“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 27 July. 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 hit a three-pitch walk. Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Hye-sung followed with singles to start the rally. Eventually, Lotte pulled Yoon Myung-joon and brought up closer Kim Won-joong.

However, Kim Won-joong was also shaky, as he walked Lee Hyung-jong on a pitch to load the bases. He then gave up a single 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 win.

Manager Hong Won-ki met with the media before the final game of the weekend three-game series against Lotte on the 28th and said, “In the bottom of the ninth, they brought in their closer. The batters scored, and I think it will be important for us to continue that momentum (in today’s game).”

“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.”

Kiwoom’s lineup is Kim Jun-wan (designated hitter), Kim Hye-sung (second base), Lee Jung-hoo (centre fielder), Edison Russell (shortstop), Lim Byung-wook (left fielder), Lee Won-seok (first base), Lee Ji-young (catcher), Kim Hwijip (third base) and Lee Hyung-jong (right fielder). The starting pitcher is Chung Chan-heon.메이저놀이터

This is the first time he has 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.