"Yesterday, we faced the possibility of a three-game losing streak and went all in."
LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop identified right-handed pitcher Kim Jin-sung as the driving force behind the comeback victory against the KIA Tigers in the Gwangju game on the 25th. He noted that preventing additional runs allowed for the turnaround. LG captured an important first game in the weekend three-game series, marking their 20th win. They are now smoothly heading toward their championship in two years.
The key moment mentioned by Manager Yeom was the 4th inning. In the bottom of the 4th, with LG leading 3-1, starting pitcher Son Joo-young faltered and allowed the turnaround. Son Joo-young faced a bases-loaded situation after giving up a walk and consecutive hits. KIA used pinch hitter Kim Do-young to chase two runs, and then with two outs and the bases loaded, Choi Hyung-woo hit a two-run double, successfully coming back to lead 5-3.
With two outs and runners on second and third, he brought in Kim Gang-ryul, who struck out Na Seong-beom to overcome the crisis. In the 5th, during a two-out, bases-loaded situation, Kim Jin-sung caught Kim Sun-bin's pop-up to left field. By not allowing additional runs, they scored two in the top of the 6th to tie the game. Kim Jin-sung held them scoreless until the end of the 6th, creating the momentum for the comeback, and in the 8th, they took the lead with a run scored due to an error by the opponent.
Before the KIA game on the 26th, Manager Yeom said, "Kim Jin-sung did well yesterday. He filled in with one inning without allowing a hit, facing five batters. In the 5th, Gang-ryul created a crisis (runners on first and second). If we gave up one more run, we couldn't use our winning setup. If Jin-sung had allowed a run, the operation would have changed. It would have to be pitchers who are not in the winning setup who would go out." He praised.
He continued, "(With a two-run difference) I decided to use the winning setup after contemplating. Analyzing the remaining innings and the opponent, I thought we could have a chance if we managed to hold them off. It was crucial to endure yesterday, so we went all in. While I made the selection and concentration as the manager, the players executed well. The middle relievers did their roles well."
Additionally, regarding Park Myung-geun, who took the mound in the 8th and handled Wisdom Choi Hyung-woo and Na Seong-beom, he explained, "His stuff is completely different from last year. Last year's data is meaningless. This year, his changeup has improved significantly. He is well-equipped to handle lefties. Even referring to Koh Young Technology (KT), it’s not that he can't handle lefties. Ultimately, what kind of ball you have is what matters."
LG set its starting lineup with Park Hae-min (center field), Kim Hyun-soo (designated hitter), Austin (first base), Moon Bo-kyung (third base), Park Dong-won (catcher), Hong Chang-ki (right field), Moon Seong-joo (left field), Koo Bon-hyeok (shortstop), and Shin Min-jae (second base). Moon Seong-joo started in place of Song Chan-eui from the previous day.
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