Wes Benjamin (30), a foreign pitcher of KT Wiz, who has recently shown a shaky appearance, climbs the mound carrying a heavy load.
Benjamin will start the match against SSG Landers in the 2023 Shinhan Bank Sol KBO League held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 2nd.
Benjamin hasn’t shown his ace look lately.
Benjamin, who celebrated his second year in the KBO League this year, threw a powerful ball in spring camp and showed off his good condition in this year’s demonstration game. He pitched 11 innings in three appearances in exhibition games, giving up only 3 runs (2 earned runs), and striking out 10.
After the opening, expectations were raised by showing good pitching in two games.
Benjamin, who started the opening game against the LG Twins on the 1st of last month, continued his perfect streak until the 5th inning, giving up 2 hits, 4 strikeouts and 1 run in 6 innings, reporting his first victory of the season.
On the 8th of the same month, Benjamin recorded a quality start (less than 3 earned runs in 6 innings) with 6 hits (1 home run), 6 strikeouts, 1 walk and 3 runs in 6 innings against the Lotte Giants, leading the team to a 7-3 victory.
But in the next 3 games, it was sluggish.
Benjamin, who was shaken by 4 innings, 6 hits, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks and 3 runs against the Hanwha Eagles on the 14th of last month, was hit with 8 hits and 6 runs including 2 homers in 6 innings against SSG on the 20th.
In the game against Kiwoom Heroes on the 26th, it collapsed with 7 hits and 5 runs, including allowing 2 home runs in 5⅓ innings.
A slump in the last three games has lifted Benjamin’s season ERA to 5.60.
Benjamin, who threw the ball at the maximum speed of 151km/h in this year’s opening game, played a difficult game as his speed dropped significantly from the match against Hanwha on the 14th. In the match against Kiwoom on the 26th, Benjamin’s highest restraint was only 147 km per hour.
Aiming for a rebound, Benjamin’s shoulders are heavy. KT desperately needs to break out of losing streak.
The beginning of the losing streak was the game in which Benjamin started. KT fell into a 9-game losing streak from SSG on the 20th of last month. In the last 10 games, including a draw against the Doosan Bears on the 23rd, 1 draw and 9 losses.
It is about 6 years, 9 months, and 2451 days since KT lost 9 consecutive losses from Masan NC on August 4, 2016 to Masan NC on the 13th of the same month.
KT is groaning over injuries.
Even before the start of the season, sovereignty and Kim Min-soo, the core of the bullpen, fell side by side. An outfielder who suffered a fractured back of his left hand in an exhibition game has not yet returned. On top of that, native ace Joon Sohn also left the game with a forearm sprain after starting against LG on the 2nd of last month.
In the last 10 games, the batting average of the team stopped at 0.216, and the batting line is in a serious slump. Center hitter Park Byeong-ho was found to need three weeks of treatment due to a left hamstring injury.
When the team is on a losing streak, it is the ace’s job to break it.
Benjamin’s good fight is absolutely necessary for KT. If Benjamin, the ace, continues to falter, it is difficult for KT to expect a rebound. 메이저사이트
As the start of the losing streak was against SSG, it is an opportunity for Benjamin to take revenge.
Seung-Won Moon is the starting point for SSG. Moon Seung-won, who returned in the middle of last year after undergoing elbow ligament surgery (Tommy John surgery) in 2021, re-entered the starting rotation this year and is recording an average ERA of 4.08 with 1 win and 1 loss in 3 games.