“It was just unfortunate.”

Professional baseball Lotte Giants manager Kim Tae-hyoung explained the process of additional runs in the 6th inning while reviewing the game from the previous day (28th) before facing the KT Wiz at Busan Sajik Stadium on the 29th.

Lotte lost 0-4 the previous day. They have gone 15 innings without scoring since the 4th inning of the game on the 27th. Starting pitcher Na Gyun-an recorded 5⅓ innings with 10 hits allowed, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, and 4 runs given up before being taken out. He left the mound after creating a bases-loaded situation with one out in the 6th, and relief pitcher Hong Min-ki gave up a two-run single to Kim Min-hyuk, resulting in additional runs, which effectively became the nail in the coffin.

At this time, there was disappointment regarding the defense of shortstop Jeon Min-jae. Jeon Min-jae misjudged the start on Kim Min-hyuk's ground ball. He attempted to dash forward but then retreated diagonally while chasing the ball. Eventually, as the ball's speed increased, it passed by Jeon Min-jae. Even though he tried to dive, it was of no use.

It was a moment that made one think, if Jeon Min-jae had made the right judgment on the ball, they could have aimed for a counterattack after the double play.

In response, manager Kim Tae-hyoung said, “First of all, (Kim Min-hyuk) made contact with the ball, so a result came out,” and regarding Jeon Min-jae's defense, he noted, “The ball was fast. It spun forward, so it extended further than expected. There’s no point in discussing the bounce judgment; it was just a hit.” Kim Tae-hyoung explained that the ball, having received topspin, sped up right after the bounce, making the judgment difficult, and even under normal circumstances, it would have been hard to catch.

If they had overcome the 6th inning without allowing runs, even if the batting lineup did not explode, Lotte could have strategized for the later situation. Hong Min-ki allowed the inherited runner to score but struck out 5 times over 1⅔ innings until the 6th, holding the innings without allowing additional runs.

Manager Kim Tae-hyoung said, “The day before (27th), it seemed like the balance was collapsing, so I took him out quickly, but I brought him up to see again yesterday, and he pitched better than expected. It will be hard to use him today.”

[OSEN]