The Hanwha Eagles defeated the Lotte Giants, reclaiming second place alone after two days. However, in the ninth inning, they had a close call with Lotte's chase.

Hanwha won the game against Lotte in Daejeon on the 23rd, 4-2. Starting pitcher Ryan Weiss delivered an impressive performance, throwing eight innings with four hits allowed (one home run), no walks, 11 strikeouts, and two earned runs, while Estevan Florial and Ha Ju-suk each contributed two hits with multi-hit games.

However, the final ninth inning was nerve-wracking due to Lotte's chase. Ryan Weiss, who had thrown 93 pitches, returned to the mound in the ninth for a complete game but was replaced after allowing a soft hit that dropped in front of left fielder Jang Du-seong. Closer Kim Seo-hyeon came in with no outs and a runner on first but struggled.

He caught Yoon Dong-hee for a foul fly on first base but allowed an infield single to Víctor Reyes, followed by a wild pitch during Jeon Jun-woo's at-bat. With one out, runners on second and third, he struck out Jeon Jun-woo swinging but walked Na Seung-yeop. With two outs and the bases loaded, he allowed a timely hit to Jeon Min-jae, giving up one run.

With the go-ahead runner on base, the pressure mounted in a two-out, bases-loaded situation. Kim Seo-hyeon held his ground and finished the game by striking out substitute Go Seung-min swinging on four consecutive sliders, securing his 15th save of the season. Although Hanwha won the game, they had to sweat through Lotte's fierce chase.

Ahead of the game against Lotte on the 24th, Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon met with reporters and explained why he sent out Weiss in the ninth, saying, "Last time (against Kiwoom on the 11th), he finished calmly (in the eighth), but yesterday he said he felt good and wanted to throw just one more time. Since there was a substitution last time, we couldn't avoid sending him out."

Manager Kim Kyung-moon noted, "If it weren't for (Kim) Seo-hyeon doing well, even the closer has a tempo when they come in. One lapse could change the flow all at once. It was fortunate that we didn't go behind yesterday," and added, "I believe it was a good experience for the team."

Although the ninth inning ultimately was disappointing, Weiss's pitching is commendable. Over 11 games this season (69⅓ innings), he has a record of 7 wins and 2 losses, with an earned run average of 3.50, 80 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.02, with a batting average against of .290. While he ranks 19th in earn run average, he is 3rd in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts, and 3rd in WHIP and batting average against, indicating an overall high quality of pitching.

9회 등판이 결과적으로 아쉽게 됐지만 와이스의 투구는 칭찬할 만하다. 올 시즌 11경기(69⅓이닝) 7승2패 평균자책점 3.50 탈삼진 80개 WHIP 1.02 피안타율 2할9리. 평균자책점은 19위이지만 다승·이닝·탈삼진 3위, WHIP·피안타율 3위로 전체적인 투구 퀄리티는 특급이다.

Last June, he was expected to be a short-term substitute foreign player due to injury, but he successfully transitioned to a full-time contract and has now established himself as a second starter this year. Manager Kim said, "It seems he prepared more this year than last year. His body has improved, and having pitched here, he gained confidence," adding, "He has good physique and pitches. If he can control them, they won't be easy for batters. He tries to learn from other foreign players while making efforts to improve. Yesterday's opposing pitcher (Park Se-woong) pitched well, but after Weiss gave up one run, he kept pitching and gave us a chance to come back."

Meanwhile, on this day, Hanwha faced Lotte's left-handed starter Tucker Davidson with the lineup of Estevan Florial (center field), Ha Ju-suk (shortstop), Moon Hyun-bin (left field), Roh Si-hwan (third base), Chae Eun-seong (first base), Kim Tae-yean (right field), Choi In-ho (designated hitter), Choi Jae-hun (catcher), and Lee Do-yoon (second base). The starting pitcher was left-handed Ryu Hyun-jin. Lee Jin-young, who was substituted for Kim Tae-yean during left field defense in the ninth inning the previous day, was excluded from the starting lineup due to a cramped left inner thigh but is on standby as a substitute.

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