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“I wanted to go down.”

Lotte Giants Na Kyun-an (25) had a ‘fight for life’ at the Sajik Hanwha match on the 27th. 8 innings, 4 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts, a perfect pitch. The number of pitches was 107. Considering that it was April, which was still at the very beginning of the season, he could be regarded as a relatively large number of pitches. In fact, it was the most pitches and the most innings in a single game for Na Kyun-an.

It was Na Gyun-an who continued to cruise every inning, and led the innings efficiently enough to have the highest number of pitches per inning with 15. At the end of the seventh inning, the number of pitches was 89. It was a situation where I was able to look down even to the end of my heart. However, it could not be seen that the number of pitches was low.

However, he was on the mound until the 8th inning. He held on until the 8th inning with 2 outs. In the 8th inning, lead batter Moon Hyun-bin got a floating ball from center fielder after 3 pitches, and after that, he struck out on a swing after an 8-pitch battle with pinch hitter Lee Seong-gon. The number of pitches has already hit 100.

There were too many pitches to take responsibility for the shutout. Still, I was able to take full responsibility for the 8th episode. However, after two outs, he allowed a right-handed hit on the 5th pitch with Noh Soo-gwang and 2 balls and 2 strikes. The number of pitches has already increased as much as it will grow.

Pitching coach Bae Young-soo stepped onto the mound. He could have even changed the pitcher if necessary, but Coach Bae did not receive the ball from the referee. It is to ask the doctor of Na Kyun-an first. Coach Bae asked Na Kyun-an, “Can you take responsibility until the end?” Koo Seung-min was already preparing for the bullpen.

However, Na Kyun-an replied, “I will try to stop it.” Then, coach Bae Young-soo encouraged catchers Yoo Gang-nam and Na Kyun-an together and went down the mound. After that, Kyun-an Na led Kim Tae-yeon to the shortstop grounder in two pitches and did not amplify the crisis any more.ㅋㅋㅋ벳

The moment Na Kyun-an cheered in the first base spectators above the dugout, the dugout was discussing again whether or not Na Kyun-an would pitch. There were three out counts left in the shutout. It was not a situation where the medal of complete victory could not be easily found. First of all, the pitcher’s intention was important.

Even after two outs in the 8th inning, he showed his will and showed his desire to complete the shutout after coming down the mound in the 8th inning. Na Kyun-an said, “I didn’t think about a complete shutout until the 8th inning. He said, “I thought I would do only what I could do,” but he said, “But I got greedy when I came down after blocking the 8th inning.” However, coach Bae Young-soo and Yoo Kang-nam said, “Let’s finish it when it’s good.” Na Kyun-an agreed to the decision while brooding over her regrets. 

Catcher Yoo Kang-nam, who worked perfectly with Na Kyun-ahn, was actually looking into the future farther than his immediate achievements. Yoo Kang-nam, who we met after the game, said, “Actually, I thought it would be nice if (Roh) Soo-gwang would get hit by his brother and go down with two outs in the 8th inning.” The season is long,” he confessed. I was worried about the condition of Na Kyun-ahn, who should continue to play an active role as an ace. 

Nonetheless, Yoo Kang-nam respected the pitcher’s intentions at the time and built up his pride. He said, “When the coach asked what he would do, I left the decision to the pitcher. He was trying to respect the doctor,” he explained. On the mound, Yoo Kang-nam knew that the pitcher’s intention was more important and that it was his pride. In the end, Kyun-an Na finished the 8th episode responsibly. Since then, Yoo Kang-nam has fulfilled his role as a veteran catcher by blocking Na Kyun-an’s 9th inning.

Yoo Kang-nam, who joined Lotte with a 4-year, 8 billion won free agent contract ahead of this season, completely melted into Lotte and became a reliable player. However, he suffered a lot from the pitching staff, which did not improve as he thought. He felt responsible for himself.

As he performed sluggishly in both selection and bullpen until early and mid-April, Yoo Kang-nam’s expression darkened and he felt a sense of responsibility. At the time, he said, “There are ups and downs during the long season, but when I fell to the bottom of the average ERA, I think it was a big blow to me.” But he deliberately tried not to show off. In that situation, he thought that the pitching staff would be more shaken if he didn’t show up and be motivated. So at that time, he didn’t talk at all and only gave feedback. He thought he could get better,” he explained.

However, Lotte is now gradually getting back on track. The bullpen has already found stability. Na Kyun-ahn is already playing an ace role, and the other starters are slowly improving. 

Lotte is making good use of Yoo Kang-nam’s experience and value, which cannot be counted with money. And along with Yoo Kang-nam, the pitching staff is building a relationship of faith, hope, and trust that can improve.