KIA Tigers manager Lee Beom-ho expressed deep regret over Kim Do-hyun's failure to secure his first win of the season as the starting pitcher against Samsung in Daegu on the 23rd.

Kim Do-hyun made his fifth attempt at his first win of the season against Samsung on the 23rd. Before this game, he had taken the mound four times without a win, suffering one loss. His earned run average was 1.93. Despite pitching well, he was not backed by good fortune.

Lee Beom-ho said, “Kim Do-hyun has not received adequate run support every time he pitches. Once he secures his first win, things will come easier. I hope the batters rally together so that Kim Do-hyun can get his first win.”

However, Kim Do-hyun suffered his second loss of the season with a line of 5⅔ innings, 10 hits allowed (including 1 home run), 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, and 6 earned runs.

Ahead of the game on the 24th, manager Lee Beom-ho met with reporters and said, “It’s a shame that we caught two strikes but still got hit. We allowed 6 runs yesterday, but we could have limited it to 3 or 4 runs. I think we were a bit hasty yesterday.”

Unfortunately, while they bore the yoke of defeat, there were also positive elements. Lee Beom-ho noted, “When Kim Do-hyun faces a difficult situation like yesterday, he will have things to learn and feel from the game.”

KIA was disappointed to miss the opportunity with runners on second and third with one out in the 6th inning, trailing 2-6. Lee Beom-ho said, “It would have been best if Lee Woo-sung, who got out on a foul fly from the catcher, could have connected.” He added, “The opposing pitcher Bae Chan-seung was throwing well.”

KIA, starting right-handed pitcher Hwang Dong-ha, set its lineup with shortstop Park Chan-ho, second baseman Kim Sun-bin, first baseman Wisdom, designated hitter Choi Hyung-woo, right fielder Lee Woo-sung, left fielder Oh Sun-woo, third baseman Byun Woo-hyeok, catcher Kim Tae-gun, and center fielder Choi Won-jun.

Na Sung-bum will start on the bench for player protection due to discomfort in his right calf. Manager Lee Beom-ho stated, “Na Sung-bum says he is fine, but I’ll omit him from the starting lineup and consider using him if the chance arises.”

Starting pitcher Hwang Dong-ha will take the mound for the first time in 210 days since the game against Hanwha on Sept. 27 last year. Manager Lee Beom-ho expressed hope for Hwang Dong-ha’s performance, saying, “He is expected to throw around 70 pitches today. If he can perform as he envisions for 4 to 5 innings, it will be beneficial for the team.”

[OSEN]