It was the first time for a 9th-inning comeback.

Professional baseball LG Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb could not hide his joy even the day after achieving a dramatic 9th-inning comeback.

LG came from behind to win 4-3 against KT in a game held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 26th, scoring two runs in the top of the 9th inning after trailing 2-3.

Up until the 25th, LG had not achieved a comeback victory in games where they were behind up to the 7th inning this season. They recorded 27 losses and 1 draw, and together with the NC Dinos (30 losses and 2 draws), they had zero comeback wins after the 8th inning.

Manager Youm appeared about two minutes late for a press interview on the 27th at Jamsil Stadium, laughing and joking, "I was disoriented since it was the first time in a while we turned things around." He continued, "I thought we had lost 100%. I was surprised. A wild pitch happened, and I wondered why the heavens were doing this to me all of a sudden."

Manager Youm said, "While talking with the coaches in the dugout, I heard a crack, and I thought, if Cheon Seong-ho hits a double (the scene of a hit), we could win, but we've used a lot of pitchers, and we just needed to tie. We have pitchers left, so it's enough until the 11th inning. But then suddenly, the ball hit the catcher's mitt and ricocheted to the side. That's all luck. If it had gone normally, it would have dropped in front after hitting the catcher, but it hit the mitt and veered off to the side. I wondered why the heavens were doing this to me all of a sudden," he said, laughing.

In the top of the 9th inning, leading off with a 2-3 deficit, Cheon Seong-ho reached base with a double against KT closer Park Young-hyun, and they scored a tying run from second and third on a wild pitch. Shin Min-jae then hit a go-ahead single to turn the score around to 4-3. In the bottom of the 9th, closer Yoo Young-chan secured the one-run victory, thanks to Cheon Seong-ho, who was traded from KT on the 25th and delivered a crucial double.

Cheon Seong-ho was excluded from the starting lineup for the game against KIA that day. Since KIA starter Yang Hyun-jong is a left-handed pitcher, Cheon Seong-ho might have been left out. Manager Youm said, "Seong-ho doesn't have a place to play. Today, Dong-won needs to rest, so he will be a designated hitter. I would like to put him in if there is a space, but there isn’t, so he will start tomorrow."

If Moon Bo-gyeong plays as the designated hitter, Cheon Seong-ho will start at third base. Manager Youm mentioned Cheon Seong-ho's utilization, saying, "When Bo-gyeong takes a break as designated hitter, he plays third base about twice a week. When Ji-hwan comes up, Min-jae should also get a break sometimes. He will also play second base when Min-jae rests."

Cheon Seong-ho recorded 1 hit in 4 at-bats during his debut wearing an LG uniform. Manager Youm remarked about Cheon Seong-ho, "Overall, he didn’t do badly. He doesn’t go down easily. Seeing his high batting average of .390 in the second team, he has contact ability."

[OSEN]