The Korea Professional Baseball KT Wiz escaped a three-game losing streak with the power of their batting lineup.
KT achieved a 10-3 victory over the SSG Landers in the '2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League' match held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 9th, breaking their losing streak.
Starting pitcher So Hyung-jun delivered a strong performance with 7 innings pitched, allowing 8 hits and striking out 3 while giving up 2 earned runs (1 unearned), earning his 7th win of the season. Woo Kyu-min (1 inning, 1 earned run) and Lee Sang-dong (1 inning, no earned runs) contributed to the bullpen's support, securing the team's victory.
KT's batting lineup unleashed 13 hits and 4 home runs. Rojas hit two home runs (12th and 13th of the season), and Ahn Hyun-min (16th of the season) and Heo Kyung-min (2nd of the season) also contributed to the home run tally. Heo Kyung-min excelled with 5 hits in 5 at-bats, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, and 2 runs scored. Ahn Hyun-min showcased his hot hitting with 3 hits in 4 at-bats, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored, and 1 walk.
KT seized the momentum in the second inning with back-to-back home runs from Rojas and Heo Kyung-min. In the third inning with two outs, Ahn Hyun-min added another run with a solo home run. In the bottom of the third, SSG’s Eredia reached base with a hit and Choi Jeong narrowed the gap with a 1-RBI double.
In the top of the fourth, KT, with leadoff hitter Rojas reaching base on a walk, capitalized on Heo Kyung-min's hit and a right fielder's error to create a no-out opportunity at 1st and 3rd base. Kim Sang-su produced an RBI single to extend the lead. Bae Jeong-dae hit into a 6-4-3 double play, leaving two outs at 3rd base, but pinch hitter Lee Jeong-hoon drew a walk, and a wild pitch allowed another run to score.
In the top of the fifth, Ahn Hyun-min hit a single with one out, and Rojas followed with a two-run home run, increasing the lead to 7-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, SSG's leadoff hitter Choi Jeong reached base with a hit, and Han Yoo-seom's ground ball to the pitcher resulted in a throwing error by So Hyung-jun, creating a no-out opportunity at 1st and 3rd base. Ko Myung-jun followed with a 1-RBI ground out, narrowing the gap by one run.
In the top of the seventh, Ahn Hyun-min and Jang Seong-woo hit consecutive singles. With one out and runners on 1st and 3rd, Heo Kyung-min delivered an RBI single, extending the lead to 8-2. In the bottom of the eighth, SSG's Han Yoo-seom hit a solo home run, bringing them within one run again. However, in the top of the ninth, KT created a one-out opportunity with Jang Seong-woo's single and Oh Yun-seok's walk, and Heo Kyung-min's 2-RBI double sealed the victory.
KT manager Lee Kang-cheol expressed his thoughts in a post-game interview, saying, "So Hyung-jun, who concluded his last start of the first half, performed as a really good pitcher and laid the groundwork for the victory. The batting lineup was led by Rojas and Heo Kyung-min, who combined for 7 RBIs. Rojas and Heo Kyung-min’s consecutive home runs in the second inning established the momentum. Ahn Hyun-min's home run and Kim Sang-su's additional RBIs helped secure the victory. It is encouraging that Heo Kyung-min, who had been struggling earlier, showed good hitting form."
Lee Kang-cheol, having escaped the three-game losing streak, said, "The players did a great job in the hot weather, and I want to thank the fans who came to cheer for us during the away game," expressing gratitude to both the players who gave their best despite the heat and the fans who supported them.
KT has announced that Ko Young-pyo will be the starting pitcher for the upcoming last game of the first half on the 10th, while SSG's ace Drew Anderson will take the mound as the starting pitcher.
[OSEN]