The Samsung Lions of the Korea Professional Baseball League staged a thrilling comeback drama, winning their fourth consecutive game.
Samsung defeated the Lotte Giants 9-3 in a home game at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 29th. This marked their fourth consecutive win since the game against the KIA Tigers in Daegu on the 24th. In contrast, Lotte fell into a three-game losing streak.
Samsung set the starting lineup with designated hitter Kim Ji-chan, center fielder Kim Sung-yoon, left fielder Gu Ja-wook, first baseman Lewin Diaz, catcher Kang Min-ho, second baseman Ryu Ji-hyuk, shortstop Lee Jae-hyun, third baseman Kim Young-woong, and right fielder Park Seung-kyu. The starting pitcher was Choi Won-tae.
Lotte set the starting lineup with center fielder Jang Du-seong, second baseman Go Seung-min, designated hitter Víctor Reyes, left fielder Jeon Jun-woo, right fielder Yoon Dong-hee, shortstop Jeon Min-jae, first baseman Na Seung-yeop, third baseman Son Ho-young, and catcher Son Seong-bin. The 'glasses ace' Park Se-woong took the mound.
Lotte scored first with a solo home run by Víctor Reyes in the first inning after two outs. In the fourth inning, with two outs and no runners on base, Son Seong-bin hit a home run to left field to extend the lead to 2-0.
Samsung turned the game around in the fifth inning. After one out, Park Seung-kyu hit a double, signaling the start of a comeback. Although Kim Ji-chan was out on a ground ball to second base, Park Seung-kyu reached third base. In a continuing two-out, three-base situation, Kim Sung-yoon hit a single to left center to score one run. Quick-footed Kim Sung-yoon stole second base to pressure the opposing team. Gu Ja-wook's hit to the right brought the game to 2-2. Soon after, Lewin Diaz walked, and with two outs and runners on first and second, Kang Min-ho hit a double to bring all runners home. The score was 4-2.
In the sixth inning, Lotte had a chance with one out and runners on second and third against Samsung's second pitcher Lim Chang-min. Lotte's bench sent Yoo Kang-nam as a pinch hitter instead of Son Seong-bin. Samsung's bench then brought in left-hander Bae Chan-seung. He induced the first batter, Yoo Kang-nam, to a foul fly to third base and struck out Jang Du-seong.
Was it said that 'crisis leads to opportunities, and opportunities lead to crises'? Samsung seized the opportunity to extend their lead with one out and runners on first and second in the sixth inning. Kim Ji-chan, Kim Sung-yoon, and Gu Ja-wook each hit consecutive clutch hits, adding three more runs. Lotte closed the gap by one point with a clutch hit from Yoon Dong-hee with two outs and a runner on third in the seventh inning. Samsung sealed the win with a clutch hit from Lee Jae-hyun in the seventh inning, followed by Kang Min-ho's RBI double in the eighth.
Samsung's starting pitcher Choi Won-tae earned his fourth win of the season, pitching five innings and allowing three hits (two home runs), five walks, seven strikeouts, and two earned runs. Kim Sung-yoon led the offense with four hits, two RBIs, and one run in five at-bats. Kang Min-ho showcased his impressive batting form with three hits and three RBIs in five at-bats. Gu Ja-wook, who had a batting average of just .220 in the last 10 games, recovered his form by collecting two hits, two RBIs, and one run in three at-bats, achieving his 43rd career 2,500th hit in the KBO League.
In contrast, Lotte's starting pitcher Park Se-woong became the losing pitcher, allowing six hits, four walks, and six earned runs (five earned) over five and a third innings.
Meanwhile, a bench-clearing incident occurred in the top of the fifth inning. The situation unfolded as follows: Samsung's starting pitcher Choi Won-tae hit Lotte's Jeon Jun-woo in the left side. As Jeon Jun-woo appeared to rush toward the mound, catcher Kang Min-ho intervened to calm the situation. Captain Gu Ja-wook also tried to soothe Choi Won-tae to restore the atmosphere.
Choi Won-tae, showing no intent to hit, said something to Jeon Jun-woo as he walked to first base, but Jeon Jun-woo, angry, charged the mound. Players from both teams rushed onto the field, creating an explosive situation. Fortunately, it ended without any collisions.
Choi Won-tae also approached Jeon Jun-woo again, bowed, and apologized, to which Jeon Jun-woo responded with a smile, accepting the apology.
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