Despite Poor Form, Lee Dong-ming Throws 7th Straight Win, Learns How to Extend Innings

(Central News Agency reporter Su Chih-yu, Taipei 7th) Fubon Guardians starting pitcher Lee Dong-ming pitched a shaky but effective game on Sunday, delivering a quality start of 6 innings with only 1 run allowed, securing his 7th consecutive personal victory. He experienced how to extend his innings when his primary pitches were not effective, saying, "I learned something."

Lee faced the Uni-President 7-ELEVEN Lions, pitching 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 4 walks with no strikeouts. Apart from giving up 1 run in the first inning, he escaped jams in the 4th and 6th innings with double plays, helping his team to a 4-1 victory.

Guardians manager Mitsutaka Goto told the media after the game that Lee's body balance was not very good, but he kept trying to make adjustments during the game and managed to suppress the batters. Regarding the decision to pair rookie catcher Chang Yu-hao with Lee instead of the struggling Tai Pei-feng, Goto said, "We don't want pitchers to only work with one catcher. We are trying different combinations. Yu-hao also led the pitcher well."

Lee pointed out that he felt his condition was not good during pre-game warm-ups. "It was a bit of a disaster. My mechanics and pitching weren't good. I learned how to eat up the innings a starter should when you're not in good form." He considered the positive aspect of his performance was learning how to attack with secondary pitches when his main pitches were not working.

Regarding the 4 walks, Lee admitted he struggled with his control and thanked his teammates for their defensive support. He said the bases-loaded situation in the 6th inning actually triggered his adrenaline. "Facing a strong hitter like Lin Tzu-hao again, I just attacked the strike zone and challenged him." (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150607