SSG Landers ace pitcher Takeda delivered a nightmarish performance, surrendering 9 runs on 9 hits including a home run over just 3 innings against the KT Wiz on May 13, 2026, at Suwon KT Wiz Park. The outing marked his worst start of the season in the fifth matchup of the series.
Detailed Game Breakdown
Takeda struggled from the outset in the first inning. After a leadoff single, he allowed consecutive hits to Kim Sang-su and Kim Hyun-su, plating two runs. He escaped further damage but the tone was set early.
The second inning proved catastrophic, with KT exploding for 8 runs. Kim Min-hyuk drew a walk, and catcher Heo Kyoung-min delivered a crucial RBI double. Subsequent errors and hits, including a two-run single by Kim Hyun-su, piled on the damage. Takeda issued walks and permitted a two-run homer, pushing his pitch count higher.
In the third, KT added one more run before Takeda exited after 91 pitches, having recorded 4 walks and 5 strikeouts. KT capitalized on his 41 straight fastballs at up to 146 km/h, mixing in curves, cutters, sliders, and changeups, but command issues doomed him.
Takeda’s Season Context
The Japanese veteran, who signed a 20 million dollar deal with SSG ahead of the 2026 season, brings extensive experience from 14 NPB campaigns. His career stats include 217 games, 66 wins, 48 losses, and a 3.33 ERA. He has pitched in the Premier12 and 2017 WBC.
Despite an arm injury in April 2024 prompting SSG to recruit him amid rotation needs, early results disappointed. Through six starts, he posted a 6-1 record with a 8.14 ERA. Recent outings showed promise, like 5 scoreless innings against Doosan on April 25 and 5 1/3 innings with 1 run versus Lotte on May 1, but a 7-run, 4 1/3 inning disaster against NC on May 7 preceded this collapse.
Post-game, Takeda reflected, “I’ve been receiving a lot of support despite not performing well lately. There are times when things like this happen in baseball, but the ball feels good right now, so if I stay calm, good results will come.”
Observers note his return to the rotation signals SSG’s commitment to reclaiming his decisive strikeout form.
