Samsung Lions’ “blue-blooded ace” Won Tae-in was all smiles after picking up the win.
Won Tae-in started against the LG Twins in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on Friday. He threw a total of 102 pitches in six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five. He pitched a quality start (six innings of three earned runs or less) to lead Samsung to a 6-5 victory.
안전놀이터 With the win, Won improved to 5-0 on the season. It was his first win in 44 days, as he pitched six innings of four-hit ball against the Hanwha Eagles on July 2, giving up one run on two hits and striking out six. Won had been winless for over a month. He finally smiled.
Won Tae-in ⓒSamsung Lions
Won Tae-in. ⓒSamsung Lions
In fact, he struggled early in the game. In the first inning, they gave up a double to Hong Chang-ki and a sacrifice bunt to Shin Min-jae, putting runners on first and second. Then they gave up a run to Kim Hyun-soo on a single to right. He then gave up a double to Austin Dean to score another run. Both batters were hit by fastballs, making the game difficult.
Won Tae-in finished the inning without allowing another run. In the dugout, he changed his strategy with catcher Kang Min-ho. He decided to pitch with his changeup instead of his fastball. With the change in strategy, Won went on to retire the next three innings without allowing a run.
In other words, Won caught a big fish. He led the way in defeating No. 1 LG. He stopped LG’s recent five-game winning streak. The pressure could have been overwhelming, especially with the presence of his nemesis, Park Dong-won, but Won Tae-in kept his head down and did his part.
After the game, Won said, “LG has a lot of good hitters. There are many hitters who are stronger than me, including Park Dong-won. But I wasn’t particularly conscious of it, and I played my game as usual,” he said, explaining the reason for the good result.
Won Tae-in. ⓒSamsung Lions
The early runs proved to be the medicine. Won Tae-in said, “I think giving up two runs in the first inning was a good thing. We boldly threw away the bad points today. After the first inning, Kang Min-ho told me that my fastball didn’t seem to be good, so I said, “Let’s focus on my changeup.” I think that led to a good result today,” he said, adding that the strategy change was successful.
Won Tae-in, who graduated from Gyeongbuk High School, joined Samsung as the first pick in 2019. He was weak in the summer, when the heat was unrelenting. This year, he is paying more attention to his physical fitness. “After my debut, I was the weakest in August. This year, I am preparing more carefully than before. Not only in August, but until the end of the season, I will prepare well so that I can show a good performance,” he said.