‘Debut QS’ Lee Jung-yong “Team won 4 out of 5 starts…gave me good energy”

LG Twins right-hander Lee Jung-yong (26) narrowly missed out on his first career quality start. His first quality start (QS-6 innings or more and three or fewer earned runs) was significant enough.

Lee started the 2023 KBO League home game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on February 2 and pitched six innings of three-hit ball. He didn’t walk a single batter.

In the top of the seventh inning, Lee turned the mound over to bullpen pitcher Ham Deok-ju. After struggling to hit Kiwoom ace Ahn Woo-jin, the LG offense scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead. LG held on to the lead and won 6-3.

Despite the blown start, Lee Jung-yong deserves to be named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the day. He pitched well against a tough starting lineup. He retired the first eight batters he faced in the top of the third inning, and after giving up the first hit to Kim Tae-jin, he fanned Lee Yong-gyu. In the top of the fourth, I gave up a hit, but induced two groundouts to keep the game scoreless. He retired Park Chan-hyuk, Lee Ji-young, and Kim Tae-jin after a leadoff double to left field. In the sixth inning, Lee Yong-kyu, Kim Hye-sung, and Ronnie Dawson retired the first three batters in a row. 안전놀이터

Lee Jung-yong was originally a bullpen pitcher. He was a member of the pitching staff. But he made the transition to starting pitcher on March 25 against the Lotte Giants. Technically, it’s a work in progress. He started as the opener in that game, and has since increased his innings pitched. On March 27, he threw four innings against the KT Wiz and earned his first career QS.

For LG, it’s more than expected. They recently acquired Choi Won-tae from Kiwoom to bolster their starting rotation, and they have a number of starters who are preparing for call-ups from the Futures League. In this situation, Lee Jung-yong, who has been used as a substitute starter, has been getting better and better. It’s just as coach Yoon Kyung-yeop planned.

After the game, Lee said, “My changeup (forkball) wasn’t good, but my catcher, Park Dong-won, led me well, so it was a good result.” “Even if I don’t win, it’s important for the team to win. In the five games I started, the team still won four of them, so I’m playing with the idea of giving the team good energy.”