The bottom-ranked Kiwoom Heroes swept the weekend three-game series against the Samsung Lions. Kiwoom won 10-7 in a home game against Samsung at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 29th. Meanwhile, Samsung has fallen into a four-game losing streak.
Kiwoom set its batting order with third baseman Song Seong-moon, first baseman Im Ji-yeol, center fielder Lee Ju-hyung (number 2), right fielder Joo Sung-won, left fielder Stone Garrett, designated hitter Lee Ju-hyung (number 58), shortstop Eo Jun-seo, catcher Kim Keon-hee, and second baseman Jeon Tae-hyun. The starting pitcher was Lachlan Wells.
Samsung, starting left-hander Lee Seung-hyun, set its starting lineup with center fielder Kim Ji-chan, designated hitter Kim Sung-yoon, left fielder Koo Ja-wook, first baseman Lewin Diaz, third baseman Jeon Byeong-woo, right fielder Lee Sung-kyu, shortstop Lee Jae-hyun, catcher Kim Jae-sung, and second baseman Yang Do-gun.
Kiwoom scored first in the first inning. Song Seong-moon reached base after being hit by a pitch and stole second base. Soon after, Im Ji-yeol hit a single to left field, creating a no-out opportunity with runners on first and third. When Lee Ju-hyung (number 2) hit a ground ball to shortstop, third runner Song Seong-moon crossed home plate while Im Ji-yeol was out at second base. Lee Ju-hyung touched home during Joo Sung-won’s at-bat, and Joo Sung-won also walked. Stone and Lee Ju-hyung (number 58) both hit consecutive RBIs, extending the lead to 3-0.
In the third inning, Kiwoom's Lee Ju-hyung (number 58) and Eo Jun-seo hit consecutive singles, creating a no-out opportunity with runners on first and third. Kim Keon-hee added another run with an infield ground ball.
Samsung retaliated in the fourth inning with Diaz's single and Jeon Byeong-woo's walk, starting their pursuit with no outs and runners on first and second. Lee Sung-kyu struck out swinging, but Lee Jae-hyun hit a double to left-center, bringing in one run. With one out and runners on second and third, pinch hitter Kang Min-ho recorded a sacrifice fly to center field, earning the second run.
In the fifth inning, Kiwoom took advantage of another scoring opportunity with lead-off batter Kim Keon-hee's double to right-center and Jeon Tae-hyun's single to left field. With no outs and runners on first and third, Song Seong-moon hit a three-run homer. Samsung narrowed the gap in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly by Lee Jae-hyun, bringing in one more run with one out and runners on second and third. In the bottom of the sixth, Kiwoom added two runs with Eo Jun-seo's RBI double and Jeon Tae-hyun's sacrifice fly to left field, extending their lead to seven runs.
In the seventh inning, Samsung obtained a golden opportunity with no outs and bases loaded following consecutive hits by Kim Sung-yoon and Koo Ja-wook and Diaz's walk. Ryu Ji-hyeok drew a bases-loaded walk. Kim Tae-hoon added another run with a hit to right field. Kiwoom's bench brought in Won Jong-hyun to the mound instead of Jo Young-gun. During Lee Jae-hyun's ground ball double play to shortstop, third runner Diaz crossed home plate. In the continuing situation with two outs and a runner on third, Kang Min-ho narrowed the deficit with an RBI single.
Kiwoom's starter Wells reported his first win in the KBO League, pitching 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 2 batters while giving up 2 runs. Lee Ju-hyung (number 58), who served as designated hitter, led the offense with 4 hits in 5 at-bats, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs. Song Seong-moon hit a home run for the third consecutive game. Additionally, Lee Ju-hyung (number 2), Stone, Eo Jun-seo, Kim Keon-hee, and Jeon Tae-hyun achieved multi-hit games.
Samsung's starting left-hander Lee Seung-hyun finished with 1⅓ innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 walks, striking out 1 batter, and giving up 3 runs. Lee Jae-hyun (2 hits in 3 at-bats, 2 RBIs), Kim Tae-hoon (2 hits in 2 at-bats, 1 RBI), and Kim Ji-chan (2 hits in 5 at-bats) achieved multi-hit games, but it did not shine in the team's defeat.
[OSEN]