The decision to consider a rainout even until the final decision resulted in a successful conclusion with the rainout.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) decided on the 21st to cancel the 10th matchup between Samsung and Lotte at the Busan Sajik Stadium due to rain.
Until the afternoon, it seemed like the game would proceed normally as the rain forecast had been pushed to the evening. However, after 4 p.m., it started to rain, and the downpour intensified. Ultimately, a large tarp was brought back out, and despite waiting until the scheduled game time of 5 p.m., the rain did not stop. The decision to cancel the game was made at 5:11 p.m.
From Lotte's perspective, which has played the most games in the league this year (74 games), every rainout can only be welcomed. This is the 8th game cancellation of the season (7 rainouts, 1 safety inspection cancellation).
With key starters sidelined by multiple injuries, Lotte finds it preferable to play even one game later on. Additionally, as the team that actively utilizes its bullpen the most in the league, they inevitably hope for a natural day of rest.
Lotte won the previous day's game (20th) with a score of 3-1. Starter Alec Gamboa pitched 6 innings, allowing 1 run, followed by Jeong Hyeon-su, Jeong Cheol-won, and Kim Won-jung, who each pitched an inning from the 7th to the 9th to secure the victory. Notably, all three, Jeong Hyeon-su, Jeong Cheol-won, and Kim Won-jung, performed bravely despite being in the third consecutive game. Kim Tae-hyoung's decision paid off.
However, for the decision of a three-game series to achieve perfect success, the game on the 21st had to be rained out. Kim Tae-hyoung likely calculated that the game on the 22nd would also be rained out. If the game on the 22nd were to take place, Jeong Hyeon-su, Jeong Cheol-won, and Kim Won-jung, who had all pitched in the third consecutive game, would not be able to participate. This situation meant that the ace relief pitchers, including the closer, could not be used. Only Choi Jun-yong had rested the previous day after two consecutive games. Among the relief pitchers, only Choi Jun-yong could be utilized that day. Contrary to expectations, it seemed like the game would normally take place, but ultimately around 4:30 p.m., the downpour intensified and the game was canceled. The Lotte bullpen enjoyed a sweet day of rest without a game.
In fact, from Samsung's perspective, a rainout is not a bad thing. They lost 8-9 in a hard-fought battle against Doosan on the 19th, and the day before against Lotte, well-hit balls were right at the fielders and caught, resulting in a 1-3 loss. A day off during a two-game losing streak was fine. Additionally, shortstop Lee Jae-hyun is suffering from hamstring pain, so this provides an opportunity to recuperate. Samsung announced that Won Tae-in would start on the 22nd, expressing their determination to win.
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