‘Stopper’
According to Dickson’s baseball dictionary, it is defined as “a starting pitcher who can expect to win a decisive game, and a pitcher who is the best in the team to prevent a losing streak.” did.
Rocketman Roger Clemens made his name as a ‘stopper’ by winning 111 games after the team lost when he was active with the Boston Red Sox from 1984 to 1996.
The San Diego Padres, who had lost four consecutive games, were pushed to the brink against the Boston Red Sox on the 22nd (Korean time). The batting line did not explode, and only losses continued to pile up as the starting pitcher was deprived of the first point. The bullpen is scoreless in 30.1 consecutive innings. The team’s losing streak is an absolute slump in offense.
In the finale against Boston, the Padres selection is Michael Waka (31). Last year, while active in Boston, he recorded an average ERA of 3.32 with 11 wins and 2 losses. He became a free agent in the offseason and signed with the Padres for a four-year, $26 million salary. But not the ace of the team. Darvish Yu is the ace.
Waka led the team to a 7-0 victory against Boston with 5 hits, 1 walk and 4 strikeouts in 6 innings. In the offense, Rugned Odor, who played as second baseman and number 7 hitter, took the lead. He posted 4 RBI with 2 doubles from left and right field.안전놀이터
Waka (5-1, 3.58) was sluggish in April. He went 2-1 with an earned run average of 6.75. In May, he began to continue his stable pitching. On the 10th, against the Minnesota Twins, he won 6-1 with a good pitching of 6 innings, 2 hits and 1 run (0 earned run). After that, the team fell into a 5-game losing streak. On the 16th at home against the Kansas City Royals, he led the way to a 4-0 victory with one hit and no runs in 7 innings. After Waka’s victory, the team fell into a four-game losing streak again.
On this day, facing Boston’s hard hitter, he laid the foundation for the team’s 7-0 victory (21-26) with six scoreless innings once again. He has established himself as a true stopper for the team that broke 5 and 4 consecutive losses.
Of course, in the match against Boston, support from the other line was on fire from the beginning. In the first inning, Boston starter Corey Kluber’s pitch faltered, and Matt Carpenter got a pushout walk. It was the Padres’ first lead in 36 innings. Moreover, the Padres had a low batting average of 0.182 with the bases loaded.
Carpenter’s two-run home run (No. 4) in the 3rd inning, and Odore in the 6th inning hit a timely hit on the left field line to solidify Kim Ha-seong, who went on base with a heavy hit. Since he was the first base runner, it seemed unreasonable to rush home, but Kim Ha-seong’s judgment and mobility made it safe with plenty of time, giving Odor an RBI. Kim Ha-seong got a batting average of 0.236 with 1 hit and 1 run in 4 at-bats, including 2 strikeouts.
The Padres have been on a losing streak recently, but the crowd is always full. Fans believe the Padres’ offense will recover. On that day, 42,825 people entered, and it was the 17th sold out of the season.