He gets hotter.

Samsung Lions veteran left-hander Baek Jeong-hyun (36) started the 12th game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 30.

It’s been 37 days since Baek’s last appearance with the first team, on March 23 against the Incheon SSG Landers. Baek had been feeling pain in his left elbow and had been conditioning with the second team instead of the first team.

Before the game, Samsung coach Park Jin-man said, “It’s been over a month since he went down. He said the injury was fine, and he checked it out at Futures,” Park said, indicating that Baek’s physical condition was fine.

The team’s bats exploded in the first inning, allowing Baek to take the mound with ease. He got Lee Hyung-jong to pop out to shortstop Lee Jae-hyun and Kim Hye-sung to ground out to second base. He gave up a single to Ronnie Dawson to left, but struck out Lee Won-seok on a swinging strikeout. They had runners on base in the second and third innings, but no runs scored.

In the fourth inning, five pitches were enough. Lee Won-seok grounded out to second, Song Sung-moon grounded out to second, and Lee Joo-hyung hit a big fly ball to center fielder Kim Hyun-joon who stayed focused. In the fifth inning, Park Chan-hyuk grounded out to shortstop, Lee Ji-young flied out to center field, and Kim Tae-jin singled, but Lee Hyung-jong fouled out to third base.

In the top of the sixth, Baek Jung-hyun walked leadoff hitter Kim Hye-sung to load the bases. Dawson singled to right, but Lee Won-seok got Pirela to pop out to center. However, Song Sung-moon was hit by a pitch, followed by a single to center field, and then faltered when Lee Ju-hyung hit an RBI triple. 메이저사이트

Eventually, the Samsung bench opted to make a change. Baek was looking for his sixth quality start of the season (six innings of three earned runs or less) in his first start in 38 days. On the day, Baek gave up two runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts in 5.2 innings. He threw 96 pitches. He threw 39 sliders, 32 fastballs, 24 changeups, and one curveball. His fastball topped out at 140 mph.

Behind the firepower of the team’s bats and the focus of the bullpen from the first inning, Baek earned his fifth win of the season and helped his team to a 10-6 victory. It’s been 54 days since Baek secured a win against the Changwon NC Dinos last month.

After the game, Samsung head coach Park Jin-man commented, “After a long time on the mound, Baek Jung-hyun was able to ease the pressure and do his part.” “I don’t have any regrets about not making the QS,” Baek said.

Jang Jae-young, who started the day, tried to overpower his opponent with his fastball, topping out at 153 kilometers per hour, but was unable to do so. Instead, he was hit for six fours, a balk and a header. Baek Jung-hyun showed his class with the art of slowness.

Samsung’s second half was hot. After resuming the second half of the season, Samsung has been on an upswing with five wins, one draw and three losses. With all five starters expected to be solid, Baek Jung-hyun’s return is expected to heat things up even more.