Hanwha Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon predicted a fierce ranking competition until the end of the season.
Manager Kim Kyung-moon said during an interview before the game against the Kiwoom Heroes at the Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 6th, "In fact, if we had scored more runs, Ryu Hyun-jin would have been more comfortable, but since we can only score 2 runs every time, he struggles too much," and laughed.
Ryu Hyun-jin started against Kiwoom on the 5th, pitching 5 innings with 5 hits allowed, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, and 3 earned runs. With Hanwha leading 2-0, he allowed 3 runs in the 5th inning due to a walk and an error, resulting in a reversal. However, Hanwha took the lead again with Chae Eun-seong's two-run homer in the 8th and Luis Liberato's go-ahead RBI double in the 9th, winning 6-4 and extending their winning streak to 2 games.
Manager Kim Kyung-moon expressed regret, saying, "If we had scored about 3 to 4 runs, it would have been much easier for the pitching. But since we only scored 2, Hyun-jin had to exert himself, leading to a higher pitch count in the 5th." He added, "But I think it's fortunate that after being reversed, we regained the lead."
Hanwha's starting lineup consisted of Lee Won-seok (right fielder), Luis Liberato (center fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (left fielder), Roh Si-hwan (third baseman), Chae Eun-seong (designated hitter), Kim Tae-yean (first baseman), Lee Do-yoon (second baseman), Lee Jae-won (catcher), and Shim Woo-jun (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Ryan Weiss. Ryu Hyun-jin was removed from the first team roster, and Yoon San-heum was called up.
Manager Kim Kyung-moon stated, "As the All-Star break is approaching, I want to give opportunities to new players instead of the starting pitchers. Today, Weiss will be out, and Moon Dong-ju will also miss. I want to register players who haven't played much and give them opportunities, even if it's just one at-bat or one inning. They have been working hard, and there should be chances in the first team; it will be tough if they only play in the second team."
Hanwha currently leads the league with a record of 48 wins, 2 ties, and 33 losses, achieving a winning percentage of .593. However, the second-place KIA (45 wins, 3 ties, 36 losses, winning percentage of .556) is on a strong rise. In June, KIA recorded 15 wins, 2 ties, and 7 losses, achieving a monthly winning percentage of .682, and continued with 4 wins and 1 loss in July at a winning percentage of .800.
"I was surprised that KIA is doing so well," said manager Kim Kyung-moon, who added, "KIA also has many injured players, but the players who have come after them are doing exceptionally well with a desperate mindset. The team seems to be gaining strength." He continued, "KIA is hot, but we are also preparing well to play at home. We also have to support Moon Dong-ju."
Ace Cody Ponce finished the first half with 11 wins and no losses. It is the fourth time in KBO history that a player has recorded more than 10 wins in the first half without any losses. In the previous 3 instances, the player's team won the championship.
Hearing this, manager Kim Kyung-moon said with a smile, "That's good news. Since we're in first place, there is pressure. However, Ponce usually tends to avoid pitching as much as possible, but we actually have to support him and help him get saves. Ultimately, the competition will go on until the end of the season after the All-Star break; in a way, it could go down to the wire, as a 3-4 game difference can change in a single series," projecting that the ranking competition will be fierce until the end of this season.
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