LG secured a victory against rival Doosan, led by the strong performance of Song Seung-gi, who is comparable to a first starter.

The LG Twins in the Korea Professional Baseball (KBO) League won 13-5 against the Doosan Bears in their eighth matchup of the season at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 22nd.

Second-place LG recorded its 42nd win of the season with 2 no-decisions and 30 losses, ending a two-game losing streak after a previous day’s defeat. In contrast, Doosan, whose three-game winning streak was cut short after 38 days, now stands at 9th with 29 wins, 3 no-decisions, and 42 losses.

The home team LG fielded the same lineup as the previous day against Doosan's left-handed starter Choi Seung-yong: Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Kim Hyun-soo (left fielder), Austin Dean (first baseman), Moon Bo-gyeong (third baseman), Moon Sung-ju (right fielder), Park Dong-won (designated hitter), Gu Bon-hyeok (shortstop), Lee Ju-heon (catcher), and Park Hae-min (center fielder).

Doosan submitted a lineup against LG's left-handed starter Song Seung-gi consisting of Lee Yoo-chan (shortstop), Jung Soo-bin (center fielder), Yang Eui-ji (designated hitter), Kim Jae-hwan (left fielder), Jake Cave (right fielder), Kim Gi-yeon (catcher), Lim Jong-seong (third baseman), Kim Min-hyuk (first baseman), and Kang Seung-ho (second baseman). A number of right-handed batters including Lee Yoo-chan, Yang Eui-ji, Kim Gi-yeon, Lim Jong-seong, Kim Min-hyuk, and Kang Seung-ho were included in the lineup to face the left-hander.

LG began to aggressively attack Choi Seung-yong from the first inning. Lead-off batter Shin Min-jae’s single to right field marked the beginning of a big inning. Kim Hyun-soo then broke the deadlock with an RBI double to the right-center field, and after Austin walked, 2nd base runner Kim Hyun-soo took advantage of a throwing error by shortstop Lee Yoo-chan to pass third base and score.

LG did not stop there. Following batters Moon Sung-ju hit a single after 8 pitches, Park Dong-won walked to load the bases, and Gu Bon-hyeok had a push walk, while Lee Ju-heon added to the lead with an RBI ground ball, making it 4-0.

In the bottom of the second inning, after one out, Kim Hyun-soo hit a single, and Austin followed with a double that went over left fielder Kim Jae-hwan's head, setting up runners on second and third. Then, Kim Hyun-soo scored on a wild pitch from the opposing pitcher, and with one out and a runner on third, Moon Bo-gyeong extended the lead with an RBI ground ball.

LG's lineup continued to show power in the bottom of the third inning. After one out, Gu Bon-hyeok and Lee Ju-heon hit consecutive singles, placing runners on first and third, allowing Park Hae-min to hit an RBI single to right field on the first pitch. Right fielder Cave attempted a diving catch but was unable to make the play. Afterward, Shin Min-jae drew a walk after a full count, loading the bases once more; Kim Hyun-soo got a push walk, and Austin brought in another run with a sacrifice fly to left field.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, after two outs, focus shone through as Gu Bon-hyeok hit a single, Lee Ju-heon walked, and then Park Hae-min hit an RBI single to center field, solidifying the victory.

In the top of the third inning, Doosan's opportunity for runs was extinguished when Yang Eui-ji struck out with two outs and runners on first and second. Ultimately, in the top of the fifth inning, down 0-10, lead-off hitter Kim Min-hyuk managed to hit a home run, bringing in a single run. Kim Min-hyuk hit the second pitch after taking a strike, sending Song Seung-gi's second offering—a high fastball (145 km/h)—over the left field for a distance of 129.1 meters. It was his ninth home run, coming 448 days since his last one on March 31 of the previous year against the KIA Tigers.

Doosan continued to struggle to score. Lee Yoo-chan and pinch hitter Jo Soo-hyung managed consecutive hits to give them another chance, but Yang Eui-ji popped out to right field and Kim Jae-hwan flied out to center field.

Doosan's drought with runners in scoring position continued. In the top of the sixth inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, Kang Seung-ho ended the inning with a fly out to center field, and in the top of the seventh inning, lead-off hitter Lee Yoo-chan doubled, but Jo Soo-hyung, Yang Eui-ji, and Kim Dong-jun failed to follow up with hits.

LG's offense pushed again in the bottom of the seventh inning. Lead-off hitter Lee Ju-heon hit a single to right field, and Park Hae-min hit a double to create a scoring opportunity, with Shin Min-jae pushing the lead further with an RBI infield hit.

Doosan took advantage of Jung Wooyoung's struggle with control in the top of the eighth inning. Lead-off hitter Kim Min-seok walked, Kim Gi-yeon was hit by a pitch, and pinch hitter Kim In-tae walked to load the bases with no outs. Then, a wild pitch by Seong Dong-hyun allowed Kim Min-seok to score, and at bat, Kim Min-hyuk earned a push walk.

Doosan steadily tallied points with Kang Seung-ho's RBI single to left field, followed by an RBI ground ball from Lee Yoo-chan and Jo Soo-hyung, but the momentum was already in favor of the opponent.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, after one out, Park Dong-won hit a double, Gu Bon-hyeok added a single to left field, and Lee Ju-heon walked to load the bases. Park Hae-min's push walk and Shin Min-jae's RBI ground ball highlighted LG's escape from the losing streak.

LG starter Song Seung-gi earned his eighth win of the season with a strong performance: 6 innings pitched, allowing 6 hits (1 home run), 3 walks, 4 strikeouts, and giving up just 1 run on 100 pitches. His earned run average dropped to 2.57, placing him at the top of the native ERA rankings, surpassing Samsung Lions' Won Tae-in, who has a 2.59 ERA.

Following him were Jang Hyun-sik (1 inning, no runs), Jung Wooyoung (0 innings, 3 runs), Seong Dong-hyun (0 innings, 1 run), Lee Ji-kang (1 inning, no runs), and Yoo Young-chan (1 inning, no runs).

The lineup recorded 15 hits against Doosan's pitching. Park Hae-min led the charge with 3 hits in 4 at-bats, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, and 1 run scored, while Gu Bon-hyeok also accomplished 3 hits in 4 at-bats, producing 1 RBI and scoring 3 times; Shin Min-jae, Kim Hyun-soo, and Lee Ju-heon contributed with multi-hit games.

Meanwhile, Doosan's starter Choi Seung-yong endured a poor outing, lasting just 2⅓ innings, allowing 8 hits, walking 5, giving up 9 runs on 86 pitches. Despite Lee Yoo-chan's 3 hits and Kim Min-hyuk's home run, it was not enough in a heavy defeat.

LG will compete in a three-game weekday series against the KT Wiz in Suwon starting on the 24th, after a day of rest. Doosan will face the SSG Landers at home.

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