Eagles manager has full trust in rookie pitcher in key KBO postseason game
By Yoo Jee-ho
DAEGU, Oct. 22 (Yonhap) -- Hanwha Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon said Wednesday he has complete trust in his rookie pitcher Jeong Woo-joo, who will start a postseason game that can send the Eagles to their first South Korean baseball championship series in 19 years.
The Eagles lead the Samsung Lions 2-1 in their best-of-five showdown in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason, following a 5-4 victory Tuesday night at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu. Game 4 is back in Daegu on Wednesday, and the Eagles will grab a ticket to the Korean Series with a win.
The Eagles' usual No. 4 starter, Moon Dong-ju, has been pitching in relief in this series, and he threw four shutout innings Tuesday, which ruled him out for Wednesday's game.
Kim chose Jeong, 18, to start the most important game of the Eagles' season.
"He's been preparing for a postseason start since the late stretch of the regular season," Kim said in his pregame media session. "Although he is young, he is very courageous. That's why I have enough trust in him to send him out tonight."
Jeong mostly pitched out of the bullpen during the regular season and only made two starts, with his pitch count topping out at 54.
Kim said there is no limit on how many pitches Jeong will throw in this game, and he and his staff will play it by ear.
"We will see how he handles himself the first time through the order, and then we'll decide whether to keep him on the mound," the manager added.
And once Jeong gets the hook, Kim said every pitcher except Moon and Game 3 starter Ryu Hyun-jin will be available out of the bullpen, including the two American starters, Cody Ponce and Ryan Weiss.
Of course, pitching will be all for naught if the offense doesn't score enough against Lions starter Won Tae-in and their lights-out bullpen.
The Eagles hit a homer and two doubles as part of their 10-hit game in Tuesday's win.
"Hopefully, we will see similar production from our lineup in this game," Kim said.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
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