Even for a pitcher with a 160-kilometer fastball, a ballpark filled with enemy cheers can be a daunting stage.
Hanwha Eagles’ Moon Dong-ju (20) was pulled from the game against the Lotte Giants in Busan on Wednesday after giving up “nine hits (one home run) and six runs” in just 2⅔ innings.
Manager Choi Won-ho said before the game, “Moon Dong-ju had a good performance against Lotte, so he started today.” Moon hadn’t pitched against Lotte this year, and in three games (one start) last year, he pitched seven innings with just one earned run and a 1.29 ERA.
However, these results were all recorded against Hanwha’s home stadium. It was his first start at Sajik Stadium.
Lotte struggled last week, going 1-5. But the Lotte fans in attendance were just as enthusiastic. From the table seats behind the catcher to the outfield seats on the third base side, Lotte fans filled all the seats in the stadium except for the third base away supporters’ seats.
Even Moon Dong-ju felt the pressure and was shaky from the first inning.
Hanwha took the lead in the first inning, taking a 1-0 lead. However, Moon gave up back-to-back singles to Hwang Sung-bin and Jeon Jun-woo, and then a sacrifice fly to Rex to tie the game at 1-1.
In the second inning, Yoon Dong-hee led off with a single. After Noh Jin-hyuk struck out the next batter, catcher Choi Jae-hoon prevented Yoon from stealing. However, Yoo Kang-nam walked, Park Seung-wook singled, and Hwang Sung-bin doubled to make it 1-2.
Choi Jae-hoon came to the rescue once again. Hanwha regained the lead in the top of the third with a two-run double by Choi Jae-hoon to make it 3-2.
However, Moon Dong-ju completely collapsed in the bottom of the inning. He gave up back-to-back singles to Rex Anchi-hong. When Ko Seung-min singled, Hanwha center fielder Moon Hyun-bin made a great throw to keep Rex at home, but he was immediately followed by Yoon Dong-hee for a three-run homer.
Yoo Kang-nam followed with a single, and the Hanwha bench couldn’t take it anymore. They brought in Lee Tae-yang in place of Moon Dong-joo.스포츠토토
Moon’s fastball reached a maximum velocity of 159 kilometers. The ball that hit Yoon Dong-hee for a home run was also a 150-kilometer fastball. However, the bad day proved that even the fastest fastballs don’t work in the pros.
Meanwhile, Lotte starter Barnes also struggled. After giving up three runs on four hits and five walks in 3⅓ innings, he was replaced by Jin Seung-hyun with one out. However, Jin struck out the next two batters to prevent any further damage.