It was a big boost for Doosan, who are in a precarious position on the ice.
Choi started a home game against the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, on April 19, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk in six innings.
Behind Choi's strong performance, Doosan defeated Kia 9-4 to extend its winning streak to four games.
After the game, Doosan manager Lee Seung-yeop said, “Seung-yong Choi pitched a QS and did 100% of his job as a starter. He gave up a run in the first inning, but he pitched six effective innings with 73 pitches. He got his first QS of the season at a time when the team needed it.”
Choi gave up two runs in the first inning, including a leadoff triple to Kim Do-young over the center field fence.
However, he shut down the KIA bats from then on, except for a solo shot to Socrates Brito in the fourth inning.
He pitched primarily with his fastball, which reached 147 mph, and mixed in a slider, forkball, and curveball.
It was Choi's first QS in 11 months since October 3 last year against the Kiwoom Heroes (6 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs) and his first start in 13 months since August 8, 2023 against the Samsung Lions (5⅓ innings, 3 hits, 1 run).
“I started the season late due to injury, so it feels good to contribute to the team in this way,” Choi said after the game.
“I was nervous because Kim Do-young was about to hit the record (40 home runs and 40 doubles),” said Choi, who recalled the first inning, ”but after I got hit by Do-young, I regained my composure.”
Choi split time between starting and relieving last year, going 3-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 31 games with one save.
He appeared to have a lock on a starting spot in 2024, but he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his elbow earlier this year and didn't take the mound until July 28.
“I was in a hurry, but I wanted to make sure I could come back,” Choi said, ”and now I have no after-effects from the injury and my pitches are getting better and better.”
Choi, who started the season three months later than the other pitchers, hopes to make up for it in the rest of the regular season and postseason.
“I'm starting again after four days off,” Choi said. I controlled my pitches well today, so I won't have any problems in my next start,” Choi said. ”My pitches are coming up to the same level as last year. I will pitch hard to help the team win more games in the remaining regular season and postseason,” he promised. 토토사이트
