Closer Jang Hyun-sik of the professional baseball LG Twins struggled in back-to-back games. LG suffered its first losing streak of the season.

LG lost 5-6 in the 10th inning to the NC Dinos at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 22nd. It was a disappointing game for LG in many ways. They dramatically equalized late in the game and had a chance to win, but could not secure the victory. Closer Jang Hyun-sik became the losing pitcher after giving up timely hits in the 9th and 10th innings.

LG took an early lead in the 1st inning with Austin's two-run home run. Starting pitcher Lim Chan-kyu allowed a game-tying two-run home run to Seo Ho-cheol in the 2nd inning. LG regained the lead 3-2 with a sacrifice fly by Park Hae-min after a walk by Park Dong-won and a double by Koo Bon-hyuk created a no-out situation with runners on second and third. However, Lim Chan-kyu allowed two runs in the 4th inning, giving up three doubles and a single, and LG fell behind 3-4.

In the 8th inning, with one out, Austin produced a chance with a double to left field, and Kim Hyun-soo's timely hit tied the game at 4-4 with two outs. In the 9th inning, LG found itself trailing by one point when rookie relief pitcher Kim Young-woo took the mound. He gave up a hit to lead-off batter Kim Hyung-jun and allowed a stolen base to pinch runner Park Young-bin. Kim Young-woo struck out Cheon Jae-hwan and was replaced.

In a situation where they had to prevent any runs, closer Jang Hyun-sik was brought in. However, Jang Hyun-sik allowed a game-tying hit to Park Min-woo with one out and a runner on second base, allowing the inherited runner to score. The score became 4-5.

The resilience of first-place LG was remarkable. In the bottom of the 9th, lead-off hitter Park Dong-won capitalized on a mistake by NC closer Ryu Jin-wook, hitting a solo home run that cleared the left-center fence to tie the game. He was followed by Koo Bon-hyuk, who hit a double to left-center. LG had a chance to win with a sacrifice bunt placing runners on second and third with one out, but Lee Young-bin struck out, Hong Chang-ki reached base on a walk, and Moon Sung-joo grounded out to the pitcher, sending the game into extra innings.

Jang Hyun-sik also took the mound in the 10th inning, where he allowed a run after consecutive doubles by Kwon Hee-dong and Kim Hwi-jip with one out. He was removed after allowing a run with one out and a runner on second base. He recorded one inning, three hits allowed, and one run allowed. LG lost 5-6, and Jang Hyun-sik became the losing pitcher.

Jang Hyun-sik also allowed runs in the game against Incheon SSG on the 20th. Temporary starter Kim Joo-won was removed due to command issues after allowing a jam with one out and the bases loaded in the 1st inning, and LG trailed 0-2 by the 2nd inning. In the 3rd inning, reliever Bae Jae-jun allowed a double and a single, making the score 0-3. Jang Hyun-sik came in with two outs and a runner on second.

It was an unconventional move. After five days of rest, there was a need to manage his condition and to expect to prevent further runs during a slugfest. However, Jang Hyun-sik allowed a two-run home run to the first batter Choi Joon-woo. The score became 0-5. LG closed the gap to 3-5 when Austin hit a three-run home run in the 4th inning, making Jang Hyun-sik's two-run home run allowed in the 3rd inning all the more regrettable. Had Jang Hyun-sik not allowed the home run, the score could have been 3-3, and the momentum might have swung in LG's favor. Jang Hyun-sik struck out three batters in the 4th inning, going perfect against them, but afterward, LG's bullpen allowed additional runs, resulting in a 3-9 loss.

Jang Hyun-sik suffered an ankle injury during the spring camp, went through rehabilitation, and finally joined the first team late on the 4th. He impressed with a powerful showing in his first five games, recording 5 innings with only 1 hit allowed, 2 walks, and no runs.

However, in the game against SSG on the 20th and against NC on the 22nd, he often allowed extra-base hits, yielding runs in back-to-back games. He gave up 5 hits over two games, including 3 extra-base hits (1 home run and 2 doubles). His season record stands at 1 loss and 2 holds in 7 games, with an earned run average climbing from 0 to 2.45. Allowing runs in consecutive games should be a temporary slump.

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