Lotte Giants lose opening game 2-12 and arrive late for practice at Jamsil Stadium

The Lotte Giants suffered a crushing defeat in their opening game.

Lotte lost 2-12 to the LG Twins in the opening game of the Korea Professional Baseball League held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 22nd. Lotte has suffered three consecutive opening game losses in recent years.

Although it is just one game out of 144, the performance was not good. Starting pitcher Charlie Barnes struggled, allowing 8 hits (including 1 home run), 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts, and 7 earned runs in 3 innings, leading to his early exit. The defense also collapsed, committing 3 errors along with passed balls and wild pitches.

One consolation was that Sohn Ho-young, who had struggled with a batting average of .091 in spring training, hit a 2-RBI single with the bases loaded and showed signs of regaining his hitting form with 2 hits in 4 at-bats.

On the 23rd, the second game of the season between Lotte and LG is held at Jamsil Stadium. Lotte players appeared later than usual to prepare for the game. During the home team's final batting practice, the visiting team's players warmed up in the outfield. When the home team batters hit the ball into the outfield, shouts of 'Ball~ Ball' were heard to prevent injuries. That day, while the LG batters were having their final batting practice, the outfield at Jamsil Stadium was empty. Lotte players had delayed their arrival time.

In the KBO League, the home team's manager holds a press interview 2 and a half hours before the game starts. At this time, the visiting team players begin their batting practice. However, Lotte players did not even appear at the baseball field after LG manager Yeom Kyung-yup's interview that day. Although LG players finished their training a little late, the field was empty.

Lotte players began to appear on the field one by one after 11:50 a.m. They gathered in the outfield for a meeting at noon and then proceeded with their warm-up. This marked two consecutive day games. Considering the players' fatigue, the training time was delayed by more than 30 minutes compared to usual.

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