10K Strikeout Show

Kim Byung-hyun (28, Florida Marlins) succeeded in reaching 50 career wins since his debut in the U.S. major league eight years ago. On August 2, Kim stepped up to the mound as a starter in the home game against Colorado at Dolphin Stadium, Miami. After pitching 5 1/3 innings, he finished as winning pitcher, delivering powerful balls that squeezed ten strikeouts and tied up the opposing team’s bats; allowing only two points. His earned run average dropped from 4.72 to 4.63.

Kim Byung-hyun recorded his sixth win (5 losses) this season, reaching the height of 50 career wins since his big league debut eight years ago in 1999 in Arizona.

Park Chan-ho holds the highest record among Korean players, with a total of 113 career wins. He is followed by Kim Byung-hyun (50 wins), Seo Jae-eung (28 wins), Kim Seon-woo (13 wins), Baek Cha-seung (9 wins), Bong Jung-geun (7 wins), Cho Jin-ho (2 wins) and Ryu Je-guk (1 win).

Perhaps it was because he was conscious of his record; Kim’s pitches showed considerable power, but his ball control was questionable. He threw 126 balls throughout the game, of which 37 were just during the first inning, and allowed five base hits and seven four-balls. However, Kim Byung-hyun made his way through a number of close calls, grabbing strikeouts at crucial moments. The 10 strikeouts broke his personal record of most strikeouts in one match (previously set at 9).

He was in trouble from the first inning. Kim Byung-hyun surrendered the first point when he allowed Willy Taveras a hit and a steal to second base, which was followed up by a double by Kaz Matsui. Shortly after, with one out and a player on second base, Todd Helton made another two-base hit, forcing Kim to give up another point. Afterwards, his ball hit a batter and along with four-balls, the situation was brought to two out with bases loaded. But Kim surrendered no further points and settled matters with pitches that caused poor hitting.

Once the scores were tied 2-2, with the help of the team’s batting line, Kim recovered and recorded four straight strikeouts starting from the third inning with one out. Florida’s Miguel Carbrera widened the gap to 4-2 with a solo homerun in the fifth inning, lightening the burden on Kim’s shoulders. In the sixth inning, with Florida leading 4-2, Kim stepped down from the mound after surrendering a base hit and a walk, leaving the field with one out and two bases full. However, the relief pitcher secured Kim Byung-hyun a winning game by causing the batters to hit poorly with difficult pitches. Florida won 4-3.

hic@donga.com