After early struggles, NC right-hander Young Gun gives up 3 runs in 2 innings against Lotte

NC Dinos right-hander Yong-jun Lee, born in 2002, had a rough day.

He took the mound against the Lotte Giants of the 2023 KBO Baseball League at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on May 25.

Yoo has been one of NC’s breakout stars this year. He made his professional debut in 2021 and didn’t win a game until last year, but he’s been in full bloom this year and has earned a spot in the starting lineup. Before this game, he had a 2-1 record with a 2.45 ERA.

However, in his last start before this game, 먹튀검증 on April 19 against the Changwon Samsung Lions (4-5 NC), Yoo struggled, allowing five runs on seven hits, three home runs, two walks and four strikeouts in 3.2 innings. A bounce-back game was needed to turn the tide.

Before the game, NC manager Kang Myung-ho said, “(Yong-jun) has good memories of the last time he pitched against Lotte (April 23 in Changwon). He pitched well (six innings of no-hit ball with three walks and five strikeouts). It’s unfortunate that he didn’t get the win in the end, but I think he’ll pitch well today with a fresh mind,” he said.

However, Yong-joon was unable to respond to his manager’s wishes. He was shaky with his pitches in the early going. Coming off the mound with his team trailing 0-3, he would take his second loss of the season (2-2) if NC was unable to tie the game.

It started off badly. In the first inning, he gave up a walk to the first batter, Kim Min-seok. The next batter, Ahn Kwon-soo, singled up the middle, but a poor throwing error by the defense put runners on second and third with no outs. Lee gave up RBI singles to Jeon Jun-woo and Ahn Chi-hong, and a sacrifice fly to center field. He was relieved to strike out Han Dong-hee and Noh Jin-hyuk in succession to prevent further damage.

In the bottom of the second inning, they couldn’t avoid a run. After giving up a double to right field to leadoff hitter Ko Seung-min, they gave up sacrifice bunts and walks to Lee Jung-geun and Park Seung-wook to put runners on first and third.

The opponent’s double steal attempt came at this point, but Yoo Yong-jun, who was trying to cut off a throw from catcher Park Se-hyuk, couldn’t get a good grip on the ball and had to watch as Ko Seung-min, the third baseman, crossed the plate. After a walk to Kim Min-seok, he walked Ahn Kwon-soo (fly to left field) and Jeon Jun-woo (grounder to third base) to end the inning.

His final line was 2 innings, 3 hits, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts, and 3 runs. His total pitch count was 54 pitches, and his fastball was measured up to 149 kilometers.