'5 games without conceding a goal in the semi-PO' Hernandez "I can play in all the PO games"

SorayaFrench

 appeared in relief in all five games of the professional baseball playoffs (PO) against KT Wiz.

Hernandez, who went up to the mound without rest and threw 117 pitches, showed no signs of fatigue and appeared as the closing pitcher in the 5th semi-PO game held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 11th, blocking the game with no hits, 1 walk, or runs for 1 inning.

Hernandez also threw the final pitch to end the intense 2024 PO.

LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said of Hernandez, who pitched 7⅓ innings, allowed 5 hits, struck out 10 batters, and earned 2 saves and 1 hold in the 5th PO game, 

"Hernandez set the team spirit with his dedication. In my heart, the MVP is Hernandez." In the actual PO MVP voting, Chan-Kyu Lim, who won two games, won the PO MVP award with 34 votes, beating Hernandez, who received 19 votes.

However, Hernandez received recognition from the manager and also earned the title of the first foreign pitcher to appear in all five single PO games.

After the game, Hernandez congratulated his teammate on his award, saying, "Im Chan-gyu's performance was great. 

He showed 100% every time he pitched, so of course, he should be selected as the MVP."

He continued, "I'm satisfied that I was able to show everything I can do by appearing in all the games like this," and "In a series like this, there are things that you have to sacrifice. 

I volunteered to make the sacrifice because I wanted to help my teammates, and I enjoyed it," preaching the 'joy of sacrifice.' Hernandez, who was a starter during the regular season, moved to the bullpen during the postseason.

After the PO, Manager Yeom confirmed Hernandez as the 'fall stage closing pitcher'.

"A closing pitcher has to take on the mound with a lot of responsibility," Hernandez said. "It's nice that I got a chance to save, but I also feel the pressure of not making mistakes."

As the burden is great, the joy of protecting the team's victory is also great.

"When I finish a game and do the celebration, it's an emotion that's hard to put into words. I share that feeling with my teammates," Hernandez said.

Manager Yeom Gyeong-yeop said, "Until Hernandez recovers, we plan to use him as a 'one-inning closing pitcher' as much as possible."

However, Son Ju-young, who played in the bullpen with Hernandez in the PO, may become a starter in the PO, increasing the dependence on Hernandez.

Whenever Hernandez was asked about "fatigue" while playing in the semi-PO, he said, "If you keep thinking positively, good things will happen. I always think positively and prepare to pitch."

PO also plans to play with a bright expression.

When asked, "Can you pitch in five games in the PO?" Hernandez cheerfully replied, "Of course."

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