Mun Bo-kyung of the professional baseball LG Twins hit the first home run of the 2025 season.
LG played the opening game of the 2025 KBO League against Lotte at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 22nd. The starting pitchers for both teams were announced on media day on the 20th. LG's pitcher is Yoni Chirinos, and Lotte's pitcher is Charlie Barnes.
LG's starting lineup included Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (left fielder), Austin (first baseman), Mun Bo-kyung (third baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Song Chan-eui (designated hitter), Park Dong-won (catcher), Park Hae-min (center fielder), and Koo Bon-hyuk (second baseman).
In the bottom of the first inning, Hong Chang-ki was out on a ground ball to second base. Kim Hyun-soo hit a double down the left field line, and Austin followed with a double down the right field line, easily scoring the first run. Austin recorded the first RBI of the 2025 season.
Next, Mun Bo-kyung hit a two-run home run over the right field wall on the third pitch, a 128 km slider from Lotte's starter Barnes, with a count of 1 ball and 1 strike. It was the first home run of the season. The moment the ball was hit, it was obvious it was a home run. The exit velocity was 169.8 km/h, and the launch angle was 25.7 degrees, producing a BARREL hit. The distance was 128.2 m.
LG has had good results against Barnes. Since joining Lotte in 2022, Barnes has a career record against LG of 2 wins and 5 losses over 9 games, with an earned run average of 4.94. He has not won a game against LG in the last two years. In 2023, he had 3 losses and no wins over 4 games against LG, with an earned run average of 7.64, struggling in those outings. Last year, he made one appearance against LG, pitching 6⅓ innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 home runs, issuing 3 walks, striking out 5, and allowing 3 earned runs, but did not receive a decision.
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