The Samsung team experienced a thrilling victory thanks to Lee Jae-hyun's game-changing grand slam in the 9th inning. However, manager Park Jin-man noted that Lee Jae-hyun first praised 'this player.'
The Samsung Lions of the Korea Professional Baseball (KBO) recorded a comeback victory of 6-4 against the Doosan Bears in their 12th season meeting held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on July 3.
Samsung redeemed themselves from the previous day's loss and decorated the weekday three-game series with a winning series. The season record stands at 41 wins, 1 draw, and 40 losses.
Facing a deficit of 1-3, Samsung hit the field in the top of the 9th. Instead of the closer Kim Taek-yeon, who was suffering from a sore throat, Choi Ji-gang took the mound, and Samsung seized the opportunity presented by the temporary closer. With leadoff hitters Lewin Diaz and Koo Ja-wook hitting consecutive singles, and Kim Young-woong drawing a walk, the bases were loaded without an out. Coming in as a pinch hitter, Park Seung-kyu faced veteran left-handed pitcher Ko Hyo-jun and calmly drew a walk to keep the scoring momentum going.
The batter who continued the bases-loaded opportunity was Lee Jae-hyun. After establishing a favorable count of 2B-1S against the changed pitcher Park Sin-ji, he hit a high slider (134 km/h) on the fourth pitch, sending it 115 meters into left field for a game-changing grand slam. It was the finishing blow that marked the end of the comeback drama.
Samsung took the mound with closer Lee Ho-seong in the bottom of the 9th, leading 6-3. Although Lee gave up a solo home run to Oh Myung-jin with two outs, it did not significantly impact the outcome.
After the game, Samsung manager Park Jin-man said, "I want to commend Park Seung-kyu for his calmness coming in as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded in the top of the 9th. It was a very tense situation for all of us, but he calmly drew a walk that brought us within one run, shifting the momentum to our side," mentioning Park Seung-kyu before Lee Jae-hyun.
He added, "Of course, Lee Jae-hyun's grand slam was the decisive blow that confirmed our victory."
The manager also applauded the pitching staff, including starter Choi Won-tae, who supported the victory with a quality start. Park Jin-man remarked, "Starter Choi Won-tae's ability to endure innings with a quality start was a great help. Additionally, Lee Seung-min and Kim Tae-hoon stopping them without allowing runs was a driving force that enabled our comeback. It was a game where the players showed their determination to not give up and to give their best until the end."
Samsung will face the LG Twins at home in a weekend three-game series starting on the 4th. The first day's matchup is anticipated to be between Lee Seung-hyun (Samsung) and Song Seung-gi (LG).
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