As unlucky as Ahn Woo-jin… ‘Already 2 losses’ Anderson, ‘sleeping batting line’ is a shame
Shawn Anderson (29), who was given the first important start for the KIA Tigers. The bad luck that the nickname ‘ancry’ is attached to continues. It is as bad luck as Ahn Woo-jin (24, Kiwoom Heroes), the best pitcher in the league. 안전놀이터
Anderson started the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League home opener against the Doosan Bears at KIA Champions Field in Gwangju on the 7th, and pitched 7⅓ innings, 6 hits (1 home run), 3 strikeouts, 3 runs (2 earned).
But what Anderson got was another defeat. He has already become a two-loss pitcher as he hardly receives support from the other line even after throwing excellent pitches with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.21.
The 1st loss was disappointing. He gave up second base with a stolen base after getting a left-handed hit by lead batter Sue-bin Jeong. The curve fell low and bounced in front of the catcher, and in the meantime, Soo-bin Jeong dug into the third base. When Heo Kyung-min’s right fielder hit the ball, Su-bin rushed home. 1 run per hit with no walks.
After that, he pitched impeccably until the 7th inning. Based on a fastball in the second half of 140 km/h, he harassed Doosan batters by throwing a slider, curve, and changeup. In particular, from the 4th to the 7th inning, he faced only 12 batters and threw 34 pitches. The average number of pitches per inning was less than 10.
Anderson, who threw 79 pitches, also got on the mound in the 8th inning. The slider thrown at Yang Seok-hwan was driven to the center and led directly to a home run. 2nd run. After that, it was more regrettable after being hit by Jo Soo-haeng on the right. Conscious of the fast-footed runner Jo Soo-haeng, he tried to check first base, but Byeon Woo-hyuk missed it. He then induced Kang Seung-ho to hit a ground ball to the third baseman, but Byun Woo-hyeok missed another throw and allowed more runs. In the end, the first company passed the ball to Kim Dae-yu and came down from the mound.
The problem is that the KIA lineup was scoreless until the 8th inning. In the opening game against SSG Landers, Anderson gave up 3 runs in 6⅔ innings. He didn’t pitch brilliantly, but he did his job as a starting pitcher with a quality start. However, the batting line only scored 1 goal and took the loss. The misfortune of the day was even worse.
During 14 innings, the other line’s support was only one point. An Woo-jin overlaps. An Woo-jin is also walking the same path as Anderson. He came out with the Hanwha Eagles as a starter for the opening game, pitched 6 scoreless innings, and also appeared against the NC Dinos on the 7th, pitching 7 innings and 1 run. ERA was 0.69. However, the support for the other line was only two points in the opening game. He went down in a lead situation, but the bullpen gave up runs and it became a no-die cast. On the 7th, he became a losing pitcher as the other line could not produce a single point. During 13 innings, the batting line support is 2 points.
Among the first starters of the KIA and Kiwoom teams, who will be the first to break the chain of bad luck and win first? The outlook is bleaker for Anderson. Na Seong-beom, who should protect the center of the batting line, was unable to make the opening entry due to a calf injury, and Kim Do-young suffered a toe fracture and was sidelined for more than four months. Kim Sun-bin also sprained his ankle. Anderson’s bad luck isn’t just personal. If the first starter fights hard but the other line is silent, victory is far away. Even though the team situation is not easy, it is the point where more effort is required from the other line.