KIA Tigers manager Kim Jong-kook gave a not bad evaluation of Lee Eui-ri’s return pitch after shaking off his injury. It is a big harvest just by confirming his health.

Ahead of Game 11 of the season against the Doosan Bears in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on the 5th, head coach Kim Jong-kook said, “Fortunately, I heard that Lee Eui-ri has no pain after starting. I think he will pitch well with a more comfortable mind next time.”

KIA decorated the match against the Incheon SSG Landers with an 8-6 come-from-behind victory on the 3rd and swept three consecutive weekend wins. After winning eight consecutive games, he jumped from fifth to fourth. 온라인경마

However, Lee Eui-ri’s pitching, who started as a starting pitcher, was a fly in the ointment. Lee Eui-ri started against Suwon KT Wiz on the 22nd of last month, but was diagnosed with simple inflammation of the shoulder joint the next day at a thorough examination after complaining of physical condition during the game. He took a break for 10 days and returned to the first team stage.

Lee Eui-ri recorded four hits, two home runs, three walks, four strikeouts and four runs in three innings against SSG on the 3rd. Choo Shin-soo and Cho Hyung-woo were shaken by allowing home runs and went down the mound faster than expected.

First of all, head coach Kim Jong-kook explained, “The SSG match on the 3rd started with Lee Eui-ri’s pitches from 80 to early 80 in advance, so I could only throw until the 3rd inning.”

He also believes that Lee Eui-ri himself pitched with a little concern (about his physical condition). “I think I’ll throw it a little more comfortably next time I take the mound,” he said.

Lee Eui-ri has 10 wins, 6 losses, and a 4.11 ERA in 22 games this season. He succeeded in achieving double-digit wins for the second consecutive year following last year, but has not shown the aspect of an “inning eater” as his walk per nine innings reached 6.38. The average number of innings started is only 4⅔ innings.

If Lee Eui-ri is in charge of one game for every start, KIA’s mound management could be more breathable. With two to three more regular league starts expected before joining the Hangzhou Asian Games national team in the middle of this month, it is very important for KIA that Lee Eui-ri does his part.

Head coach Kim Jong-kook did not mention Lee Eui-ri separately, but emphasizes that the role of starting pitchers is important for KIA to maintain its current upward trend. As foreign pitcher Sanchez is out of the game due to injury, domestic starting pitchers need to cheer up a little more to make it easier to make it to fourth and third place at the end of the season.

Head coach Kim Jong-kook said, “Recently, the starting pitcher is the most worrisome. Bullpen pitchers are doing so well. He said, “We’re blocking it with at least a run at every game,” adding, “Thanks to bullpen pitchers, batters are also gaining strength.” “I’m worried about the starting pitchers,” he added.