Samsung Lions reliever Kim Jae-yoon delivered a dominant performance, striking out six straight batters to secure his 200th career save in a close victory over NC.
Clutch Ninth-Inning Heroics
In the Changwon matchup on May 9, Kim Jae-yoon (36) entered the ninth inning as the setup man but faced six batters, fanning all of them to clinch the one-run win. This marked his sixth save of the season and propelled Samsung to their sixth consecutive victory, boosting them to third place.
Kim had notched saves in his previous three outings, including a 3-0 shutout against Kiwoom on May 6. Against NC, he threw just 16 pitches, reaching a season-high 147 km/h on his fastball nine times, along with four forkballs and three sliders.
Stifling May Dominance
Kim has been untouchable in May, posting a 1-0 record with four saves over five appearances and a perfect 0.00 ERA. He has pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings without allowing a hit, racking up seven strikeouts.
For the season, he holds a 2-1 record with eight saves in 17 games and a 1.80 ERA. In March and April across 12 outings, he recorded 1-1 with four saves and a 2.79 ERA.
Elite Velocity and Location
The fastballs consistently hit 144-147 km/h, showcasing exceptional movement and command. Commentator Min Byung-heon praised the pitch, stating, “The location of that high fastball is tremendous. It has a thick, heavy feel. Batters are completely whiffing on it.”
Kim’s arsenal overwhelmed hitters, mirroring recent successes by teammates like Do Tae-hoon, who struck out batters on a 146 km/h straight and a 127 km slider. Even in peak form, Kim stands out with his pinpoint control and deceptive break, intensifying the fear factor for opponents.
Postgame Reflections
After reaching the 200-save milestone, Kim shared in an interview, “Teammate Rae-ah joked during a pregame video call, ‘Go strike out a bunch.’ Today, it felt like Rae-ah’s words came true perfectly—great vibes.”
Rae-ah’s playful charm proved prophetic, clearing the mission for consecutive strikeouts. Emulating roll model Oh Sung-hwan’s debut season, Kim helps Samsung chase their first championship in 12 years amid heightened momentum.
Samsung eyes breaking their lowest save total this season, surpassing KT Wiz’s recent mark and pacing for 30 saves in four years since 2023.
