The professional baseball LG Twins have held onto their first-place spot after great difficulty, thanks to a draw that felt like a win.

Youm Kyoung-youb, the LG manager, had a premonition that came true. Left fielder Song Chan-ui, who was substituted in during a crisis, made a picture-perfect home assist that led to a draw that felt like a victory.

The game between LG and Hanwha took place on 14th at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park. This matchup featured the first and second-placed teams, with a difference of half a game.

Until the 4th inning, it was a tight pitchers' duel. The scoreboard showed a streak of zeros. LG scored the first run in the 5th inning against Hanwha's foreign player Fonse, who is regarded as the league's top ace. Lead-off batter Choi Won-young reached base after being hit by a pitch, and advanced to third on a wild pitch with one out and a runner on second base. Shin Min-jae's sacrifice fly to center field brought in one run.

Starter Im Chan-kyu pitched six scoreless innings (89 pitches). The bullpen was mobilized in the 7th inning. Before the game, LG manager Youm Kyoung-youb noted, "Isn't it going to be a battle of the starters? Im Chan-kyu has performed better against Hanwha than other teams, while Fonse is the best pitcher in the league. If the starters can hold out similarly, it will be a close battle in the later innings. I will push as far as three runs ahead."

Jang Hyun-sik appeared in the bottom of the 7th inning but allowed a hit to lead-off batter Chae Eun-seong, and then permitted a one-RBI double to Ahn Chi-hong with one out and runners on second and third base. After allowing a hit to Choi Jae-hun, Jang Hyun-sik let a surprise bunt hit by Hwang Young-mook slip by for the 1-2 lead. Jang Hyun-sik attempted a glove toss to home but made an error, leaving runners on first and third again. Kim Jin-sung came in as a relief pitcher and prevented any more runs by inducing a groundball double play from Lee Won-seok.

In the top of the 8th inning, LG took advantage of a chance with three walks against Hanwha's bullpen, Han Seung-hyeok and Kim Beom-su, and loaded the bases with one out. Park Dong-won faced the early-arriving closer Kim Seo-hyeon and tied the game at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Closer Yoo Young-chan entered in the 8th inning with one out and runners on first and second base, and managed to escape without allowing a run, getting a popout from the second baseman and a groundout from the shortstop. Yoo Young-chan took responsibility until the end of the 9th inning. In the bottom of the 10th, Park Myeong-geun came in as a reliever with one out and runners on first and second, processing Roh Si-hwan with a groundball double play.

In the bottom of the 11th inning, LG was in trouble again. Park Myeong-geun allowed a hit to the lead-off batter but quickly caught the sacrifice bunt attempt and turned it into a double play to get runners out at second and first. However, after two outs, Ahn Chi-hong hit a double down the left field line.

At this moment, manager Youm Kyoung-youb replaced left fielder Choi Won-young with designated hitter Song Chan-ui in left field. All 14 fielders were used, and last, the designated hitter was removed to bolster the defense. This was done in case a hit to left field occurred, bringing in the stronger-armed Song Chan-ui.

With two outs and a runner on second base, Lee Jae-won hit a single to left field. Left fielder Song Chan-ui fielded it on one bounce and made an accurate home throw to tag out the runner at second base. This was a dramatic home assist that prevented a walk-off loss. Manager Youm's player substitution proved to be timely. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, and LG players celebrated as if they had won.

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