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LG, KS start Game 2 of 3 early, give bullpen a break with Kim Yun-sik in Game 4

LG starter Kim Yun-sik tosses five scoreless innings

Game 4 of the 2023 KBO Korean Series between the LG Twins and the KT Wiz at Katie Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, on April 11. LG starting pitcher Kim Yoon-sik heads to the dugout after getting KT's Oh Yoon-seok to ground out to first base in the bottom of the fifth inning. 2023.11.11 nowwego@yna.co.kr

LG Twins left-handed pitcher Kim Yun-sik, 23, of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), made a dazzling comeback that exceeded expectations in Game 4 of the 2023 KBO Korean Series (KS).

Kim Yun-sik started Game 4 of the KS against the KT Wiz at Katie Wiz Park in Suwon on Nov. 11 and completed the task with 5⅔ innings, 85 pitches, three hits, one walk, three strikeouts and one run.

Kim Yun-sik has been LG's "sore finger" this season.

After a strong second half last year, Kim was touted as a future "left-handed ace," and he started Game 3 of the playoffs against the Kiwoom Heroes and pitched 5⅔ innings of one-run ball.

However, he struggled in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which preceded this season.

His regular season also had its ups and downs, finishing the year with a 6-4 record and a 4.22 ERA in 17 games.

LG chose Kim Yoon-sik as the starting pitcher for Game 4 against KS, but secretly prepared for the game to be a "bullpen day".

This was in case Kim Yun-sik was unable to last the long innings.

Kim Yun-sik to start Game 4 of the Korean Series for LG

Game 4 of the 2023 KBO Korean Series between the LG Twins and the KT Wiz at Katie Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, on April 11. LG starting pitcher Kim Yun-sik pitches in the third inning.

Kim put those concerns to rest on the mound, mowing down KT batters.

He topped out at 144 mph on his fastball, but his changeup, curveball, and slider were in full control.

KT's batters often swung at pitches that were clearly visible, only to have their timing fall short.

Kim Yun-sik retired nine batters in three innings before giving up a walk to the leadoff batter in the fourth.

The KT bats, which had pounded out 15 hits in Game 3 the day before, disappeared like a mirage in front of Kim's pitching.

In the fourth inning, Kim Yun-sik allowed a walk and a stolen base to put two runners on base, but he got Kim Sang-soo to ground into an infield single, Hwang Jae-gyun to fly out, and Park Byung-ho to strike out to end the inning.

In the fifth inning, Kim gave up his first hit of the game to Moon Sang-chul one out later.

Once again, Kim Yun-sik retired Jung Jun-young and Oh Yoon-seok on consecutive infield grounders.