"I wanted to win against Kia."

Samsung Lions right-hander Choi Won-tae (28) proved his $70 million free agent value. He started in a game against the Kia Tigers at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 2nd, pitching 6 innings with 4 hits, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs, achieving a quality start. Although he did not earn the win, it was a stellar performance that set the stage for the team's 4-2 comeback.

He had powerful pitches. In the 1st inning, after striking out Choi Won-jun, he struck out Wisdom with a fastball at 150 km/h but allowed a double to Na Sung-bum and a walk to Choi Hyung-woo. He struck out Lee Woo-sung without allowing a ball in play. Although he made a clean inning in the 2nd, he gave up a two-run home run to Wisdom in the 3rd inning with one out and runners on first and second after throwing a curveball on the first pitch.

In the 4th inning, he faced off against KIA's Kim Gyu-seong with two outs and runners on first and second, ultimately striking him out after 11 pitches. In the 5th, he recorded a clean inning. Although he thought he would be replaced after throwing 99 pitches, he returned to the mound in the 6th. He allowed 1 walk but recorded 3 outs and achieved his first quality start. The team succeeded in taking the lead in the 8th inning thanks to a two-RBI double by Park Byung-ho. He received support from outfielders Kim Ji-chan, Kim Heon-gon, and Koo Ja-wook, who helped catch well-hit balls.

He primarily used his powerful four-seam fastball (59 pitches), along with 28 sliders, and 12 curveballs and change-ups each. His fastball had great velocity, and the angles of his breaking balls were sharp as they curved and dropped in front of the batters. He managed to contain KIA's lineup, which was missing Kim Do-young, Park Chan-ho, and Kim Sun-bin due to injuries, laying the groundwork for the team's victory. He was particularly instrumental in taking the first win against KIA, who struggled last year with a record of 4 wins and 12 losses. He demonstrated his value of $70 million.

After the game, Choi Won-tae explained the key to his performance, saying, "I had trouble getting strikes in the bullpen. I thought I was in big trouble, but I communicated well with Byeong-heon, and we managed to hold it down. When I went up, I felt good and the curveball worked well. I liked that I used a variety of pitches. I gave up a home run, but I threw a lot of curveballs, and my breaking balls were fine."

He expressed slight regret about giving up the home run to Wisdom, saying, "I came inside, and after I threw a curveball, it was my choice that led to a bad result. The curve wasn't the issue; the batter just hit it well. He seems to be a really good hitter. I can't help that it happened, but I should have followed Byeong-heon’s advice." He smiled.

He climbed the mound with a strong determination to win, especially conscious of the KIA game. He noted, "Of course, I was aware that last year, Samsung struggled against KIA. I wanted to win. Byeong-ho hit a timely double, the outfield defense was excellent, and the bullpen held it down well. Thanks to outfielders like Ji-chan, Heon-gon, and Ja-wook, I was able to go 6 innings."

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