'Winning man' Han Seung-hyuk (32) has seen his streak of 16 consecutive scoreless games come to an end, marking the conclusion of the Hanwha Eagles' 12-game winning streak. Although it was a streak that would eventually end, it was frustrating that a ridiculous bad call instigated it.

Hanwha lost to Doosan 4-3 after an 11-inning battle in Daejeon on the 13th. Down 1-3 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and a runner on first, Choi In-ho, who was about to be called out on a foul fly, made a dramatic comeback due to an opponent's error and hit a game-tying two-run home run, but tragically lost after giving up the decisive point in the top of the 11th.

Thus, the winning streak of Hanwha, which began on the 26th of last month and showed no signs of stopping, was halted at '12.' They achieved 12 consecutive wins for the first time in 33 years since the days of their predecessor Binggrae in 1992 but did not reach the club's all-time record of 14 consecutive wins set in the same year.

In the bottom of the 10th with two outs and a runner on second, Moon Hyun-bin struck out, failing to capitalize on the opportunity, and in the bottom of the 11th with no outs and a runner on first, the failure of pinch runner Lee Sang-hyuk to steal second ended the momentum of the pursuit; however, the most disappointing moment was in the top of the seventh.

In a 1-1 tie, Park Sang-won appeared as the first pitcher of the winning team and successfully secured two outs, inducing Kim In-tae to hit a ground ball to first base. After Hanwha's first baseman Chae Eun-seong caught the slow ground ball, he tossed the ball to Park Sang-won, who stepped on the back of first base with his right foot, receiving the throw accurately.

Next, runner Kim In-tae sprinted toward first base and stepped on the back part of Park Sang-won's right heel. In a tense situation, Park Sang-won was standing behind the base, and Kim In-tae had to step on the base, so the collision was inevitable. It was a dangerous moment where both could have seriously injured themselves. Stomped on the foot, Park Sang-won collapsed to the ground, and Kim In-tae lost his balance and fell.

After a brief pause, first base umpire Kim Gap-soo raised his arms to declare safe. However, the replay showed the moment where Kim In-tae stepped on Park Sang-won's foot after catching the ball. Since Kim In-tae stepped on Park Sang-won's foot while he was on the base, it was clearly an out. The two players collided at first base, but the umpire was not in a position or angle to see it.

If a video review had been requested, it would have been an undeniable out, but unfortunately, Hanwha had exhausted both opportunities for video review. They used them when Hwang Young-mook attempted to steal second (out→out) in the 3rd and when Esteban Florial got an infield hit (out→safe) in the 6th. A second consecutive overturned call grants an additional request, but that day, Hanwha's first request was not overturned.

Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon came out onto the field to protest to the umpires, but the situation did not change. From Hanwha's perspective, it was frustrating that the out was changed to an infield hit and that Park Sang-won was replaced. He sustained a cut on the back of his right heel due to a spike from Kim In-tae and was not in a condition to pitch normally. Limping off, Park Sang-won was set to have his injury treated and be monitored.

Due to the sudden situation, Hanwha had to send Han Seung-hyuk in earlier than scheduled, who was preparing for the top of the 8th. Having dealt with Lim Jong-sung's flyout to right field, Han Seung-hyuk, however, allowed a single to Kim Ki-yeon after two outs in the top of the 8th and then a two-run home run to Kim Jae-hwan. The 148 km/h fastball on the third pitch was hit hard, breaking the streak of 16 games and 14⅔ innings without allowing a run that began with the Doosan game on the 8th of last month. According to the unearned run standard, it had been 17 games and 15⅓ innings since the Samsung game on the 6th of last month, but the streak ended with the season's first home run allowed.

When a bullpen pitcher has resting time between innings, it can build a subtle amount of damage. If Park Sang-won had wrapped up the top of the 7th without the bad call and Han Seung-hyuk had come in as scheduled at the start of the top of the 8th, the situation could have been different. This is purely hypothetical, but since it all started with a bad call, Hanwha couldn't help but feel disappointed. Afterward, before Choi In-ho's home run in the bottom of the 9th, there was an instance where Hanwha benefited from a no-swing call on the seventh pitch, but it is natural for any team to remember unfavorable calls more.

As much as the game was lost, concerns about Park Sang-won's heel condition are growing. He has recorded 2 wins, 2 losses, and 6 holds with an earned run average of 2.66 over 22 games (20⅓ innings) and is the key bullpen player with the longest tenure at Hanwha. Recently, he has been in great form, pitching 8⅓ scoreless innings over his last 8 games. He primarily pitches in the 7th, constructing the winning bullpen alongside Park Sang-won in the 8th and Kim Seo-hyun in the 9th. If Park Sang-won's condition is not good, it raises a red flag for Hanwha's maintaining baseball.

[OSEN]