grapplegraphics.com He wasn’t expected to have a great game, but the result was too bad. Kim Dong-kyu, a promising pitcher out of LG, was roughed up for five runs in two innings in his first-team debut.
Kim made his first-team debut against the LG Twins in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 13th. 온라인바카라The right-hander was expected to pitch three innings, but gave up five runs on four hits, including a home run, and three walks in just two innings. Kiwoom lost heavily, falling to 8-17, as even their second pitcher, Yang Hyun, collapsed with seven runs in one inning.
Kim Dong-kyu joined LG in the second round of last year’s draft and was acquired along with Lee Joo-hyung in the Choi Won-tae trade on the 29th of last month. He had only one first-team game experience with LG, so he joined the Futures team after the trade. In his first start against SSG Futures on the 4th, he pitched five scoreless innings, but in his next game against Lotte on the 9th, he gave up three runs (two earned) in just ⅓ of an inning.
Regardless of his performance so far, LG was hoping that he could develop into a strong fastball starter in the future. “I thought he could be a starting pitcher who throws 150 kilometres per hour if he builds up his stamina,” said LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop ahead of the 13th game against Kim Dong-kyu, “so I called him to the locker room to watch him, and I put him on the first team roster. I had a plan for what to do in the final training session, but Kiwoom saw it and took him.”
Manager Hong Won-ki said, “It’s his first first-team start, so I expect about three innings. I want him to show his stuff. I didn’t set a pitch count. If he throws three innings effectively, he can throw more.” He also expected him to pitch aggressively and not give up too many hits.
When Kim took the mound, he removed his hat and bowed to the LG fans on the first base side of the dugout. He threw a fastball that sailed over the head of catcher Kim Dong-heon. A walk to Hong Chang-ki, a single to Shin Min-jae, and a walk to Kim Hyun-soo. After retiring the first three batters, Kim gave up the first two runs of the inning on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly.
He retired Austin Dean, Oh Ji-hwan, and Moon Bo-kyung on grounders to end the inning. Kiwoom responded with two runs in the top of the second to tie the game at 2-2, but Kim Dong-gyu gave up a solo home run to Park Dong-won in the top of the second. With runners on first and third, Lee Jae-won and Hong Chang-gi doubled to put runners on first and third. In the next inning, Shin Min-jae was unable to stop a hard-hit line drive to centre field. The score was now 2-5.
Kiwoom’s second pitcher, Yang Hyun, fell apart early. Yang gave up seven runs on seven hits in the third inning. An error by second baseman Kim Hye-sung allowed the runs to multiply.