In a pivotal moment for the LG Twins, closer Son Ju-yeong made a dramatic entrance in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the Doosan Bears on May 3rd. This decision came after initial plans to deploy pitcher Ko Woo-seok, who had recently returned from the United States, were altered due to his condition.
Strategic Pitching Decisions Amidst Player Condition Concerns
Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop had initially indicated that Ko Woo-seok could be called upon to close out the game if the situation arose, potentially substituting for Son Ju-yeong. However, the circumstances of the May 3rd game led to a different strategy. LG Twins, facing the Doosan Bears in their 15th regular season game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL KBO League, found themselves in a tight contest. The team had recently seen closers Son Ju-yeong, Uh Kang-hoon, and John Kennedy pitch in consecutive games against the Bears on May 1st and 2nd, necessitating a break for them.
The return of Ko Woo-seok to the first-team roster provided a potential solution for the bullpen’s workload. Despite his status as one of Korea’s top closers, Ko Woo-seok’s readiness for immediate deployment was uncertain. Manager Yeom explained the situation prior to the game, stating, “First, we need to check Ko Woo-seok’s condition. He has issues adjusting to the game time, so we will decide whether he pitches after a meeting at 5:30 PM.” The ideal scenario for LG was for Ko Woo-seok to take over from Son Ju-yeong. However, Ko Woo-seok had only recently returned from the U.S. and was not yet at 100% acclimatization to domestic conditions.
“Son Ju-yeong, Uh Kang-hoon, and Kennedy need rest, so if Ko Woo-seok’s condition is good, we will bring him in for the save situation,” Yeom had said. “There’s no need to pitch if it’s not necessary. But he mentioned feeling a bit off, like his body was floating, due to the time difference adjustment.” This cautious approach highlighted the team’s priority on player well-being and optimal performance.
Contingency Plans for the Bullpen
When questioned about who would handle the closing duties if Ko Woo-seok was unable to pitch, Manager Yeom outlined the team’s depth. “Even if those three pitchers rest, we still have Kim Jin-su, Lee Woo-chan, and Kim Young-woo,” he responded. “If Ko Woo-seok isn’t an option, we’ll send out the pitcher with the highest probability of shutting down the opponent in the ninth inning.”
A Pitcher’s Duel and an Unexpected Closer
The game itself evolved into a compelling pitching duel between LG’s Park Si-won and Doosan’s Kwak Bin. The sole run of the game came in the top of the fourth inning, courtesy of an Austin Dean solo home run for LG. As the Twins entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a slim 1-0 lead, the bullpen was called into action.
Contrary to the initial expectation of Ko Woo-seok’s return to the mound, Son Ju-yeong was the one who emerged. An official from the LG Twins organization clarified the events, explaining, “Through the meeting, it was determined that Ko Woo-seok was not in a condition to pitch in today’s game, so he has been decided to rest completely today.”
The official continued, “Son Ju-yeong is warming up because he voluntarily requested to pitch. After checking the players’ fatigue levels in the training department, it was determined that he could pitch for three consecutive days.” This voluntary decision by Son Ju-yeong underscored his commitment and readiness to contribute despite the team’s bullpen depth.
Son Ju-yeong’s Determined Performance
Son Ju-yeong began his ninth-inning appearance by striking out Yang Eui-ji, the leadoff hitter, on three pitches, setting a strong tone. Despite a questionable call by umpire Park Hae-min that allowed Kim Min-seok to reach first base, Son Ju-yeong quickly recovered. He then struck out Yoo Kang-nam swinging for the second out. A subsequent walk to Jo Soo-haeng and a stolen base put runners on second and third with two outs, creating a high-pressure situation.
However, Son Ju-yeong rose to the occasion, inducing a ground ball from Park Ji-hoon that was handled cleanly by the third baseman for the final out, effectively ending the game and securing the save. This marked Son Ju-yeong’s first three-save performance of the season.
A Closer’s Perspective and Team Gratitude
Reflecting on his performance, Son Ju-yeong expressed the immense pressure he felt. “It was my first three-save situation. I volunteered to pitch, but the score was only 1-0, and I couldn’t afford to lose the game because of me. It was the most nerve-wracking and tense outing among my recent appearances,” he admitted.
He further elaborated on his decision to pitch, stating, “Although I pitched in the last two games, my physical condition was good, so I discussed with Coach Kim Kwang-sam that I wanted to pitch if the situation allowed. The coach considered it carefully, and ultimately, if the situation arose, he agreed to let me pitch.” This dialogue highlights the collaborative decision-making process between players and coaching staff.
“I really wanted to shut them down,” Son Ju-yeong continued. “Even though it was a dangerous situation, I felt that we could hold them off together with my teammates. I think I was able to keep going until the end thanks to the fans who stayed and cheered enthusiastically until the very end. I am very grateful.” He attributed the success of the three-save victory to the unwavering support of the Twins fans.
Managerial Praise and Coaching Acclaim
Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop lauded the collective effort of his pitching staff. “Our middle relievers Lee Woo-chan, Kim Jin-su, Kim Young-woo, and finally Son Ju-yeong, who perfectly shut down the opponent until the very end, allowed us to secure a crucial victory during this important period,” he stated. “I want to praise Coach Kim Kwang-sam, who persuaded me to let Son Ju-yeong pitch, enabling him to achieve the three-save performance.”
The manager’s comments emphasized the importance of each pitcher’s contribution and the strategic guidance provided by the coaching staff in achieving this significant win for the LG Twins.
