Eagles manager keeps faith in reliever despite struggles

Hanwha Eagles reliever Kim Seo-hyeon hangs his head after giving up a three-run home run to Kim Young-woong of the Samsung Lions during Game 4 of the second-round series in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, Wednesday. Yonhap

If it seems like Hanwha Eagles closer Kim Seo-hyeon gives up a home run every time he takes the mound, it's because he indeed has -- for his last three appearances, anyway.

Still, his manager Kim Kyung-moon remains unwavering in his trust of the 21-year-old All-Star, singling him out as the key player if the Eagles were to win their first Korea Baseball Organization championship since 1999.

Kim Seo-hyeon's latest meltdown came during the bottom sixth of Game 4 of the best-of-five postseason series against the Samsung Lions in the southeastern city of Daegu on Wednesday. The Eagles were up 4-1, trying to hold on for a win that would send them to their first Korean Series since 2006. But the Lions, after scoring a run earlier in that inning, were threatening, with two aboard for their slugger Kim Young-woong.

Kim Seo-hyeon blew two fastballs by Kim Young-woong, who fanned on both. When the pitcher threw another fastball, the hitter did not miss it, launching it into the seats in right for a game-tying three-run home run.

As pitching coach Yang Sang-moon trudged toward the mound for a pitching change, Kim Seo-hyeon looked skyward in disbelief. The Eagles went on to lose the game 7-4 to set up a winner-takes-all Game 5 for Friday.

Given Kim's recent problems, it is easy to forget he finished second in the regular season with 33 saves and had a 3.14 ERA — 1.55 ERA over his first 42 outings. He allowed only four home runs in 66 innings.

But two of those home runs came in the same game on Oct. 1, when the Eagles still had a chance to catch the LG Twins for first place in the regular season and a direct ticket to the Korean Series. But Kim served up a pair of two-run home runs in the ninth inning against the SSG Landers that day, as a 5-2 Eagles lead turned into a 6-5 loss.

In Game 1 of this series on Saturday, Kim took the mound in the top ninth, tasked with protecting a 9-6 lead. He promptly gave up a solo home run and then an RBI single that suddenly made it a one-run game, before another reliever, Kim Beom-su, put out the fire.

Kim Seo-hyeon was held out of a save situation in Game 3 on Tuesday. The Eagles were clinging to a 5-4 lead entering the ninth inning, and they let starter-turned-reliever Moon Dong-ju, who'd come on in the sixth inning, finish the job.

Manager Kim noted Tuesday how Kim Seo-hyeon might be upset and disappointed that he didn't get the chance to close out that game and said the young pitcher would soon have his moment.

The Eagles were hoping the sixth inning on Wednesday would be just that moment, but they only saw yet another soul-crushing home run.

In his last three appearances, Kim Seo-hyeon has surrendered nine runs on seven hits, including four home runs, in only 1 2/3 innings.

Moon, who was a starter in the regular season, has been the biggest weapon out of the Eagles' bullpen this fall. He has punched out 10 in six shutout innings and has allowed just three hits and one walk. But after pitching Tuesday, Moon was not available Wednesday and his status for Friday's win-or-go-home Game 5 is unclear.

Manager Kim insisted in the aftermath of Wednesday's loss that Kim Seo-hyeon is still the team's closer.

"We may win a couple of games without Kim Seo-hyeon, but in order for us to win the championship, he has to get back on his feet," the manager said. "He may be a bit discouraged because he's been getting knocked around often lately. But his stuff was pretty good. He will be our closer in Game 5."