Doosan manager Lee Seung-yeop suddenly replaced the fighting starting pitcher with one out left to meet the victory requirements.
Doosan Bears left-handed starter Choi Seung-yong took the mound on the 13th at the Seoul Jamsil Stadium in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League's third game of the season against the LG Twins, pitching 4⅔ innings with 5 hits allowed, 6 walks, 6 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs, ending with no decision.
Choi Seung-yong was well ahead 7-1, receiving help from a long-awaited offense, as he entered the bottom of the 5th inning. The start was brisk. He dealt with leadoff batter Moon Seong-joo, handling a flyout to left field, and although he walked Shin Min-jae on a straight ball, the base runner Shin Min-jae was erased after failing to steal second base. He was in a situation where he needed just one more out to meet the season's second victory requirement.
However, Choi Seung-yong became rattled. He struggled to find his aim, walking Moon Bo-kyung on the 5th pitch, Kim Hyun-soo on the 6th pitch, and Lee Joo-heon on the 6th pitch, leading to a bases-loaded crisis. Even a visit from the pitching coach couldn't help as he walked Lee Joo-heon, reaching exactly 100 pitches.
The next batter was LG's number 7 hitter Moon Jeong-bin, a backup player who was substituted for Park Dong-won as the game tilted heavily. However, the manager remained calm. With a 6-run lead and just one out needed, the starting pitcher could have met the victory requirements, but Lee Seung-yeop was resolute. He made the decision to take Choi Seung-yong off the mound and bring in Park Chi-guk. This was interpreted as a determination to end the four-game losing streak at all costs.
Park Chi-guk allowed Moon Jeong-bin a hit-by-pitch walk, resulting in an additional run. However, contrary to concerns, he quickly regained his composure and struck out the next batter, Song Chan-il, to extinguish the immediate threat.
On this day, despite suffering a right knee injury from a sharp hit off Hong Chang-gi’s batted ball in the bottom of the 3rd, Choi Seung-yong showed his fighting spirit by taking the mound in the 5th inning. He was struck hard enough to sit on the ground in pain, but he displayed a sense of responsibility by getting back up and continuing to pitch. However, his stamina was lacking. Just as he was on the verge of completing his task, his control quickly wavered, and he regrettably failed to meet the victory requirements.
Doosan eventually achieved a 9-2 complete victory, overcoming four interruptions due to hail (first inning, first half, second half, sixth inning). By using their rival LG as a stepping stone, they escaped a four-game losing streak, recording a season record of 8 wins and 11 losses. After 17 consecutive losses on Sunday, they have now won 2 in a row.
Manager Lee Seung-yeop, who showcased tough baseball, noted after the game, "The players' concentration to break the losing streak was impressive, even amidst nasty weather. From the first inning, their persistent appearance at the plate brought the game atmosphere to our side," and added, "The home run by Kaib in the 4th inning was decisive. I was able to see them getting better as the game went on, and today they displayed sharp swings. Congratulations on the first home run on the Korean stage."
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