"Now the calculations are coming through."
KIA Tigers recorded 4 wins and 2 losses last week. At home in Gwangju, they achieved 2 wins and 1 loss against KT Wiz, and 2 wins and 1 loss against Doosan Bears in the Jamsil away series. They have secured back-to-back winning series. The team's record stands at 11 wins and 12 losses, approaching a .500 winning percentage. As the team’s performance improves, the atmosphere is also revitalizing.
Furthermore, all three recent victories were comeback games. Instead of collapsing helplessly, they showed fighting spirit to turn the games around. In the game against KT on the 17th, they fell behind 0-3 but successfully tied the game. They lost the lead again, but in the bottom of the 9th against closer Park Young-hyun, they seized a bases-loaded opportunity with one out and turned the losing series into a winning series with a walk-off double by Na Sung-bum.
In the game against Doosan on the 18th, they managed only 3 hits and 1 run, resulting in a loss, but in the game on the 19th, they achieved a comeback victory with an 8-4 score. After trailing 1-2, they scored 3 runs in the top of the 4th to take the lead, but allowed the game to tie again. In the mid to late innings, they held their own in bullpen matchups, scoring 2 runs in the 6th and 2 runs in the 9th to secure the win. In the game on the 20th, they also trailed 0-2, but scored 3 runs in the 7th and 3 runs in the 9th for a comeback victory.
The tenacious performance of the batters stood out. Additionally, the revival of right-handed pitcher Jeon Sang-hyun improved the strength of the bullpen. Left-handed pitcher Choi Ji-min and right-handed pitchers Jo Sang-woo and closer Jeong Hae-young have shown stability. Choi Ji-min is praised for regaining his form in the 2023 season. Although Kwak Do-kyu had his season cut short due to elbow surgery, Choi Ji-min is solidly filling in. His earned run average of 1.64 speaks volumes.
Jo Sang-woo has been delivering formidable pitching with 2 wins, 1 loss, and 6 holds in 13 games, along with an earned run average of 1.69. He has established himself as the man for the 7th or 8th inning. Despite not yet reaching his full speed, his experienced pitching is impressive. Once he attains 100% effectiveness, he is expected to be an even more powerful asset in the bullpen.
Closer Jeong Hae-young has recorded 1 win, 2 losses, and 6 saves while returning to an earned run average in the 2s (2.61). He is described as having the best form since turning pro. He throws the ball over 150 km/h with ease. KT manager Lee Kang-cheol noted, "I thought it was worthwhile to try in the 9th, but Hae-young's pitches were exceptional. I thought it would be tough to score." Manager Lee Beom-ho praised, "Hae-young has improved from last year," giving a thumbs up.
Jeon Sang-hyun, who struggled to regain his form at the beginning of the season, has emerged as a variable, but he has definitely come back since last week. He recorded five consecutive scoreless games and returned as part of the winning combination. KIA recorded four wins last week, achieving a bullpen earned run average of 2 (2.42). The bullpen claimed 3 wins and 6 holds. The resilience that had previously led to four comeback losses in the early season has strengthened. Manager Lee expressed joy, saying, "With Jeon Sang-hyun recovering, the bullpen calculations are coming through. As long as Jeon Sang-hyun performs well, we can manage with Jo Sang-woo and Choi Ji-min in front of Hae-young."
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