Unfortunately, right before the 1st team registration, I hurt my finger…

The professional baseball team SSG Landers lost 3-9 to the LG Twins in a game held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 25th. They showed disappointment in their bullpen management. They didn't replace the shaking pitcher, allowing consecutive walks, and practically lost the game.

SSG's substitute starter Jeon Young-jun performed unexpectedly well, pitching scoreless through the 4th inning. Jeon faced a crisis in the 5th inning. The lead-off hitter Lee Young-bin's foul ball was mishandled by third baseman Ahn Sang-hyun, which created anxiety. Lee Young-bin reached base with a ground-rule double.

Catcher Lee Ji-young quickly threw to second base during Lee Ju-heon's attempted sacrifice bunt, tagging out Lee Young-bin, who was late returning to second. A blessing in disguise. After that, Lee Ju-heon hit a double to center field, putting the runners at first and second with one out.

SSG's bench pulled out starter Jeon Young-jun after he exceeded 80 pitches, bringing in left-handed relief pitcher Han Du-sol. He recorded two outs with a ground ball from Moon Sung-ju, but then allowed a hit to Shin Min-jae, which enabled the first score.

Han Du-sol walked Austin, and then he also allowed consecutive walks to Moon Bo-gyeong, loading the bases with two outs. Although the pitcher was struggling with his control, SSG's bench showed no signs of action. Han Du-sol permitted a two-RBI hit to Kim Hyun-soo and walked Park Hae-min, which again loaded the bases with two outs.

Still, SSG's bench left Han Du-sol in the precarious situation. Catcher Lee Ji-young requested time and went to the mound to encourage Han Du-sol. A ground ball from Gu Bon-hyeok was mishandled by the shortstop, allowing another run and expanding the score to 0-4. This effectively became a decisive moment in the game.

On that day, SSG's bullpen lacked available resources. The bullpen included Choi Min-jun, Park Si-hoo, Lee Ro-un, Kim Min, Noh Gyeong-eun, and Choi Hyun-seok.

However, Choi Min-jun pitched in back-to-back games against LG on the 23rd and 24th. He threw 13 pitches in two-thirds of an inning and 24 pitches in one and one-third innings. Park Si-hoo also pitched in back-to-back games against LG on the 23rd and 24th, throwing 23 pitches in one and one-third innings and 20 pitches in one inning. Manager Lee Sung-yong generally avoids having pitchers make three consecutive appearances.

Lee Ro-un pitched one and two-thirds innings with 36 pitches against LG on the 24th. Having thrown over 30 pitches, he also pitched one and one-third innings with 19 pitches and one-third inning with 19 pitches against Doosan on the 20th and 22nd. He pitched in three games with one day of rest in a week of six games. It was unrealistic to bring in the key pitchers Kim Min and Noh Gyeong-eun in the 5th inning. Ultimately, the only capable pitcher for relief was Choi Hyun-seok.

Han Du-sol allowed two hits, three walks, and three runs (two earned) in one and two-thirds innings before Choi Hyun-seok appeared as the third pitcher in the 7th inning. He allowed back-to-back home runs to Austin and Moon Bo-gyeong, increasing the score to 0-6.

SSG intended to change its 1st team roster that day, but a sudden injury thwarted that plan. Manager Lee Sung-yong noted in an interview with reporters before the game that he would call up pitcher Song Young-jin to the 1st team. He said, “I plan to bring (Song Young-jin) in behind after watching Young-jun pitch. If (Young-jun) throws well, he’ll keep going, but if not, I might need to move a bit quicker.”

However, after the interview with reporters, the SSG organization reported, "Player Song Young-jin experienced discomfort in his right middle finger during catch. A decision will be made on whether to conduct an examination after checking his condition. There will be no roster change today."

With Song Young-jin, who was supposed to play the bulk role behind the starter, not being registered, the bullpen operation was already tangled before the game. Substitute starter Jeon Young-jun pitched well, allowing one run on five hits, one walk, and three strikeouts over four and one-third innings (81 pitches), but he ended up as the losing pitcher.

[OSEN]