Lee Yong-jun, a right-handed pitcher born in 2002 of the NC Dinos, had a rough day.
Lee Yong-jun started in an away game against the Lotte Giants in the 2023 professional baseball KBO League held at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 25th.안전놀이터
Lee Yong-jun is one of NC’s hit products this year. He made his professional debut in 2021 and did not win a single win until last year, but this year he fully developed his skills and settled in the starting lineup. Before this game, his performance was 2 wins and 1 loss with an ERA of 2.45.
NC Lee Yong-jun could not laugh at the Busan Lotte game on the 25th. Photo = Reporter Kim Jae-hyun
However, Lee Yong-joon had 3.2 innings, 7 hits, 3 homers, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, 5 runs and 4 earned runs in the match against Changwon Samsung Lions (4-5 NC loss) on the 19th, the last appearance before the game. It was a time when a rebound was necessary to change the atmosphere.
Before the game, NC coach Kang In-kwon said, “(Lee Yong-jun) has a good memory against Lotte last (April 23, Changwon). He showed good pitching (6 innings, no hits, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts, no runs). It would be regrettable that he did not become the winning pitcher in the end, but I think he will give a good pitch if he throws with a new mindset today.”
However, Lee Yong-jun could not respond to the command tower’s wishes. It was because he was shaken even in the early game. Coming off the mound with the team trailing 0-3, he will take the second loss (2 wins) of the season if NC loses without making a tie.
It wasn’t good from the start. It was the root cause of the walk at the end of the first inning to Kim Min-seok, the first batter. Then, he got a heavy hit from the follow-up hitter Ahn Kwon-soo, but at this time, the defensive team’s unfortunate throwing play overlapped and ended up on the 2nd and 3rd base safely. In the end, Lee Yong-Jun allowed Jeon Jun-Woo and Ahn Chi-Hong each an RBI, a timely infield hit, and a sacrifice fly to center field. It was comforting to prevent additional runs by striking out Han Dong-hee and Roh Jin-hyeok in a row.
He failed to avoid a run even in the bottom of the second inning. He dedicated a double to right field to lead batter Koh Seung-min, and gave up sacrifice bunts and walks to Jung Bo-geun and Park Seung-wook, ending up with one out and 1st and 3rd base.
At this time, the opponent’s double-stealing strategy came out, and Lee Yong-joon, who was trying to cut catcher Park Se-hyuk’s throw, failed to catch the ball perfectly, and had to watch third base runner Ko Seung-min step on the groove. Afterwards, Kim Min-seok also walked, and he led Ahn Kwon-soo (left fielder fly) and Jeon Jun-woo (third baseman grounder) to bat to finish the inning with difficulty.
The final score was 2 innings, 3 hits, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts and 3 runs. The total number of pitches was 54, and the highest velocity was measured up to 149 km.
Meanwhile, NC called right-handed bullpen resource Lee Jun-ho to the mound in the bottom of the 3rd inning.