Key relievers ready to empty tanks for Wiz in KBO postseason

Soon after the longest outing of his three-year Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) career Wednesday, KT Wiz closer Park Yeong-hyun felt just fine. The right-hander had tossed a career-high 3 1/3 innings to help the Wiz beat the LG Twins 6-5 in 11 innings in Game 4 of the first round, forcing the deciding game of the best-of-five series for Friday. And he had felt like he could keep going for more. KT Wiz pitcher Park Yeong-hyun celebrates after retiring the side in the top of the 11th inning against the LG Twins during Game 4 of the first round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 9, 2024. (Yonhap) KT Wiz pitcher Park Yeong-hyun celebrates after retiring the side in the top of the 11th inning against the LG Twins during Game 4 of the first round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 9, 2024. (Yonhap) But by Thursday morning, Park felt sore all over his body. He did all he could to get pr oper rest and eat well on his off day, so that he could be ready to take the mound again Friday, with the Wiz's season on the line. "I tried to do as much napping as I could yesterday, and I am feeling great today," Park told Yonhap News Agency at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. "I had no trouble during my pregame workout today, so I told the coaching staff I will be ready to go again today." Park was overpowering Wednesday, striking out three batters with his signature fastball and inducing weak contact after weak contact. Despite the high inning total, Park retired 10 batters on 35 pitches. Park, who turned 21 on Friday, said he hadn't thrown that many innings since high school, but he is trying not to get caught up in numbers. KT Wiz pitcher Park Yeong-hyun speaks with reporters at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 11, 2024, before Game 5 of the first round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 11, 2024. (Yonhap) KT Wiz pitcher Park Yeong-hyun speaks with reporters at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 11, 2024, before Game 5 of the first round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 11, 2024. (Yonhap) "If I keep thinking to myself that I am tired, then I will just end up feeling worse," Park said. "I just want to win this series and move on to the next one." Fellow pitcher Ko Young-pyo has eaten up 7 1/3 innings in two games so far this series, including 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball to keep the Wiz in the game in middle innings. Ko, 33, said the battle is more mental than physical at this point in the season. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired, but I am trying to stay sharp mentally," Ko said with a grin. "I got enough rest yesterday and did some stretching work to get ready for today." The Twins have had trouble squaring up Ko's changeups all series long. Ko didn't know exactly when he'd be brought in Friday, but he will stay on his toes from the first pitch. KT Wiz pitcher Ko Young-pyo pitches against the LG Twins during Game 4 of the first round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 9, 2024. (Yonhap) KT Wiz pitcher Ko Young-pyo pitches against the LG Twins during Game 4 of the first round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 9, 2024. (Yonhap) "My mindset is that I may be asked to go in at any moment," Ko said. "Whether I am the second, third or fourth pitcher of the game, it will come at an important juncture." The Wiz have been playing high-pressure baseball since late last month, as they were trying to get into the postseason. Ko said winning helps relieve the stress that accompanies high-stakes contests this time of year. "I am just thankful that we've been given this opportunity to play these games," Ko said. "Of course, there's a lot of pressure in these games and losing can really wear you down. But I try to se e it as a good opportunity." Source: Yonhap News Agency