The Sajik Baseball Stadium was abuzz with the appearance of a left-handed fireballer. Hong Min-ki of the Lotte Giants pitched brilliantly, reaching a top speed of 155 km/h.

On the 18th, Hong Min-ki started as a pitcher in the regular season game against Hanwha Eagles at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, where he recorded 4 innings of 61 pitches, allowing 4 hits, 1 walk, striking out 4, and giving up 1 run before leaving the mound.

This was Hong Min-ki's first start of the season. Lotte, needing a replacement starter, selected left-handed fireballer Hong Min-ki as the starter. Kim Tae-hyoung noted, "First of all, reports came in that (Yoon) Seong-bin was throwing the best pitches in the second team. He has been consistently good." Initially, it was supposed to be Na Gyun-an's turn, but he developed symptoms and was given an extra day of rest.

This was indeed his first start of the season. He had previously started in a game against LG on May 12 last year. He recorded 2⅔ innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 walks, striking out 1, and giving up 2 runs. This was his first start in 402 days.

That day, Hong Min-ki drew cheers from the fans by throwing a 153 km/h fastball at the leadoff hitter Lee Won-seok on the first pitch. With a count of 1 ball and 2 strikes, he threw his fourth pitch at 155 km/h, striking him out looking. He then threw a 152 km/h fastball to Ahn Chi-hong, inducing a ground ball to the shortstop. He faced Moon Hyun-bin with sliders and changeups, inducing a fly out to left field and completing a three-up, three-down inning.

In the second inning, he dominated the leadoff hitter Roh Si-hwan by throwing a 155 km/h fastball and induced a swing-and-miss strikeout with a 135 km/h slider. He also threw a 151 km/h fastball inside to Chae Eun-seong, resulting in a ground ball to the shortstop, demonstrating a force strong enough to break a bat. After two outs, he allowed a hit to Kim Tae-yean but completed the inning by inducing a ground ball to the shortstop off Lee Do-yoon with a 153 km/h fastball at 1 ball and 2 strikes.

The batting lineup added 4 runs in the bottom of the second inning, easing the pressure on Hong Min-ki. Catcher Park Jae-yeop, who was working in tandem with him, hit a three-run home run.

In the third inning, his control wavered somewhat, and he allowed several solid hits. However, he still ended the inning without allowing any runs. He retired leadoff hitter Choi Jae-hun on a line drive to the shortstop and then allowed a walk to Ha Ju-suk, which put him in a jam. Afterward, he got Lee Won-seok to fly out to right field. However, the hitters continued to hit the ball well. Nevertheless, he struck out Ahn Chi-hong swinging with two outs and one on, completing three innings without surrendering a run.

Hong Min-ki returned to the mound in the fourth inning. He induced leadoff hitter Moon Hyun-bin to ground out to first base on his first pitch. After one out, he gave up a single to Roh Si-hwan. However, he struck out Chae Eun-seong and then induced Yuro-gyeol to hit a ground ball to third base on the first pitch, wrapping up the inning.

After adding 2 more runs in the bottom of the fourth, Hong Min-ki took the mound again in the fifth to meet the qualifications for a win. He had already surpassed his personal high for innings pitched and number of pitches thrown in a game. Ultimately, he faced Lee Do-yoon, who hit a single to right, and after a full count battle with Choi Jae-hun, he surrendered a double down the left field line, creating a no-out, second and third base crisis.

This was the extent of Hong Min-ki's role. Although he did not meet the qualifications for his first victory, his pitching was impressive. The over 20,000 fans in attendance at Sajik gave Hong Min-ki a standing ovation.

Soon after, Jeong Hyeon-su, who came in, allowed a sacrifice fly to Lee Jin-young, resulting in Hong Min-ki allowing one run, but right-handed pitcher Kim Kang-hyun retired Lee Won-seok on a ground ball to third and struck out Ahn Chi-hong, preventing further damage. Lotte is leading 6-1.

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