Seo Gets Fourth Win of Season

After four previous attempts, Seo Jae-weong (New York Mets) became the first Korean pitcher to reach four wins this season.

Chalk this victory up to ball-control.

On June 30, Seo earned his fourth victory (with five losses) by starting against the Cincinnati Reds, tying his most innings thrown this season, six and one third innings, while giving up four runs. It is his first victory in almost a month after winning against the Florida Marlins on June 4. It was a relieving win, with Seo vindicating himself from his last start against Cincinnati, when he gave up three homeruns, and proving himself again as a starter with rumors spreading that he would be excluded from the starting rotation due to his poor play.

Seo threw 100 pitches to 28 batters, with eight hits, three walks and five strikeouts. “My changeup was good, and keeping the ball low was very effective,” said Seo. “I threw many pitches, but my shoulder is not tired.” He also mentioned that correcting his pitching form at the advice of his teammate Mike Stanton (37) was very effective and crucial for the win. It was pointed out that when throwing, Seo’s wrist would sink low, so he tried to snap his wrist.

On this day, Seo’s fastball was clocked at a mere 142kmph, but his sharp curveballs and precise control took care of the Cincinnati lineup. Although it was regretful that Seo gave up a two-run homerun in the seventh to pinch-hitter Larson, Seo had a good game until the sixth, allowing a run and five hits. In particular, Seo was in high spirits when he struck out Cincinnati slugger Adam Dunn--who has 22 homers and 48 RBI this season--three consecutive times.

In the second inning, while Mets were leading 1-0, Seo allowed a double to Jimenez and walked LaRue, placing runners on first and second with no outs, when Pena laced a hit to right field, bringing in a run and tying the game. Nevertheless, with a lucky double play and a groundball to the catcher, Seo escaped from the jam. Seo was once again jammed in fifth, leading 2-1, with runners at the corners and one out, but got out of it when first baseman Piazza grabbed Clark’s groundball and bagged the third base runner, Castro.

While Seo was holding firm on the mound, the New York Mets solidified the victory with Floyd’s three-run homerun and Wigginton’s two-run shot in the sixth, and extended the gap to 7-1. The final score was a 7-5 New York Mets win.

Seo will try to earn his fifth win and have a two-game winning streak in inter-league games when he faces the New York Yankees at 2:10 a.m. on July 5.

Choi Hee-seop (Florida Marlins) entered the game at first base during the eighth when the Marlins were leading by a run in an away game against the Atlanta Braves. He had one at bat, but struck out. The Marlins, however, won 5-4.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com