The first hit of the pinch-hitting operation → Two veterans playing their roles in the 9th inning with two outs...In the second year, 16 consecutive wins have come to nothing.

Aug 02, 2025

The first hit of the pinch-hitting operation → Two veterans playing their roles in the 9th inning with two outs...In the second year, 16 consecutive wins have come to nothing.
photo courtesy of Lotte Giants



The first hit of the pinch-hitting operation → Two veterans playing their roles in the 9th inning with two outs...In the second year, 16 consecutive wins have come to nothing.
photo courtesy of Lotte Giants
One last out count. Lotte Giants completed a thrilling stand-in.

Lotte won the away game against the Kiwoom Heroes 3-2 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 2nd. Lotte, which gave up the game the previous day, secured its 56th win (three draws and 44 losses) of the season and maintained its third place position. Kiwoom at the bottom has 29 wins, 4 draws, and 70 losses.

On this day, Lotte formed the starting lineup in the order of Jang Doo-sung (middle fielder), Ko Seung-min (striker), Son Ho-young (third baseman), Victor Reyes (left fielder), Yoon Dong-hee (designated hitter), Yoo Kang-nam (catcher), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Han Tae-yang (second baseman), and Park Seung-wook (striker).




Ki Joo-eun Song Sung-moon (third baseman), Lim Ji-yeol (left fielder), Choi Joo-hwan (first baseman), Ruben Cadines (right fielder), Lee Ju-hyung (middle fielder), Kim Gun-hee (possession), Kim Tae-jin (second baseman), Kwon Hyuk-bin (striker) and Yeom Seung-won (designated hitter) were selected as starters.

Kiwoom's starting pitcher is Kim Yoon-ha. He has lost 11 games without winning in 15 games this season. Since winning against the Doosan Bears on July 25 last year, he has lost 16 consecutive games.

The first hit of the pinch-hitting operation → Two veterans playing their roles in the 9th inning with two outs...In the second year, 16 consecutive wins have come to nothing.
photo courtesy of Lotte Giants
Lotte starter Na Kyun-an also had no connection with victory. Na Kyun-an, who has 2-6 losses and an ERA of 4.27 in 21 games this season, has been winless in five consecutive games since his victory over Hanwha on June 19 before the game.




Neither pitcher won the game. Na Kyun-an went down the mound in the bottom of the sixth inning, when he was losing 1-2, and Kim Yun-ha went down from the first base with no outs in the top of the sixth inning, when he was taking a 2-0 lead, but the victory failed once again due to the bullpen's turmoil.

The first run came from Kiwoom. Two outs later, Choi Joo-hwan and Cardinez took a 2-0 lead with hits and Lee Ju-hyung's two-run double.

While he remained scoreless until the fifth inning, leadoff hitter Han Tae-yang hit a hit in the top of the sixth inning. Kiwoom lowered Kim Yoon-ha and raised Park Yoon-sung, but Park Seung-wook's timely double followed one point. Jang Doo-sung's walk seemed to raise the atmosphere, but Kiwoom Cho Young-gun put out the fire. Ko Seung-min and Son Ho-young were all caught with fly balls in left field, and Reyes also turned to a ground ball to the first base.




The first hit of the pinch-hitting operation → Two veterans playing their roles in the 9th inning with two outs...In the second year, 16 consecutive wins have come to nothing.
photo courtesy of Lotte Giants
a point difference. Kiwoom posted closer Joo Seung-woo. While leadoff hitter Ko Seung-min went out with a hit ball, Son Ho-young's sacrifice bunt made it one out and second base. Reyes turned to catcher foul fly, but Yoon Dong-hee drew a walk, reviving the chase.

Lotte also showed a winning move. Jeon Jun-woo, who was excluded from the starting lineup due to discomfort in his hamstring, took the batter's box. Jeon Jun-woo hit a heavy hit after 10 pitches, and the runner on second base eventually hit home.

Chances for the first and third base continued. As pinch hitter Kim Min-sung hit a timely hit, Lotte succeeded in turning the tables 3-2.

Lotte posted closer Kim Won-joong, and Eo Jun-seo had a walk after two outs, but it ended the game by catching Joo Sung-won with a ground ball to shortstop.

The first hit of the pinch-hitting operation → Two veterans playing their roles in the 9th inning with two outs...In the second year, 16 consecutive wins have come to nothing.
photo courtesy of Lotte Giants
After the game, Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung said "Starting pitcher Na Kyun-an threw well from the beginning, creating a good flow for the entire team. I'm sorry that I couldn't take care of Gyun An's victory"After the middle, the winning pitchers played their part. The fielders also showed good defense and attack without losing their concentration until the end" he said.

He also applauded the veteran who succeeded in the pinch-hitting operation in the top of the ninth inning. Coach Kim said, `Two veterans, Jeon Joon-woo and Kim Min-sung, played their roles in the match and were able to bring victory" he said.

Coach Kim said, `I sincerely thank the fans for their passionate support by visiting the away stadium in the Seoul metropolitan area even in the hot weather.'

Lotte announced Park Se-woong as its starting pitcher on the 3rd. Kiwoom will have Jeong Se-young.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.