Karachi Pitching Shines

[Karachi_GM]

Karachi June Review

by Hasan Khan, Sports Editor (Karachi Dawn)
June 14, 2106

The big story of the year to date for the Karachi Falcons has been the superlative performance of three pitchers:

Shuncho Kan has been a steady but far from spectacular pitcher for the Falcons since 2100.  In all six of his previous seasons he has won between 10 and 12 games, always with an ERA between 3.50 and 3.99.  Not too shabby.  But this years his mound performances have been lights out.  After 11 starts his record stands at 9 wins, 1 loss, and his ERA is down to 2.84, all at a time when the general trend around the league has been a major uptick in hitting.

Kipchoge Kemboi was projected to become a good to very good relief pitcher who lacked the stamina to start regularly.  In his rookie season in 2004 he started only 4 times in 34 appearances, and the relief role appeared to be his niche.  But last season he moved into the rotation and posted a very respectable 13-10 mark with an ERA just under 4.00.  Karachi management put a 95 pitch count limit on him, and that seemed to make him a more than acceptable starter.  The pitch count limit remains in place for 2106.  Kipchoge has started 13 times and often ends up with no decision in close games because he has retired to the clubhouse after reaching his pitch count while the game is still in contention.  Still, his 7-1 record, his league-leading ERA of 1.60, and a WHIP under 1.00 indicate how valuable a starter he has become.  He has been named Player-of-the-Game six times in his 13 starts.

Myeong-hwan Lee has been the Karachi closer since 2001.  This year he has 17 saves in as many attempts while posting a 2-0 record and an ERA of 0.68 and a WHIP of 0.65.

In other pitching news prospect El-Fatih Mwendapole was far from terrible after eight starts, but his inconsistency and his control issues led management to send him down to Faisalabad (AAA) for more development.  He could back by year end.  Meanwhile, 23-year-old Mwai Mdogo was recalled and made his major league debut in the starting rotation.  His first four starts have been encouraging.

In mid-June Karachi has a 33-27 record, just one game behind Brisbane in the ITL Asian Division.  There is a long way to go, but hopes are high that a playoff appearance is in the future.