“It’s important to keep the momentum going.”
Kiwoom lost 5-6 against the Lotte Giants in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on July 27. They gave up six runs in the top of the seventh inning, but rallied with five runs in the bottom of the ninth.
In the bottom of the ninth, with the bases loaded, Kim Dong-heon singled to center field. Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Hye-sung came home to start the rally. Eventually, Lotte pulled Yoon Myung-joon and brought up closer Kim Won-joong.
However, Kim Won-joong was shaky as well, walking Lee Hyung-jong on a pitch to load the bases. He then gave up a walk to Lim Ji-yeol. Kiwoom brought in pinch-hitter Lim Byung-wook to bat for Kim and he hit a two-run double to pull within one run, but Lee Jung-hoo grounded out in front of the pitcher to end Lotte’s 6-5 victory.
Manager Hong Won-ki met with reporters before the final game of the weekend three-game series against Lotte on Aug. 28 and said, “In the bottom of the ninth, they brought in their closer. The batters scored, and it will be important to continue that momentum (in today’s game),” he said.
“It was a bad hit by Kim Dong-heon, but he got the RBI. The youngest guy did it, and hopefully that’s a turning point.” “We’re in a bit of a slump right now. We’re not a team that scores runs with long balls. We are a team that keeps connecting and scoring runs in scoring position, and I think that will improve a lot.”메이저놀이터
Kiwoom’s lineup is Kim Jun-wan (designated hitter), Kim Hye-sung (second base), Lee Jung-hoo (center field), Edison Russell (shortstop), Lim Byung-wook (left field), Lee Won-seok (first base), Lee Ji-young (catcher), Kim Hui-jip (third base), and Lee Hyung-jong (right field). The starting pitcher is Chung Chan-heon.
This is the first time he’s pitched twice in a week this season. “He didn’t throw many pitches on Tuesday (against KT), but we’ll see how it goes,” said Hong Won-ki.