SSG Landers finishing pitcher Seo Jin-yong (31)’s ‘Mr. Zero’ drama has come to an end.
Seo Jin-yong climbed the mound at the bottom of the 9th inning with the team leading 6-2 in the 2023 Shinhan Bank Sol KBO League match against the Lotte Giants at Sajik Stadium on the 21st.
Seo Jin-yong, who boasted an impregnable appearance this season, was shaken.
He gave up consecutive walks to Yoo Kang-nam, Go Seung-min, and Park Seung-wook, and was driven to the bases without a hit. Then, he was hit by Kim Min-seok’s sacrifice fly to the left fielder.
It was the moment when Seo Jin-yong’s season ERA, which had not changed from ‘0’ since the opening, changed to a different number.
He allowed no extra points. Seo Jin-yong treated Ahn Kwon-soo and An Chi-hong with ground balls to second base in succession and kept the team’s victory by 3 points.
Seo Jin-yong has not recorded a single earned run in 20 appearances since the opening.
On the 14th of last month, against the NC Dinos, the team took the mound in the top of the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead, but gave up one point, but it was not recorded as an earned run because it was a fielder’s mistake.
Seo Jin-yong, who was always expected to be a close pitcher but often wavered greatly and failed to instill firm trust, showed further growth this year and established himself as a strong guardian of SSG.
As Seo Jin-yong marched every day and showed more than expected, the fans gave him the nickname ‘Mr. Zero’. The word ‘Suzume’s door lock’, which was compared to the Japanese animation ‘Suzume’s door lock’ released this year, even appeared.
However, the march of ‘0’ earned points could not continue forever. In the end, in his 21st appearance this season, Seo Jin-yong recorded his first earned run.
For Seo Jin-yong, the interruption of the continuous record can be disheartening. On the one hand, it can be an opportunity to put down the burden of extending the record.
SSG coach Kim Won-hyung did not forget to ask Seo Jin-yong, who will continue to take care of the back door.
Manager Kim emphasized, “The streak of non-earned runs stopped when he recorded his first earned run, but I hope he will play the game with the mindset of starting again in the future.”
The streak of unclaimed points has ended, but Seo Jin-yong is still the best closer this season.
Seo Jin-yong, who collected 16 saves in 21 games, is the overwhelming leader in saves. He is ahead of Kim Won-joong (Lotte Giants) and Hong Geon-hee (Doosan Bears), who are tied for second place with 9 saves, by 7 points.
Seo Jin-yong did not record a single blown save this season.
Seo Jin-yong, who recorded only 1 earned run while he pitched 21⅓ innings, still has an earned run average of only 0.42.안전놀이터
The commander’s faith is firm. Director Kim’s assessment is that Seo Jin-yong has risen to the next level.
Coach Kim, who answered “yes” without hesitation to the question, “Did Seo Jin-yong bloom?” said, “Throwing the ball stably means that you have your own now. It gives me confidence,” he said.
Coach Kim said, “In the match against Lotte, he finished the game with difficulty, but Seo Jin-yong still showed his strength as a finishing pitcher.” should be made,” he said.