SSG Landers rookie pitcher Song Young-jin cried over a defensive mistake.
Song Young-jin started the game against Kiwoom Heroes held at Gocheok Sky Doom on the 7th. On this day, he pitched 3⅔ innings, giving up 7 hits, 4 walks, 6 runs (4 earned runs) and 3 strikeouts. He didn’t get any defensive help from Ya Su-jin, and after a lonely fight, he was demolished.
This season, 안전놀이터Song Young-jin caught the command tower’s eye with his boldness that was uncharacteristic of a rookie. Coach Won-hyung Kim praised Song Young-jin, saying, “I didn’t appoint Song Young-jin to develop a starting pitcher. I put him in the rotation because he has pitched so well.”
It was worth it. Song Young-jin, a native of Daejeon High School, entered the 2023 rookie draft in the 15th overall in the second round, and stood out from spring camp. He started in the bullpen, but took advantage of Kim Gwang-hyeon’s injury vacancy to get a starting opportunity, and survived the selection competition with a series of good pitches. Prior to this game, Song Young-jin played an active role with an average ERA of 1.93 with 2 wins in 5 games.
However, Song Young-jin’s rise was broken by his defensive mistakes. In the first inning, lead hitter Lee Jeong-hoo was induced to ground to second base, but second baseman Kim Seong-hyun made a catch error. Young-Jin Song gave Kim Hye-Sung a walk and was in danger of conceding a run, and after catching Edison Russell with a fly ball in right field, he struck out Lee Won-Seok as well, seemingly preventing the crisis.
However, when Lee Hyung-jong was at bat, first base runner Kim Hye-seong attempted to steal the base, and catcher Cho Hyung-woo threw home due to an error on third base runner Lee Jung-hoo. Song Young-jin continued to be in danger by giving Lee Hyeong-jong a walk, but Park Chan-hyuk induced a ground ball. However, this time, shortstop Seong-Han Park made a catch error. Song Young-jin, who could not finish the inning, gave up an infield hit to Lee Byeong-gyu and gave up one more run.
This is Song Young-jin, who collapsed due to a mistake from the beginning of the game. There was also a sad scene in episode 2. When he was 2nd and 3rd base, he induced Kim Hye-seong to throw a fly ball in the outfield. The missed ball flew high in the outfield, but center fielder Oh Tae-gon failed to properly catch the ball and led to a hit. The runner on third base hits home.
Song Young-jin collapsed due to a defensive mistake despite the support of 5 points by the other line. In the end, in the 3rd inning with a 6-5 lead, Kim Dong-heon hit a tying triple at first base. And when Lee Yong-kyu was at bat, he balked and gave up the lead. And in the 3rd inning with 2 out and 1 base, he passed the mound to Lim Jun-seop.
It is Song Young-jin who fought a lonely fight even in a cluttered situation. Still, Song Young-jin smiled brightly. He entered the dugout and bowed his head to coach Kim Won-hyung, promising the next game.
Meanwhile, SSG won Kiwoom 7-6 after an 11th overtime match. He won five games in a row, and
