Incheon: SSG Landers starting pitcher Kim Keon-woo made history in the South Korean baseball postseason by striking out the first six batters he faced on Saturday. The 23-year-old left-hander, in his first Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason game, achieved this feat against the Samsung Lions during Game 2 of their first-round series at Incheon SSG Landers Field, located about 30 kilometers west of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim began his record-setting performance by striking out Lee Jae-hyeon with a fastball and then caught Kim Seong-yoon looking at a 0-2 fastball for his second strikeout. Koo Ja-wook was the next to fall, whiffing on a 3-2 fastball to conclude a six-pitch at-bat. The streak continued as Kim struck out Lewin Diaz looking at a fastball, Kim Young-woong on a 1-2 slider, and set the record by getting Kim Hun-gon to swing at a 0-2 changeup in the dirt.
The previous record for consecutive strikeouts stood at five, set by Keyvius Sampson of the Hanwha Eagles against the Nexen Heroes on October 20, 2018. Kim added another strikeout in the third inning as the Landers took a 2-0 lead. Despite his impressive start, Kim did not factor into the decision after being pulled with one out in the fourth inning following a two-run single by Diaz, which tied the game at 2-2. Reliever Lee Ro-un replaced him and prevented further scoring.
Kim threw a total of 49 pitches, 34 of which were strikes, utilizing 26 four-seam fastballs, 12 sliders, seven changeups, and four curveballs. The Landers regained the lead with a 3-2 advantage in the fifth inning, but the Lions equalized in the top of the ninth. Kim Seong-uk’s solo home run in the bottom of the ninth secured a 4-3 victory for the Landers, leveling the best-of-five series at 1-1.
Reflecting on his performance, Kim mentioned that he only learned about his record after the game. “Now that the game is over, it’s finally dawning on me now,” he said. Kim received the Game 2 start over ace Drew Anderson, who had been dealing with a stomach flu. Anderson is expected to pitch in Game 3 on Monday at the Lions’ home in Daegu, approximately 235 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
The Landers had lost the series opener 5-2 on Thursday, making Saturday’s game crucial. Kim, however, did not let the pressure affect him. “It was a great opportunity for me, but I regarded myself just as the first pitcher of this game, not the starting pitcher,” he explained. Kim credited his focus during the first inning to the team’s previous early setback in Game 1.
Kim also praised catcher Cho Hyeong-woo, his close friend, for his role in the game. Cho had caught for Kim during 52 2/3 of the 66 innings he pitched in the regular season. “He did a great job calling the game,” Kim said of Cho. “He told me that there’s nothing really special about a postseason game, and that I should trust him and make my pitches, no matter who comes to the plate. He really put me at ease.”
Regarding his early exit, Kim stated, “I knew there were better pitchers waiting behind me, and it was important not to give up our lead. I felt like I had done my part.”