Doosan Bears manager Lee Seung-yup warmly embraced the players' disappointing performance rather than being harsh.
On the 26th, Lee reflected on the previous day's game before the match against Lotte at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium. The day before, Doosan lost their momentum due to a critical baserunning error in a scoring opportunity and committed five errors, leading to their own defeat.
The Doosan defense allowed an additional run in the top of the 4th inning after committing an error while trailing 0-2. In the top of the 7th, while trailing 2-3, two errors occurred, resulting in two additional runs, marking a decisive turning point. In the 8th inning, two more errors led to an additional three runs, deciding the game's outcome.
Additionally, the offense spoiled the mood with a baserunning mistake. In the bottom of the 6th inning, with one out and runners on first and second, Kang Seung-ho's timely hit to right field brought the score to 2-3. However, the runner at first, Kim Jae-hwan, was tagged out while trying to score after rounding third base. It was a difficult scene to understand.
Manager Lee noted about Kim Jae-hwan's baserunning error the previous day, saying, "It was a miscommunication with the third base coach. Such situations should not happen, but it can't be helped. What's done is done." He added that "after the game, I spoke with the coaching staff. We must ensure that such plays, which can disrupt the flow, do not happen again." This emphasizes that the coaching staff needs to work harder to prevent such mistakes before the players make them.
Lee added, "How much did he want to come home? Yesterday, the game did not go well, and (Jae-hwan) probably wanted to even the score."
Five errors occurred the previous day. Errors can happen in defense, but they all came at once. Lee stated, "There are no excuses left. We cannot make excuses; it was a game with significant loss of focus. For a professional team, having five errors in front of many fans is simply unacceptable."
He continued, "While the players are doing their best, I think the lack of preparation from the staff, including myself, might be the issue. The players are doing their utmost and will continue to do so, so I believe they should be supported. All criticism should come to me."
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