The Kiwoom Heroes, the only team among the 10 professional baseball clubs using two foreign batters, is considered a strong candidate for last place this year. Having finished 10th for two consecutive years, Kiwoom, in its final year of comprehensive rebuilding, did not make any significant enhancements during the winter.

Although their objective strength is classified as the lowest, the team is expected to cause a stir with its bold experimentation. While the other nine clubs have configured their foreign players with two pitchers and one batter, Kiwoom is uniquely preparing for the new season with one pitcher and two batters. Veteran batter Yasiel Puig (35) has returned after three years, and they have signed Ruben Cardenas (28), who was released due to injury by the Samsung Lions last year but showed batting talent. This bold experiment is possible because Kiwoom is undergoing rebuilding and always differentiates itself from other teams.

During practice games at the Taiwan spring camp, Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki is testing the two foreign batters in various batting orders such as 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4. Regardless of the batting order, he aims to pressure the opposing pitcher by placing the two batters side by side.

The effects were evident in the match against the CTBC Brothers held on the 1st at the Kaohsiung Dung Cheng Ho Baseball Stadium. On that day, Puig and Cardenas, placed in the 3-4 batting order, exploded with long hits, leading to a 6-2 victory for Kiwoom.

The starting pitcher for the Brothers that day was Eric Stout, a left-hander who played as a 'short-term part-timer' with the Kia Tigers last September. After joining Kia in September following an injury replacement for James Neale, who had undergone jaw surgery, Stout recorded 1 win and 1 loss with a 5.06 earned run average over four games (16 innings). Returning to Taiwan this year, Stout gave up three runs to the Kiwoom lineup starting from the first inning.

From the very start of the first inning, leadoff hitter Lee Ju-hyung walked, and Song Seung-moon hit a two-run homer into right field to take the lead. Then, Puig's high fly ball to left field was missed by the opposing left fielder, allowing him to position himself in scoring position at second base, where Cardenas responded with a double down the left-field line. This was a timely hit that brought home the runner Puig from second base. Cardenas has been raising his pace steadily with four hits in 12 at-bats, including hits in three consecutive games during this camp, along with two walks and one strikeout.

With no outs and runners on second base, Choi Joo-hwan hit a fly ball to left field, and Kim Keon-hee grounded out to third, leading Stout to allow a single to Kim Dong-yeop, bringing the situation to two outs with runners on first and third. Then, Jeon Tae-hyun's well-hit line drive headed straight to third base, ending the inning. Stout, who managed to complete the first inning with 30 pitches, wrapped up the second inning with a quick three up, three down. After two innings, he faced three hits, one walk, one strikeout, and allowed three runs.

Kiwoom scored additional points with a homer in the third inning. Puig, as the lead-off batter, connected with the second pitch from right-handed Lee Shin-in, sending the ball soaring over the left wall. This was Puig's first home run of this spring camp. Puig also showed a strong presence in defense during the fourth inning, making two sliding catches on potential hits.

After the game, Puig commented on the home run situation, saying, "There was good contact. I tried to target my strike zone, and I was able to do that well," and regarding the spectacular defensive plays in the fourth inning, he joked, "I ran fast and dove to catch the ball, so I’m a bit tired," before assuring, "I'm satisfied with the good defense. It's proof that I’m in good condition."

Puig also noted, "We are playing a lot of practice games against a good team in Taiwan. I will make sure to carry this good feeling into the exhibition games," and added, "I have become very close with my new teammates. In particular, I have gotten close with Kim Keon-hee, who is really a nice person. I remember the first time I saw him during my rookie year in 2022. I joked with Kim Keon-hee during the first player introduction that rookies should 'head butt.' Spending time together during this Taiwan camp has helped us create many good memories."

With the two foreign batters performing well, Kiwoom won the game 6-2. Following starting rookie Yoon Hyun (2 innings, 2 hits allowed, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 1 earned run), Kim Yeon-joo (2 innings, 1 hit allowed, no earned runs), Kim Sun-gi (1 inning, 1 hit allowed, 1 earned run), Kim Joo-hoon (1 inning, 1 hit allowed, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, no earned runs), Kim Sung-min (1 inning, 2 hits allowed, 1 strikeout, no earned runs), Won Jong-hyun (1 inning, 2 hits allowed, 1 strikeout, no earned runs), and Joo Seung-woo (1 inning, 1 hit allowed, no earned runs) all pitched reliably.

After going 2 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie in six games at the Taiwan camp, Kiwoom will have its seventh practice game against the Brothers at the same location on the 2nd.

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