In the bottom of the fifth inning, Eric Peddie headed to the bullpen, and the NC fans lining third base erupted in cheers. But the league’s best pitcher’s second postseason start would not come, and NC’s fall baseball season was over. Pedi couldn’t raise his head in front of the fans.

The NC Dinos failed to advance to the Korean Series after losing Game 5 of the playoffs to the KT Wiz, 2 to 3, at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, South Korea. It was disappointing to see Peddie’s absence, as he only pitched one game due to injury.

This year, Pedi’s regular season stats were 30 games, 180⅓ innings, 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA. It was a performance unmatched by any other pitcher in the league. However, 먹튀검증 in the final game of the season against the KIA Tigers, Pedi was hit in the right forearm by a pitch.

The unfortunate injury prevented him from being named to the roster for the wild-card decider.

In the semi-playoffs against the SSG Landers, Pedi was also unable to take the mound. Two weeks later, Pedi returned to the mound for Game 1 of the playoffs against KT, pitching six innings of three-hit ball with one walk and one strikeout to earn the win.

NC took games one and two to take control of the series, but dropped games three and four in Changwon to KT, sending the playoff series to game five. It was Pedi’s turn to step up. However, it was Shin Min-hyuk, not Pedi, who started the fifth game.

After pitching a perfect game until the top of the fifth inning, Shin Min-hyuk gave up back-to-back hits to Jang Sung-woo and Moon Sang-chul, putting runners on first and third base. Pedi finally went to the bullpen to warm up. Manager Kang Myung-ho had announced that Pedi would pitch in the middle and late innings of the game.

At the same moment that Pedi went to the bullpen,

KT manager Lee Kang-cheol brought in Kim Min-hyuk as a pinch hitter. Kim Min-hyuk hit a two-run double into the right field corner to tie the game. Kim Young-gyu then came on and struck out Choi Jae-dae and Choi Soo-ho to prevent any further damage.

In the sixth inning, NC was again threatened. After Kim Young-gyu gave up a leadoff single to Kim Sang-soo, Ryu Jin-wook took the mound, but Hwang Jae-gyun singled and Alford walked to load the bases. In the next at-bat, Park Byung-ho singled to bring home Kim Sang-soo from third base to give KT a 3-2 lead.

Kim Young-gyu and Ryu Jin-wook, who had warmed up together, took the mound, but Pedi didn’t end up pitching. After moving around in the bullpen, Pedi gave up on pitching out of the bullpen and returned to the bench. “He tried to move around a little bit in the bullpen, but he expressed that his arm was heavy. It was a difficult situation for him to pitch,” manager Kang Shin-ho said in a postgame interview.

The game ended with KT winning in the sixth inning. The fourth-ranked NC’s miraculous fall baseball season came to an end. NC players came out onto the field to greet the fans. Pedi, who came out with them, couldn’t raise his head. He had a hard time looking into the eyes of the fans who cheered him on.

We can’t fault Pedi’s decision to sit out for fear of aggravating his injury. As a mercenary who has to sign a new contract every year, his health is of utmost importance. In addition, Pedi was probably more cautious because his chances of success in the major leagues next season are highly regarded.

Choices and regrets. Pedi’s head is down, his eyes unable to look away.