Hou Ching Ends Slump as Hawks Beat Guardians; Manager Urges Pitching Change

The TSG Hawks secured a decisive 10-3 victory over the Fubon Guardians, powered by 15 hits including two home runs. The win marked a significant return to form for the Hawks' foreign pitcher Hou Ching, who pitched five innings, allowing nine hits and three earned runs while striking out four and walking three. This victory ends a 110-day drought for Hou Ching and snaps his personal seven-game losing streak.

Following the game, Hawks' manager Hung Yi-chung offered critical advice to Hou Ching regarding his pitching mechanics. Hung pointed out that Hou Ching's predictable rhythm and pace make him an easy target for opposing batters. "His pitching rhythm, they can almost all grasp it easily," Hung stated. "During his losing streak, hitters rarely swung and missed at his pitches. His balls have little variation in speed, all around the same rhythm, so once they get used to it, it's easy for them to control."

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His pitching rhythm, they can almost all grasp it easily. During his losing streak, hitters rarely swung and missed at his pitches. His balls have little variation in speed, all around the same rhythm, so once they get used to it, it's easy for them to control.

Hung emphasized that while Hou Ching's velocity was consistent between 140-144 kph, batters were swinging hard. He stressed the importance of a starting pitcher's ability to strike out batters, especially in critical situations. "If a starting pitcher can't strike out the opponent, it's very difficult to resolve crises in critical moments," Hung said. "He must change his pitching style."

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If a starting pitcher can't strike out the opponent, it's very difficult to resolve crises in critical moments. He must change his pitching style.

The contrast in Hou Ching's performance between last season and this season is stark. Last year, he posted a 13-3 record with a 1.89 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in 25 starts. This season, his record dropped to 4-7 with a 4.84 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP in 15 starts, indicating a clear decline in performance.

Separately, Hawks' outfielder Wang Po-jung exited the game in the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch. Manager Hung explained that Wang suffered a muscle strain in his right arm, affecting his ability to throw, and was substituted as a precautionary measure, not due to a bone injury.

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Wang Po-jung's right arm muscle was hit by the ball, causing muscle tension and affecting his ability to throw, so he was taken out first. It wasn't a bone injury.