Connor started the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League home game against the KT Wiz at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 22nd, throwing 95 pitches in six innings and pitching well with two hits, five outs and nine strikeouts.
Corner, who had quality start (more than six innings and less than three earned runs) in two consecutive games, came down in the top of the seventh inning with his team leading 3-1, securing his fourth win (three losses) of this season. He also lowered his ERA from 4.47 to 4.16.
Connor, who was hired after David Buchanan's departure as a successful foreign pitcher, wore a Samsung uniform with high expectations for the highest treatment of 1 million U.S. dollars as a first-year foreign player. He started the opening game as the first starter, and displayed good pitching by allowing two runs (one earned run) in six innings.
However, he experienced ups and downs. He was responsible for more than five innings except for one game, but allowed more than three runs in five consecutive games.
Recently, the atmosphere has completely changed. He pitched less than two earned runs in three consecutive games. In particular, he played seven innings against the NC Dinos on the 10th, the most since his debut in the KBO League.
After that, he was flawless. Although he allowed two walks in the sixth inning, he struck out two and put out the fire himself. After giving up two walks in the seventh inning, he passed the ball to Kim Tae-hoon, who blocked without losing a point, and was able to secure his fourth win (three losses) of this season.
The maximum speed of fastballs was 152 km per hour, but he threw only 39 pitches, and threw more breaking balls including 32 cutters, 13 sliders, and nine change-up pitches, cooking up KT's batters. He also mixed fork balls and curves.
Connor said after the match, "I feel great. I'm so happy that my team can win. All of my teammates did what they had to do, and I'm so happy that I can play well against a good batter called Cuevas," adding, "I thought losing consecutive games had nothing to do with (pitching), and I was disappointed, but I didn't feel any pressure or anything."
"Connor displayed perfect pitching as the first starter," coach Park Jin-man said. "It is encouraging that Connor has continued to display stable performance since May." Nine strikeouts are the most recorded by an individual in the KBO league.
Connor was particularly sensitive to the mound's condition. "While reinforcing the mound, (Connor) seems to have no major difficulties on the mound compared to the beginning," coach Park Jin-man said on the previous day. "I think I feel that Lions Park is not that bad as I have experienced other stadiums as well. I am reinforcing and managing the park. I think it will get better from now on."
Connor's remarks were somewhat different. "I think Won Tae-in also had some problems with the mound, and so far this season, he still has some discomfort about the mound," he said. "Other pitchers are having difficulty adjusting to the mound, but I think it is something that needs to be overcome."
He explains that he constantly feels a little pushed when landing a foot. He explained that he feels more sensitive than when thrown at other stadiums. He said that something needs reinforcement, adding that he should think about it together.
Connor also showed signs of not liking the game. There was also a scene of the mound maintenance during the game. Nevertheless, he was not shaken.
A change in pitching pattern has found a solution. Corner, who had been sluggish with two wins and two losses with ERA 5.35 in seven games through April, has completely changed with 2-1 loss and ERA 2.35 in four games he played in May. "I think I have produced good results in the recent four starts," he said. "I studied things like how to fix and how to attack batters, and I think it turned out to be a good result."
In particular, his last two games were impressive. In the match against SSG Landers on Tuesday, he pitched seven innings for the most innings in a season, allowing three runs (two earned) and breaking his personal strikeout record with QS again on the day.
Connor said, "Rather than being able to play a long inning because of aggressive pitching, I've been thinking about the ball mix with the two catchers so far, and if I threw mainly on fastballs at the beginning of the season, I think this is the result as I'm studying how to target hitters by mixing several pitches appropriately."
Lions Park is a baseball stadium that is friendly to batters. According to Statiz, a baseball statistics site, Lions Park has the highest home run park factor (an indicator of disadvantage depending on the stadium). This is why Samsung pitchers are doing better at home stadiums.
Corner also showed weakness in Daegu with one win and two losses, six home runs and an ERA of 6.43, but it was different on the day. "It's not like a batter-friendly stadium where you mix the balls accordingly," he said. "I focused more on how to operate according to the opponent's lineup and how to deal with batters at every bat."
He also made a defensive error in the process of losing points, but he didn't mind. He also had excellent teamwork with catcher Lee Byung-hun. Compared to Kang, he has extensive experience, but when Conner gave up a walk on the day, he visited the mound to console him. "I was able to control my mind because Byung-hun strongly encouraged me to say it was okay," Conner said. "It's really fun and nice to play with Byung-hun and be able to keep pace with the battery. I think we can communicate well with each other, and that's why we're leading to good results."
I still have more to show, but I don't think I'll be overly greedy. "I think KBO hitters are of high quality and competitive edge. They just have different styles compared to U.S. players and those who play in Minor League or Major League Baseball," Connor said. "I have a lot of walks, so if I can reduce it a little, I will have better results. Still, I don't think I should be overly greedy because I'm throwing well."
It is more meaningful because it was a victory against Samsung killer William Cuevas.
BY: 토토사이트
