Hanwha pitcher Moon Dong-ju went on early rest after his season finale appearance.

Moon started the game against LG at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on Wednesday and was removed with runners on first and second in the fifth inning with the score 5-3. He threw 105 pitches in 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on 11 hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He did not add a run.

He didn’t last five innings due to a high pitch count early on. Moon threw 82 pitches through three innings, including 33 in the first and 32 in the third. He allowed one run in the first and one in the second before giving up a solo home run to Oh Ji-hwan in the top of the fifth. He then gave up back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second, prompting a pitching change.스포츠토토

Coach Choi Won-ho, who said before the game, “Moon Dong-joo can throw about 100 pitches,” tried to take care of Moon Dong-joo’s win requirements as much as possible, but it was obvious that his control dropped when he allowed a home run, a single, and a double. The team’s victory came first, not Moon’s.

After Moon went down, the bullpen of Kim Bum-soo, Joo Hyun-sang, and Park Sang-won pitched a scoreless inning to hold on to a 5-3 lead and win the game. Kim Bum-soo earned the save. After the game, Choi Won-ho said, “Moon Dong-ju pitched his last game of the season today, and I want to say that he had a tough season.”

In his second year as a professional, Moon finished the season with an 8-8 record in 23 games with a 3.72 ERA and 95 strikeouts. In April, he recorded a KBO-certified fastball of 160.1 kilometers. This is the fastest fastball ever recorded by a Korean pitcher in the KBO.

Moon, who ended his season with this appearance due to Hanwha’s 120-inning limit, said, “I’m very disappointed. I would like to give myself 100 points for being in the starting rotation without getting sick this season.” The following is a one-on-one interview with Moon Dong-ju.

-It was very disappointing.

It was my last game, so I wanted to show a lot of good things, but I got hit a lot. There were many times when the count was unfavorable, and overall, I think I was very disappointed.

If I had taken fewer hits, I would have been fine with the outcome of the game, but since the outcome of the game was not good, I think I am very disappointed.

-Were you conscious of the fact that it was your last game?

I pitched each inning as if it was my last, so I think I did my best for each batter today rather than trying to control my pitching. It was the last time.

The game between the LG Twins and the Hanwha Eagles in the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ was held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on the afternoon of September 3. Hanwha starter Moon Dong-joo, who finished his inning in the fourth inning, greeted LG’s Shin Min-jae, who was hit by his fastball during the game. 2023.09.03 /cej@osen.co.kr

-Were there some things you didn’t like, like the balance?

I don’t think I was perfect today. It wasn’t a perfect pitch like I thought it would be, but I knew I had to stay in the game in that situation, so I tried to get through as many innings as I could.

-From the first inning, you had a lot of full counts and a lot of pitches. How were you trying to compete?

I think I got three hits in the first inning, but I think I got more hits because LG’s bats are so strong. When I was getting hit, I was trying not to get hit and the ball count got longer. I threw with the same feeling as usual, but it was a little off-balance.

-Now that you’re heading to Seosan, how do you spend your time before the Asian Games?

I haven’t gotten the training schedule yet, so I don’t know exactly what will happen. I’ll work hard to prepare as soon as I get the schedule.

-The 120-inning limit was planned before, but now you won’t be able to be with the first team.

I want to help the team win, but the club made the decision with me in mind, so I have to be grateful. I will go to the Asian Games and come back with good results.

On the afternoon of September 3, the game between the LG Twins and the Hanwha Eagles in the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ was held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.Hanwha starter Moon Dong-ju throws a practice pitch. 2023.09.03 /cej@osen.co.kr

-I don’t feel like I want to pitch more or try to win 10 games.

I want to keep pitching in the offseason, but I should have pitched well when I had the opportunity. As always, even if you have a career-high season, there will be regrets. I think every athlete has that, so I will work harder for the Asian Games.

-If you look at the season as a whole.

First of all, I’m happy that I didn’t get sick and did well. The season isn’t over yet, but I think I’ve achieved my goal because I’m not sick and I’m doing well.

-If I had to grade myself.

I think I’m at 100 so far because I’m not sick and I’m doing well. I didn’t set any record goals, so I think I’m a 100 for not getting hurt and making the rotation this year, and I’ll have to reevaluate the baseball part of it.