Kiwoom Heroes' Lee Joo-hyung (24) has returned to the first team.

Kiwoom's manager Hong Won-ki noted in an interview before the game against Hanwha Eagles, held on the 9th at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome, "Wednesday's game felt like one I hardly ever saw while playing baseball myself. It was indeed a game that made me think that you can never know baseball until the end."

On the 7th, Kiwoom turned around a 7-run deficit in the 8th inning against KIA to secure an 11-10 comeback victory. With this dramatic win, Kiwoom broke a four-game losing streak and is set to begin a three-game home series against league leader Hanwha. Hanwha has recently achieved a nine-game winning streak, reaching peak form. They are seeking to challenge for a 10-game winning streak for the first time in 26 years since 1999.

Manager Hong Won-ki said, "We have no time to worry about the opposing team. It is important to stick to our game plan. The other nine teams feel the same way, but if we adhere to our game plan, we can play well. The opposing team is in good form, but we also believe that Wednesday's game is a turning point. Our priority is to focus on today's game."

Kiwoom has set the starting lineup as Song Sung-mun (third base), Choi Joo-hwan (first base), Lee Joo-hyung (center field), Ruben Cardenas (right field), Lim Byung-wook (left field), Kim Tae-jin (second base), Yasiel Puig (designated hitter), Kim Jae-hyun (catcher), and Oh Jun-seo (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Ha Young-min. Lee Joo-hyung and Son Hyun-ki have been called up, while Kim Woong-bin and Park Su-jong have been sent down to the second team.

Lee Joo-hyung has recorded a batting average of .237 (22 hits in 93 at-bats) with 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, and 11 runs scored across 26 games this season, which is underwhelming, and he was removed from the first team entry on the 27th of last month. In the Futures League, he has showcased a hot batting sense with a .625 batting average (5 hits in 8 at-bats), 4 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and 1 stolen base, recording an OPS of 1.375 in 3 games.

Manager Hong Won-ki expressed hope for Lee Joo-hyung's performance, saying, "Lee Joo-hyung says that the balance and timing he thinks he has are still not where they should be. However, he has improved a lot. Given the current situation of our batting lineup, Lee Joo-hyung needs to help. I hope he can significantly contribute to our offense."

Kiwoom configured a lineup that heavily utilizes left-handed hitters and placed right-handed hitter Puig in the 7th slot, attentive to Hanwha's sidearm starting pitcher Eom Sang-baek. Manager Hong Won-ki explained, "I thought it might be better for Puig to hit comfortably in the lower batting order rather than the top, so I moved him down. Lee Joo-hyung was placed at the front because he is a left-handed batter who should perform well in our core lineup."

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