hyun, and Park Si-young split the innings. With the bullpen being so depleted, it was more important than ever for the starting pitchers to go the distance against SSG. Benjamin did just that.

After the match, Benjamin said, “It was a tough first win of the season, but it feels good to get the win for the team. Hopefully, this win will make the team feel better and better.”

“I felt really good with my fastball today (Dec. 12). I think the arm height I’ve been working on lately has helped me,” said Benjamin. “I made some changes to my arm angle late in the season and it’s been working for me. My changeup got better towards the end of the game and I was able to throw it with confidence.” Benjamin has been with KT for three years, starting in 2022.

“If I had to grade my pitching today, it would be a 75. “It was unfortunate that I pitched badly in the first and sixth innings,” he said. “I also felt bad that I put pressure on the bullpen. But I’m happy that the team was able to win in the end, and I hope to do better in the future,” he said.

In the top of the first inning, Benjamin got Choi Ji-hoon and Choo Shin-soo to fly out to shortstop. He then threw a 136 mph changeup to Choi Jeong-jeong on the first pitch. It was a 130-meter solo home run over the wall behind center field. Benjamin then struck out Guillermo Heredia on a three-pitch walk to end the inning.

In the top of the second, he struck out Han Yoo-seom on three pitches and retired Oh Tae-gon on a fly ball to 카지노사이트 right field. Park Sung-sung followed with an infield single to second base, but Lee Ji-young was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice.

Benjamin struck out Ahn Sang-hyun on a three-pitch walk and Choi Ji-hoon on a four-pitch walk in the top of the third before giving up a single to Choo Shin-soo. He roared back by getting Choi Jung to strike out on a three-pitch swinging strikeout.

In the top of the fourth, he got Heredia to fly out to right, Han Yoo-seom to strike out swinging, and Oh Tae-gon to fly out to left for a triple play. In the top of the fifth, Park Sung-han singled to left, Lee Ji-young grounded out to shortstop, and Ahn Sang-hyun walked to load the bases. Choi Ji-hoon grounded out to center field to end the inning.

Benjamin led off the sixth with a single to left off Choi Jung after Choo Shin-soo grounded to second. Heredia reached on a throwing error by Hwang Jae-gyun. Han Yoo-seom grounded out to 3b, putting runners on first and second. Oh Tae-gon singled through the left side. Benjamin induced a grounder to second base that scored Park Sung-sung to make it 5-2 in the top of the sixth.

He then handed the mound over to reliever Lee Sang-dong to start the top of the seventh. Having done his part, Benjamin looked back at his teammates one more time.

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