The wizard army, led by the performance of '10.7 billion won submarine' Ko Young-pyo and substitute Kim Min-hyeok, made a leap to 5th place in the finale of the first half.
On the 10th, the professional baseball team KT Wiz achieved a comeback victory of 4-2 against SSG Landers in the 11th match of the season held at Incheon SSG Landers Field in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League.
Having succeeded in a two-game winning streak, KT decorated the final three games of the first half with a winning series, pushing SSG down to 5th place. The season record stands at 45 wins, 3 draws, and 41 losses. In contrast, SSG, which has now lost two matches in a row, dropped to 6th place with a record of 43 wins, 3 draws, and 41 losses.
The home team SSG set up a starting lineup against KT's starter Ko Young-pyo, including Park Sung-han (shortstop), Guillermo Heredia (left fielder), Choi Jeong (third baseman), Han Yu-seom (designated hitter), Ko Myung-jun (first baseman), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Choi Jun-woo (right fielder), Jung Joon-jae (second baseman), and Jo Hyung-woo (catcher).
SSG manager Lee Sung-yong, placing Park Sung-han in the leadoff spot against nemesis Ko Young-pyo, noted, "Park Sung-han has a good on-base percentage. Choi Ji-hoon has been batting first since I took over but has been struggling a bit. Park Sung-han has had many pitches per plate appearance and walks, showing a high on-base percentage. The most ideal situation would be for Park Sung-han to bat first, but stamina is key. We need to discover a shortstop who can substitute for Park Sung-han to be a plus for both the team and him."
KT, on the road, submitted an order against SSG's starter Drew Anderson, including Hwang Jae-kyun (first baseman), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Ahn Hyun-min (right fielder), Mel Rojas Jr. (left fielder), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Lee Jeong-hoon (designated hitter), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Jang Jin-hyuk (center fielder), and Kwon Dong-jin (shortstop).
SSG grabbed the first run at the bottom of the first inning. Park Sung-han, who switched to the first spot in the batting order, hit a leadoff home run to seize the momentum. He connected on a high two-seam fastball (137 km) from Ko Young-pyo after a full count, achieving a 110-meter home run. This was his 5th home run of the season, coming about three weeks after the game against the Incheon KIA Tigers on June 21. It marked the 11th home run of the KBO League season, the 381st of his career, and his second leadoff home run.
SSG continued with Heredia and Ko Myung-jun getting hits, setting up a two-outs situation with runners on 1st and 3rd base, but Choi Ji-hoon was unable to score with a fly out to left field.
In the bottom of the second inning, Jung Joon-jae, who came in after one out, reached base due to an error on first baseman Heo Kyung-min's throw, then stole second base. Though Jo Hyung-woo struck out on a swing, Park Sung-han, the home run hero, hit a go-ahead RBI single to left field.
KT, who had been held to a walk against Anderson until the 4th, launched a counterattack in the 5th inning. Lead-off man Rojas walked, and Jang Sung-woo got a hit, creating a situation with no outs and runners on 1st and 2nd base. Although Lee Jeong-hoon struck out looking and Kim Sang-su grounded out to the shortstop, substitute hitter Kim Min-hyeok came through with a two-RBI single that tied the game. Though the runner at home, Jang Sung-woo, was initially called out, the decision was reversed as a result of a video review that ruled it safe.
KT continued its momentum with an infield hit by Heo Kyung-min and a left field hit by Ahn Hyun-min, creating a chance with runners on 1st and 2nd base with one out in the 6th inning. However, Rojas struck out on a swing at the third pitch, and Jang Sung-woo also struck out looking, ending the inning.
The pivotal moment came in the top of the 7th inning tied at 2-2. Lead-off hitter Lee Jeong-hoon faced the new pitcher Noh Kyung-eun and hit a double deep to the right. Then, Kim Sang-su grounded out to help advance Lee Jeong-hoon to third base, and Kim Min-hyeok also hit a ground ball to bring Lee Jeong-hoon home. Although second baseman Jung Joon-jae opted for home, Lee Jeong-hoon's slide was faster.
With Kim Min-hyeok replaced by pinch runner Bae Jeong-dae and subsequent hitter Kwon Dong-jin replaced by pinch hitter Oh Yun-seok, KT saw Bae Jeong-dae successfully steal second base, while Oh Yun-seok hit a one-RBI single to the left, sealing the deal.
In the final inning at the bottom of the 9th, SSG faced KT's closer Park Young-hyun with Choi Jun-woo walking, Park Sung-han getting a hit to right field, and Heredia walking, filling the bases with two outs, but Choi Jeong's well-hit ball was caught by a fielder just in front of the left field warning track. The game ended.
KT's starting pitcher Ko Young-pyo pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 hits (1 home run), 3 walks, and striking out 7 while giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 111 pitches to earn his 8th win of the season (4 losses). He was followed by Lee Sang-dong (⅔ inning, no runs), Woo Kyu-min (1⅓ innings, no runs), and Park Young-hyun (1 inning, no runs), with Park Young-hyun recording his 26th save of the season.
In the batting lineup, Kim Min-hyeok stood out as he recorded 1 hit and 3 RBIs in 2 at-bats as a pinch hitter.
SSG's starter Anderson managed 5 innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 7 while giving up 2 runs on 87 pitches, ending with no decision. The losing pitcher was Noh Kyung-eun, who lasted 1 inning, allowing 2 hits and 2 runs. Park Sung-han's home run contributed to his three hits but could not prevent the comeback loss.
KT and SSG will resume the second half of their schedule after the All-Star break, set to start on the 17th. KT will play a four-game series at home against Hanwha Eagles, while SSG will host Doosan Bears in a four-game weekend series.
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