The Hanwha Eagles achieved victory in a fierce ace matchup.
Hanwha won 2-1 against the Kiwoom Heroes in the '2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League' game held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 4th.
Starting pitcher Cody Ponce threw 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 walk, striking out 11, and giving up 1 run, but left without a decision. The bullpen, with Kim Beom-Su (⅔ inning, no runs), Kim Jong-soo (⅓ inning, no runs), and Kim Seo-hyeon (1 inning, no runs) following, maintained a no-run performance, paving the way for the comeback victory. Kim Seo-hyeon closed the 9th with perfect pitching, earning his 21st save of the season.
Hanwha's starting lineup consisted of Lee Won-seok (center fielder), Ha Ju-suk (second baseman), Luis Liberato (designated hitter), Moon Hyun-bin (left fielder), Chae Eun-seong (first baseman), Roh Si-hwan (third baseman), Lee Jin-young (right fielder), Choi Jae-hun (catcher), and Shim Woo-jun (shortstop). Roh Si-hwan hit his 16th home run of the season, becoming the hero of the game. Ha Ju-suk and Shim Woo-jun contributed with multi-hit performances.
Kiwoom's starting pitcher Raul Alcantara pitched 7⅓ innings, allowing 7 hits, 1 walk, striking out 7, and giving up 1 run, showcasing a great pitching duel with Ponce, but did not get a decision. Following him, Jo Young-geon pitched 1⅓ innings, allowing 2 hits (including 1 home run), striking out 1, and recorded the loss. Won Jong-hyun pitched ⅓ inning with no runs but could not prevent the loss.
Kiwoom's starting lineup included Kim Keon-hee (catcher), Lim Ji-yeol (designated hitter), Lee Joo-hyung (center fielder), Choi Joo-hwan (first baseman), Joo Sung-won (right fielder), Stone Garrett (left fielder), Eo Jun-seo (shortstop), and Jeon Tae-hyun (second baseman). Choi Joo-hwan showed good hitting form with 2 doubles, but his team's loss overshadowed his performance. With this defeat, Kiwoom fell into a 3-game losing streak.
In the bottom of the 1st, with 1 out, Lim Ji-yeol reached base with a hit. Lee Joo-hyung struck out, but Lim Ji-yeol stole second to create a 2-out, 2nd base chance, and Choi Joo-hwan hit an RBI double to score the first run. Joo Sung-won walked to connect a 2-out, 1st and 2nd base opportunity, but Stone was caught on a pop-up to the shortstop.
Hanwha's leadoff batter Lee Jin-young walked on a 4th inning. Choi Jae-hun failed to execute a sacrifice bunt and was caught on a foul fly to the catcher, but Shim Woo-jun hit a double, creating a 2-out, 2nd and 3rd base opportunity. Lee Won-seok came through with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. The opportunity continued with Ha Ju-suk striking out and Lee Won-seok stealing second, but Liberato was caught on a ground ball to second base, failing to take the lead.
In the bottom of the 3rd, with 2 outs, Lee Joo-hyung hit a double, but Choi Joo-hwan was caught on a foul fly to third base, and the scoring opportunity was lost.
In the top of the 4th, Hanwha's Chae Eun-seong hit a single with one out, and after Roh Si-hwan struck out, Lee Jin-young hit a double to create a 2-out, 2nd and 3rd base opportunity, but Choi Jae-hun grounded out to the first baseman, squandering the chance.
In the bottom of the 6th, with 2 outs, Choi Joo-hwan hit his second double of the game, but Joo Sung-won struck out, and the scoring opportunity was wasted.
In the top of the 8th, Hanwha's Roh Si-hwan hit a go-ahead solo home run, successfully taking the lead. After Lee Jin-young struck out, Choi Jae-hun hit a single to reconnect the opportunity. However, Shim Woo-jun was caught on a pop-up to second base, and no additional runs scored.
In the top of the 9th, in the final defense, Hanwha's closer Kim Seo-hyeon demonstrated perfect pitching in a three-up, three-down sequence, finishing the game with a victory.
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