The Hanwha Eagles, who achieved a 10-game winning streak for the first time in 26 years, are gradually becoming the public enemy. After the rainout, manager Lee Kang-cheol expressed envy, saying, "Hanwha really plays baseball well."
KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol met with reporters ahead of the second game of the doubleheader against the Lotte Giants on the 10th at Suwon KT Wiz Park, where he mentioned the previous day's match between the Gocheok Hanwha Eagles and Kiwoom Heroes.
The sole leader Hanwha triumphed over Kiwoom with a score of 7-5 in an away game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 9th, marking their 10th consecutive victory for the first time in 26 years since 1999. After trailing 2-4, they equalized at 4-4 in the top of the 7th and completed a thrilling comeback victory with Moon Hyun-bin's go-ahead solo home run and consecutive timely hits from Chae Eun-sung (triple) and Lee Sang-hyuk (double) after two outs in the top of the 9th.
After the game against Lotte on the 9th in Suwon was rained out, manager Lee Kang-cheol watched the Gocheok game on TV after work. The inning that left a strong impression on him was the last, top of the 9th. He expressed surprise, saying, "I thought we were heading to extra innings when there were two outs in the top of the 9th, but at that moment, (Moon Hyun-bin's) hit bounced and went over the fence."
He then noted, "This is why baseball must win. When you win, many spectators come, and you rise in the rankings. Hanwha is really playing baseball well right now."
Meanwhile, with the first game of the doubleheader rained out, KT faced Lotte in the second game's starting lineup against pitcher Na Gyun-an, which includes Kim Min-hyeok (center fielder), Hwang Jae-kyun (third baseman), Mel Rojas Jr. (left fielder), Ahn Hyun-min (right fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Jang Seong-woo (catcher), Kwon Dong-jin (shortstop), Moon Sang-cheol (first baseman), and Cheon Seong-ho (second baseman). The starting pitcher is Koh Young Technology.
The first-team roster removed catcher Kang Hyun-woo and registered pitcher Moon Yong-ik. Infielder Park Min-seok and pitcher Lee Sang-dong joined the first team through the special roster for the doubleheader.
KT, in a three-game losing streak, has a season record of 18 wins, 2 ties, and 18 losses, ranking 5th, while Lotte, enjoying a two-game winning streak, is in 3rd place with a season record of 22 wins, 1 tie, and 16 losses. The gap between the two teams is three games.
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