LG Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb expressed disappointment with his team's performance despite a walk-off victory.
LG achieved a 9-8 walk-off victory against the NC Dinosaurs at Jamsil Stadium on the 18th. In the bottom of the 9th inning with one out and runners on first and third, Song Chan-ui hit a ground ball to the shortstop, and the lead runner was out at second base, but Song Chan-ui was safe at first, securing the walk-off win.
Manager Youm Kyoung-youb remarked on the 19th at Jamsil Stadium about the previous day's game, saying, "It wasn't our country’s baseball. That's why we couldn't play baseball well." He added, "The starter didn't perform, we got hit in the middle, the defense didn't work, the bats didn't work; all four parts are not matching perfectly," while forcing a smile. It was a moment of self-deprecation.
Although LG won, upon examining the game, it is hard to refute Manager Youm's self-deprecating comments. The ace starter, Chirinus, could not complete five innings and was pulled after allowing six runs. The winning bullpen gave up a two-run lead. In the 8th inning, a series of throwing errors by the catcher and the center fielder during a stolen base attempt by NC allowed the opposing team to tie the game easily. LG recorded 10 hits and 11 walks the previous day, but left a staggering 12 runners on base.
Cleanup hitter Moon Bo-gyeong failed to get a timely hit in various scoring opportunities: one out with runners on second and third, two outs with bases loaded, and one out with bases loaded multiple times. He managed to drive in four runs with a sacrifice fly, walk, ground ball, and another sacrifice fly, setting a KBO record for "no hits with four RBIs."
Still, he mentioned hope. Manager Youm said, "Baseball always has its bad times, but those times make the good times even better, so I believe this is such a period. The most important point is that the players are working very hard. They practice a lot and work hard in their positions, but it’s unfortunate to watch when they don't succeed."
Manager Youm also noted, "Baseball is not that easy, so teams that can control their mental state and overcome challenges usually achieve results in the end. Looking at the halfway point, considering various situations, our players are hanging in there. I believe that in the remaining half of the season, we will become stronger than we were in the first half, provided that the batting lineup comes alive."
Moon Bo-gyeong made a headfirst slide into first base after hitting a ground ball in the 7th inning of the previous game. It was a reckless move with injury risks involved. Manager Youm commented, "It's frustrating. He wants to do well, but when things don't go as planned, he tries anything he can. It’s risky, but it shows he’s giving his best. I firmly advise against such risky moves because of injury potential, but we cannot criticize him for trying his best."
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