The Lotte Giants, bolstered by a surprise cheer from Chairman Shin Dong-bin, overwhelmed Doosan and returned to a winning streak.
The Lotte Giants defeated the Doosan Bears 8-2 in the fourth game of the season held on the 25th at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium as part of the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League.
Lotte recorded 15 wins, 1 draw, and 12 losses with a three-game series victory and a two-game winning streak. Chairman Shin Dong-bin of the Lotte Group made a surprise visit to the Jamsil Stadium to encourage the players, and they secured a delightful victory in front of the team owner. Meanwhile, Doosan's three-game winning streak was halted, bringing their record to 11 wins and 15 losses.
On the road, Lotte faced Doosan's starting pitcher Choi Won-jun with a lineup featuring Hwang Sung-bin (center fielder), Ko Seung-min (second baseman), Reyes (left fielder), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Jeong Hoon (designated hitter), Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder), Kim Min-sung (third baseman), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), and Jeong Bo-geun (catcher).
The home team Doosan faced Lotte's starting pitcher Tucker Davidson with a lineup of Jeong Su-bin (center fielder), Jake Cave (right fielder), Yang Eui-ji (catcher), Yang Seok-hwan (first baseman), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Kang Seung-ho (third baseman), Oh Myung-jin (second baseman), Park Ji-hoon (shortstop), and Jo Soo-haeng (left fielder).
Starting shortstop Park Jun-young felt discomfort in his back during a slide the previous day, leading to Park Ji-hoon making his debut as the starting shortstop. 'Super trade acquisition' Kim Min-seok started on the bench as he struggled with a batting average of .138 over the last 10 games against his former team.
Lotte scored the first run and the decisive point in the top of the second inning. Leadoff hitter Jeong Hoon got a single, and Yoon Dong-hee walked to create a no-outs situation with runners on first and second base. During a sacrifice bunt by Kim Min-sung, pitcher Choi Won-jun chose to throw to third base and forced out the runner Jeong Hoon at third, but Jeon Min-jae drew a walk against his former team to load the bases, then Jeong Bo-geun broke the scoreless tie with a one-run single to right field.
After Hwang Sung-bin struck out swinging for the second out with the bases loaded, Lotte extended their lead with a one-run ground ball by Ko Seung-min. The ball deflected off first baseman Yang Seok-hwan, and 2nd base runner Jeon Min-jae tried to round third and head for home but was called out after video review.
In the top of the fourth inning, after one out, Jeon Min-jae reached base due to a throwing error by second baseman Oh Myung-jin. Taking advantage of the wild throw, he arrived at second base after rounding first. While Jeong Bo-geun was retired on a fly ball to left field on the eighth pitch, Hwang Sung-bin, who came to bat with two outs, delivered a one-run single to extend the lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Doosan's chance with one out and runners on first and third was thwarted by a strikeout from Kang Seung-ho. However, Doosan made a comeback in the bottom of the sixth. After one out, Kim Ki-yeon broke the ice with a double to the right followed by Yang Seok-hwan's one-run RBI single. Following a straight walk drawn by Kim Jae-hwan, Kang Seung-ho closed the gap with a one-run single to right, making the score 2-3. At that time, 1st base runner Kim Jae-hwan also rushed home after rounding second and third but was called out in a futile attempt after missing the stop sign from third base coach Goto Ko-ji.
Lotte's batting lineup regained momentum in the top of the seventh. Leadoff hitter Reyes reached base on a throwing error by third baseman Kang Seung-ho while attempting to steal second base and advanced to third due to another throwing error on first base by pitcher Kim Ho-jun. Subsequently, Na Seung-yeop hit a two-run home run, taking the lead.
Na Seung-yeop connected on Kim Ho-jun's sixth high sinker (143 km) on a full count, resulting in a 115-meter home run. It was his sixth home run of the season, occurring just three games after hitting one against the Samsung Lions on the 20th.
In the top of the eighth, after one out, Hwang Sung-bin, who reached base on an error by shortstop Park Ji-hoon, successfully stole second base, creating another scoring opportunity. In a 1-out, 1st and 3rd situation following Ko Seung-min's single, Jang Du-seong executed a perfectly placed bunt single towards first base, and the pitcher Park Chi-guk made a ridiculous throwing error that allowed 1st base runner Ko Seung-min to cross home plate as well. Jang Du-seong then advanced to third. Na Seung-yeop followed up with a sacrifice fly, sealing the victory.
Lotte's starting pitcher Davidson threw six innings, allowing five hits, three walks, striking out five, and giving up two runs, needing 93 pitches for his third win of the season (unbeaten). Following him were Kim Sang-soo (⅓ inning, no runs), Jeong Hyun-soo (1 inning, no runs), Kim Gang-hyun (⅔ inning, no runs), and Park Si-young (1 inning, no runs).
In the batting lineup, Hwang Sung-bin, Ko Seung-min, and Na Seung-yeop all recorded multi-hit games. Na Seung-yeop displayed his prowess as a fourth hitter with three RBIs, including a home run.
In contrast, Doosan's starting pitcher Choi Won-jun allowed five hits, four walks, struck out five, and surrendered three runs (two earned) over five innings, throwing 106 pitches for his third loss of the season (winless). The infielders committed an astonishing five errors, contributing to the comprehensive defeat.
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