Instead of a win streak, he got a save. Things are looking up for Hanwha Eagles closer Jang Si-hwan (35).
Jang pitched one scoreless inning in the bottom of the 10th inning of his team’s 5-4 win over the Kiwoom Heroes in the 2023 KBO League at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Saturday to preserve the victory.
It was his first save of the season and 34th of his career.
Jang, who became a free agent after the end of last season, signed a three-year, $930 million contract with Hanwha. He is guaranteed through his age-38 season.
However, the season got off to a dismal start. On April 1, the opening day, he pitched the 10th inning of an extra-inning game against Gochuk Kiwoom and gave up the winning run to Lee Hyung-jong. His losing streak reached 19 games.카지노사이트
After that, he was sent down to the second team as his physical condition declined. He didn’t return until three months later in July. After providing a boost to the bullpen at the end of the first half, Jang slowly proved his worth in the second half.
Coincidentally, his chance to break the losing streak came at the site of a 19-game losing streak. In the seventh inning of the 25th game against Kiwoom, Jang pitched one scoreless inning in relief. In the top of the eighth inning, the team’s bats exploded for 13 runs. With a 16-6 victory, Jang was an emotional pitcher. He ended his losing streak after 1036 days.
After the game, Jang shed tears of joy. The junior pitchers doused him with water and celebrated wildly. In an interview, Jang said, “I want to go on a winning streak now.”
Although the win didn’t come, the good spirits continued.
Taking the mound in the bottom of the 10th inning with his team up 5-4, Jang gave up a walk to leadoff hitter Ronnie Dawson, but got Lee Won-seok to ground out to third, Song Sung-moon to strike out, and Lee Hyung-jong to fly out to right field to preserve the win, snapping a 19-game losing streak.
Jang celebrated on the mound, high-fiving his teammates. It was his first save in just over a year since July 26 against the Pohang Samsung Lions last year.
With the win, Jang continued his streak of no-hitters in July. He went 5⅓ innings. With this, Jang ended his losing streak and now has a save. He’s back to being a closer, albeit temporarily.