Historic (3)
Park Gwangho took the mound until the 7th inning.
Meanwhile, the Titans' bullpen came in sequentially.
They'd been mocked as the "unemployed bullpen" mid-season, but with more recent appearances, they thankfully held the lead.
Of course.
Not that they didn't allow runs. The Titans' weakest link right now was the bullpen, after all. But.
"Strike three!"
The offense had provided a big cushion, so no dire crises.
Top of the 8th.
Runners on base thanks to the error.
Titans closer Jo Yongjin lived up to the manager's faith.
"Strike three!"
And top of the 9th.
"Hyah!"
"Munwoo!"
"Uh... screw it!"
"Out!"
Lots happened, but the Titans took the win.
But it wasn't a disaster for the losing Carvers either. Because.
With that, Kim Choongsik wrapped up the broadcast, pointing out the Titans' bullpen concerns ahead of Game 2.
"Tch. What does that old man know? Why's he ragging on me?"
After the game, manager Jeong Hyeonho grumbled upon hearing the final commentary.
A playful smile tugged at his lips.
Doubleheaders get an hour break between games.
Players use it for light training for Game 2, late meals, or personal time.
"Hm..."
I was chilling on the locker room couch, munching a banana.
Then.
"Yuha. Gwangho's looking for you?"
Senior Baek Jihun, his classmate, relayed the message.
"Yeah? Wonder why."
Curious, I got up to meet Park Gwangho.
"..."
His face was stiff as he stormed over the second he saw me.
"What is it?" "Huh?"
Still spouting cryptic stuff hard to parse.
"Why'd you come out after just 5 innings?"
Ah.
'That was his gripe?'
He'd been hyped for this matchup forever, so maybe he hated me bailing early.
"Scared and ran away?"
But.
'That's crossing a line.'
Me? Afraid of a duel with a guy who coughed up 6?
"Me? Scared of facing a pitcher who gave up 6 runs?" "Urk..."
See? He couldn't even clap back.
5 innings, perfect game vs. 7 innings, 6 runs. Clear win for me. So.
"If anything, I was being nice. If I'd kept going, you'd have looked pathetic."
He should be thanking me, really.
"Heh... yeah, you could think that."
But Park Gwangho shook his head.
"But! In a doubleheader opener, innings eaten matter most for a starter! I threw 7—you only 5—so I pitched better!"
And spewed nonsense.
"Hm... sure. Believe what you want. I'm generous."
Didn't even annoy me.
I knew he was ego-driven, twisting facts to suit himself.
"Did I ever say I only threw 5?"
His premise was wrong from the jump.
"...What?"
Loved his panicked face.
"Dohwan."
Break time.
Koo Dohwan frowned at Park Gwangho suddenly calling him.
"Back already from seeing Yuha?"
Honestly wished Jin Yuha had stalled him longer.
Unlike Titans' two-catcher setup with Park Cheongwon and Jeong Hanseong, Carvers had just Koo Dohwan as starter. Huge physical toll.
'Need more rest...'
Couldn't relax with Park Gwangho around. Their ace was a concept-obsessed pain.
"Why'd you call?"
What could he do? Starters were nobles; catchers, peasants.
"...Do you think..."
Even top-tier noble—near-royal—ace Park Gwangho hesitated.
'He's not usually like this?'
Something serious?
"A starter from Game 1 pitching Game 2 possible?"
No way.
"Pfft, ridiculous. No chance."
Jin Yuha must've messed with him.
"...Right?" "Yeah, you're a pitcher—you know. Shoulders cool off completely."
Park Gwangho nodded, still uneasy at Koo's answer.
"Yeah, makes sense. Gotta review the game then."
After he left.
'No way... even a madman like Jin Yuha wouldn't. He threw 5 innings in Game 1.'
Park's unease infected Koo.
'...Nah?'
Shouldn't have asked.
—"Tch. Wonder if pitching after you means getting shelled for nothing."
James Gilbert had said that before Game 2.
He's like me in many ways.
Righty. Aggressive. Sweeper as out pitch. Etc.
Obviously, his velocity and levels lag mine.
So I got his worry, but...
'Worry my ass.'
Such a drama queen.
"Strike three!"
"Out!"
"Strike three!"
Contrary to fears, James Gilbert shut down the top of the 1st.
With 2 Ks to boot. Perfect.
'Sweeper's dialed in.'
Probably his last season in Korea.
'Dad said Mets are eyeing him.'
James's dream: majors, Mets uniform. No way he'd say no.
But.
'What'd he mean by "hope it's a signing I'd approve"?'
Thinks I'd join Mets with him there?
'No shot.'
Mets desperate or not, not for that reason.
Unlike Game 1's early blowout, Game 2 was a nail-biter from the start.
"Strike three!"
Titans starter James Gilbert: 6 IP, 1 ER, dealing.
"Out!"
Carvers starter Max Taylor: 6 IP, 2 ER, stingy.
Pitcher's duel unfolding.
—...
Titans fans, desperate for that regular season crown after 60 years, watched in hushed tension. No one wanted a silly fan slip-up to ruin it.
The random post hit the Titans fan community then.
Jin Yuha, winning pitcher with 5 scoreless in Game 1. The Titans super ace was warming in the pen.