Will anyone hear a masterpiece...I changed the defense because I liked it, and it hit right away? I can't believe it

Aug 03, 2025

Lotte coach Kim Tae-hyung. Photo courtesy = Lotte Giants

"Since (Kim) Donghyuk is better at defense...."

Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 2nd when Lotte Giants and Kiwoom Heroes faced off.

Lotte entered the bottom of the eighth inning with a 1-2 lead. Choi Jun-yong, who came up with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, came up to the mound. With leadoff hitter Choi Joo-hwan striking out, he played against Ruben Cardinez.

Choi Jun-yong's slider in 1B1S became a foul fly.

The Lotte bench moved. He changed right fielder Ko Seung-min to first baseman, and replaced Na Seung-yeop, who was at first base, with Kim Dong-hyuk. Kim Dong-hyuk moved to the right field position where Ko Seung-min was.

The match between Choi Jun-yong and Cardinez again. Cardinez pushed Choi Jun-yong's outside fastball. Coincidentally, the ball extended to right field and right field.

Kim Dong-hyuk sprinted, and eventually caught the ball. A fastball that could have been caught as Kim Dong-hyuk. It was a good defense that erased a long shot in the game by one point.

Lotte Kim Dong-hyuk catches a ball by Cardinez in the bottom of the eighth inning. Photo courtesy = Lotte Giants

After the game, Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung said "I think (Kim) Dong-hyuk replaced him because he defended well.' I laughed at the story of `Did you think the batting was going to go?'`That's why I replaced it.'

Manager Kim's 'Chok', which led him to the Korean Series (2015-2021) for seven consecutive years when he was the head coach of Doosan, hit the mark.

Coach Kim's sense of play did not stop at 'defense'. In the top of the ninth inning, Lotte got on base with a ball hit by leadoff hitter Ko Seung-min. Ko Seung-min was replaced by opponent Hwang Sung-bin. Son Ho-young's sacrifice bunt then gave him one out and second base. The atmosphere seemed to cool down as Victor Reyes turned to catcher foul fly, but Yoon Dong-hee's walk created a chance for first and second base. Yoon Dong-hee replaces Lee Ho-joon.

Jeon Jun-woo's pinch-hitting card was issued at Yoo Kang-nam's at-bat. Jeon Jun-woo was excluded from the starting lineup because he felt uncomfortable with his hamstring.

Jeon Jun-woo played with Kiwoom closer Joo Seung-woo to the 10th pitch. He played a concentrated game, making five fouls in a row. He then hit a fastball for the 10th pitch, and a clean hit to the middle field was made. Hwang Sung-bin, who was at second base, stepped home and tied the game 2-2.

photo courtesy of Lotte Giants

1st and 3rd base with 2 outs. Lotte once again took out the substitute card. Kim Min-sung was put in at-bat in Kim Dong-hyuk. Kim Min-sung hit the third pitch on the ball count, which was disadvantageous to 2S, and fell behind the first baseman. Lee Ho-joon, who was on third base, came in and succeeded in turning the tables 3-2. Both of the pinch-hitter cards fit.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, closer Kim Won-joong caught three out-counts without losing a point, and Lotte took the game 3-2.

Coach Kim praised the two veterans for performing the substitute operation perfectly. Coach Kim said, `Two veterans, Jeon Joon-woo and Kim Min-sung, played their roles in the match and were able to bring victory"We applauded.