The Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization successfully fought back after a 39-minute rain delay. With a comeback victory over the Hanwha Eagles after an extra-inning battle, they reclaimed second place within a day.

Under the leadership of manager Kim Tae-hyoung, Lotte emerged victorious 8-6 during the away game against Hanwha at Hanwha Life Eagles Park on the 24th, thanks to Son Ho-young's two-RBI game-winning hit in the 10th inning.

After avenging the previous day's (23rd) comeback loss to Hanwha with a victory, Lotte marked a record of 30 wins, 20 losses, and 3 ties (winning percentage .600), pushing Hanwha (30 wins, 21 losses, winning percentage .588) down to third place again.

By the sixth inning, they were behind 3-6, and the atmosphere looked bleak. It did not seem easy for Lotte, no matter how strong their lineup, to overcome a three-run deficit against the strong Hanwha bullpen.

However, the rain delay at the end of the sixth inning became a turning point for Lotte. After one out, Choi Jae-hun hit a single to left field, and just as it seemed Hanwha would continue its offensive momentum, the game was stopped due to rain from 3:59 p.m. to 4:38 p.m. After the rain stopped and the field was prepared, Hanwha's offense resumed in the sixth inning. Lee Do-yoon struck out swinging, and Estevan Florial grounded out to second base, ending the inning without adding any runs.

Lotte's counterattack began shortly thereafter in the top of the seventh. Against Hanwha's ace Park Sang-won, lead-off batter Yoo Kang-nam reached base due to being hit by a pitch, and then Son Ho-young hit a double to left field, creating an opportunity with no outs and runners on second and third. Jang Du-seong then hit a two-RBI single against the changed pitcher Kim Beom-su, closing the gap to one run. During this process, Hanwha’s center fielder Florial committed a fielding error, allowing Jang Du-seong to advance to second base.

After Go Seung-min's infield single continued the momentum with no outs and runners on first and third, Víctor Reyes struck out swinging. However, luck was on Lotte’s side during Jeon Jun-woo's at-bat. Against Han Seung-hyeok, the ace for Hanwha, Jeon Jun-woo's ground ball hit the end of the bat and rolled towards the first base foul line. Although Han Seung-hyeok caught the ball and threw it to first for the groundout, Jang Du-seong scored from third to tie the game at 6-6.

Although Lotte’s starter Tucker Davidson had his roughest outing of the season, pitching 5 innings with 8 hits allowed (2 home runs), 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, and 6 earned runs, Lotte's six relief pitchers combined for 5 innings without allowing a run beginning from the sixth inning, defeating Hanwha in the battle of the bullpens.

With the bullpen holding strong, Lotte's lineup found its opportunity. In the top of the 10th inning, against Hanwha's reliever Kim Jong-soo, Na Seung-yeop hit a single to center field. Following Kim Jong-soo's balk, Jeon Min-jae drew a walk after an 8-pitch battle, setting up a chance with one out and runners on second and third. Son Ho-young then delivered a two-RBI single, leading Lotte to victory. Including the game-winning hit that sparked the comeback, Son Ho-young had an impressive debut game with five hits. Closer Kim Won-jung pitched 2 scoreless innings with 35 pitches in the 10th inning, earning his second win of the season.

After the game, Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyoung said, "Despite the rain delay, all the players remained focused and dedicated to the game. I want to thank the entire team for their efforts," adding, "Son Ho-young had a fantastic performance with five hits including the game-winning two RBIs in the 10th inning, and our bullpen did an excellent job, which allowed us to secure the win."

Moreover, manager Kim Tae-hyoung expressed his gratitude, stating, "Lastly, I would like to thank the Lotte Giants fans for filling the away stands and cheering even in the cold, rainy weather."

On the 25th, Lotte will send sidearm pitcher Han Hyun-hee as a starter against Hanwha, who will have right-hander Moon Dong-ju as their starter.

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