Last place in ERA → 1st place in reverse defeat...I can't beat the starting QS because I'm nervous about finishing the national team

Mar 30, 2025

Last place in ERA → 1st place in reverse defeat...I can't beat the starting QS because I'm nervous about finishing the national team
The KIA-Hanwha match held at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 29th. Cho Sang-woo is being replaced at the second and third bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Daejeon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.3.29/



A series of upset losses. 'Defending champion' The KIA Tigers are having a tough early season.

KIA lost 4-5 against Hanwha Eagles at Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon on the 29th.

The initial atmosphere was in KIA. Choi Hyung-woo and Patrick Wisdom led by three runs in the top of the first inning with consecutive batter home runs.




Although he gained the atmosphere by scoring an additional point in the third inning, he again moved to a point-by-point atmosphere with starter Yang Hyun-jong's three runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Yang Hyun-jong succeeded in pitching quality start (more than six innings and less than three earned runs) with three runs (one earned run) in six innings.

KIA started the bullpen in earnest to protect its one-run lead. At the bottom of the seventh inning, Choi Ji-min came up. He caught leadoff hitter Hwang Young-mook with a pitcher ground ball and allowed a walk to Kim Tae-yeon, but Esteban Floral's walk made it a situation with two outs and second base.




Choi Ji-min was replaced by Jo Sang-woo. Cho Sang-woo is a player that KIA ambitiously recruited to strengthen its bullpen ahead of this season. Jang Hyun-sik, who played 75 ⅓ innings and recorded 16 holds, acquired Cho Sang-woo in a trade with Kiwoom to strengthen the bullpen as he became a FA and moved to LG.

Last place in ERA → 1st place in reverse defeat...I can't beat the starting QS because I'm nervous about finishing the national team
The KIA-Hanwha match held at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 29th. Jo Sang-woo and Han Jun-su, who took the mound in the bottom of the eighth inning, are talking. Daejeon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.3.29/
KIA sent Kiwoom 1 billion won in cash and the first and fourth round rookie nomination rights in 2026 to get Cho Sang-woo, who has experience in 'finishing the national team'.

Cho Sang-woo ended the seventh inning by catching Noh Si-hwan with a ground ball to shortstop.




Jo Sang-woo also came up in the eighth inning. For KIA, the `nightmare time' has begun. Chae Eun-sung received a hit, and pinch hitter Moon Hyun-bin also allowed a hit. With the foil overlapping, runners on the second and third bases with no outs. Lee Do-yoon's ground ball caught the third baseman at home, taking a breather. With one out and runners on the second and third bases, Hanwha hit Ahn Chi-hong as a pinch hitter, and KIA raised Hwang Dong-ha. An Chi-hong hit Hwang Dong-ha's fastball in one strike, and the ball became a hit in front of left field. Both runners homered, and KIA allowed a 4-5 turnaround. In the end, KIA, which failed to score a point in the top of the ninth inning, gave up the game as it was.

Kia also suffered a shock upset loss in the game on the 28th. Starting pitcher James Nail pitched six scoreless innings to create a 2-0 lead, but the bullpen fell into a collective turmoil in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Last place in ERA → 1st place in reverse defeat...I can't beat the starting QS because I'm nervous about finishing the national team
The KIA-Hanwha match at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 28th. Jeon Sang-hyun, who allowed a solo shot to Kim Tae-yeon with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, is bending his head. Daejeon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.3.28/
Jeon Sang-hyun allowed consecutive walks after hitting a solo home run with two outs. Kwak Do-gyu, who followed, also allowed consecutive walks, and eventually allowed a reversal as he continued to hit the body. Lee Joon-young came up, but in the end, Floral's two-run double perfectly moved the mood to Hanwha. KIA lost 2-7 in the eighth inning due to Lee Hyung-beom's additional run.

KIA has the highest number among the 10 clubs, losing four games from behind in seven games since the opening. Reliever's ERA is the lowest at 9.00.

Starting pitchers have made quality starts in three consecutive games since the 27th, but the swamp of consecutive losses has deepened. In the match against Kiwoom on the 27th, closer Jung Hae-young became a losing pitcher with two hits, two walks, two strikeouts, and three runs in one inning.

Last place in ERA → 1st place in reverse defeat...I can't beat the starting QS because I'm nervous about finishing the national team
KIA manager Lee Bum-ho, who allowed a turnaround in the KIA-Hanwha match at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 28th, is regretful. Daejeon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.3.28/
KIA manager Lee Bum-ho said ahead of the game on the 29th, `It is difficult to find one cause that he is shaken by the bullpen story. It depends on the condition of the day. The players themselves prepared very well and thought they were in good condition. When I saw exhibition games, the speed and stuff came out as much as I wanted"Now it might be the mental part. It's still early, so I think it'll get better gradually"Now, the bullpen resources are also set for players who play in the seventh to ninth innings. There are minor changes in front of those players, but the bullpen can be good or bad for a season. They are players who should continue to be used when they are good. I think you need to do a good job when it comes to psychology" he said.

Coach Lee continued, `I don't know if I'm in bad shape right now, but there are 138 games left, so there are many more games that the players can play.' However, the continued bullpen turmoil deepened Lee's worries.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.