NC defeated Doosan for two consecutive days, leading to the 8th inning of promise.

The NC Dinos of the Korea Professional Baseball League won 3-1 against the Doosan Bears in the 8th matchup of the season on the 28th at Changwon NC Park.

NC secured an early winning series in the weekend three-game series by overpowering Doosan for two consecutive days following the previous day. The season record stands at 35 wins, 4 ties, and 36 losses. Meanwhile, Doosan, which is on a three-game losing streak, has a record of 30 wins, 3 ties, and 45 losses.

The home team NC set the starting lineup against Doosan's left-handed pitcher Jack Logan with Kim Joo-won (shortstop), Kwon Hee-dong (left fielder), Park Min-woo (second baseman), Matt Davidson (first baseman), Park Gun-woo (right fielder), Kim Hwi-jip (third baseman), Song Seung-hwan (designated hitter), Kim Hyung-jun (catcher), and Oh Tae-yang (center fielder).

Fortunately, Kim Hwi-jip, who was replaced due to a hamstring injury the previous day, avoided a severe injury. NC manager Lee Ho-jun said, "He got a shot to loosen up (the muscle) and said he could play in the game. We might substitute him during the game depending on the situation. I won't push him too hard."

Doosan submitted a lineup against NC's starting pitcher Logan Allen, including Jeong Soo-bin (center fielder), Lee Yoo-chan (shortstop), Jake Cave (right fielder), Yang Eui-ji (designated hitter), Park Jun-soon (third baseman), Oh Myung-jin (second baseman), Ryu Hyun-jun (catcher), Kang Seung-ho (first baseman), and Kim Min-seok (left fielder).

As part of load management for starting catcher Yang Eui-ji, second-year rookie Ryu Hyun-jun wore the catcher mask. Doosan's interim manager Cho Sung-hwan expressed his expectations, saying, "I am curious how Ryu Hyun-jun will handle Jack Logan's dazzling pitches. I told him to prepare for a starting role the next time he comes up before heading to the Futures League. Today is that opportunity."

In the bottom of the 1st inning, NC missed a scoring chance after starting batter Kim Joo-won walked and stole second base, but in the bottom of the 2nd inning, they took the lead with a solo home run from Kim Hwi-jip after one out. Kim Hwi-jip hit the slider that was thrown in the middle (124 km) for a 115-meter left-field home run after watching the first pitch strike from Jack Logan. It was his 10th home run of the season after six games since the match against the LG Twins on the 19th. This home run marked his second consecutive year of reaching double digits in home runs, following last year's 16.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, leading batters Park Min-woo and Davidson hit consecutive singles, setting up first and second base with no outs, but Park Gun-woo grounded into a double play from second baseman to shortstop to first base, and Kim Hwi-jip grounded out to third base. In the bottom of the 5th inning, after one out, Kim Hyung-jun hit a double that split the right center field, and Oh Tae-yang recorded his first hit on debut, but the opportunity with one out on first and third was also wasted when Kim Joo-won hit into a double play.

Doosan, which had not stepped on second base until the 5th inning, equalized the score in the top of the 6th inning. Starting with a misplay by second baseman Park Min-woo on a first base throw, leading batter Jeong Soo-bin reached base. Lee Yoo-chan struck out swinging, but while Jake Cave was at bat, Jeong Soo-bin attempted to steal second base, and took advantage of a shortstop Kim Joo-won's catching error to race to third base. Then, while Cave was at bat, he made a sacrifice fly to right field, making it 1-1.

The turning point came in the bottom of the 8th inning. After one out, Kim Joo-won hit a double that split the right center field, and Kwon Hee-dong walked on four straight balls to establish runners on first and second. Park Min-woo stepped up to the plate, and with a 1B-0S count, the pitcher changed from Park Shin-ji to Lee Byeong-heon, and second base runner Kim Joo-won attempted to steal third base. However, catcher Ryu Hyun-jun made a throwing error and allowed Kim Joo-won to pass third base and touch home plate, scoring the decisive run. Meanwhile, first base runner Kwon Hee-dong advanced to second base.

NC did not stop there and secured victory with a one-RBI hit from Park Min-woo.

NC starter Logan pitched 8 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 8 while giving up 1 earned run (unearned) on 104 pitches, recording his 5th win of the season (7 losses). Ryu Jin-wook came in for the 9th inning, pitching 1 inning with no runs, marking his 16th save of the season.

On the other hand, Doosan's starter Jack Logan pitched 7 innings, allowing 6 hits (including 1 home run), 1 walk, and striking out 4 while giving up 1 earned run on 97 pitches, but failed to achieve a victory. The losing pitcher was Park Shin-ji.

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