The Lotte Giants suffered a complete defeat in the opening game of the professional baseball season. The ace was hit hard from the first inning and was early substituted after three innings. The defense allowed runs due to consecutive errors.

Lotte lost 2-12 against the LG Twins in the opening game of the 2025 KBO League held at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium on the 22nd.

Starting pitcher Charlie Barnes struggled, throwing 81 pitches over three innings, allowing 8 hits, 1 home run, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts, and 7 earned runs. He failed to effectively contain the left-handed hitters of LG. He was rather hit hard in the left-handed pitcher vs. left-handed batter matchups, allowing 7 hits to left-handed batters. The 7 earned runs were a personal high for Barnes in games against LG.

In the first inning, after one out, Barnes allowed a double to left field from Hyun-soo Kim and a right field double from Austin, conceding the first run. Subsequently, with a 2-strike advantageous count against Bo-kyung Moon, he allowed a two-run home run as the slider on the third pitch came in high and down the middle. The sequence of three consecutive sliders was also a disappointing moment.

The second inning was also worrisome. He allowed an infield single to Haemin Park, and after a sacrifice bunt, it became one out with runners on first and second. A hit by pitch for Chang-ki Hong loaded the bases. He escaped the crisis after getting Hyun-soo Kim grounded to second and Austin to fly out to center.

However, in the third inning, he again allowed a large number of runs. He gave up a single to left to Bo-kyung Moon and an unexpected bunt hit to third to Ji-hwan Oh, and with a sacrifice bunt, it became one out with runners on second and third. He walked Dong-won Park, resulting in a bases-loaded crisis with one out.

He struck out Haemin Park, but allowed the fourth run with a bases-loaded walk to Guhwan-hyuk. A wild pitch during Hong Chang-ki's at-bat allowed another run. With two outs and runners on second and third, he gave up a two-run double to Hong Chang-ki, increasing the runs allowed to 7. Ultimately, he threw over 80 pitches and could not take the mound in the fourth inning. After the ace’s large number of runs allowed and early substitution, the momentum shifted early to LG.

Lotte cut the deficit by 2 runs in the top of the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Ho-young Son delivered a two-RBI single to left. However, it was regrettable that Seung-wook Park struck out and Sung-bin Hwang flew out to the catcher with the continued one out and bases loaded.

Lotte self-destructed with a fatal error while trying to rally. After trailing 2-7, Kyung-hyun Kim took the mound as the second pitcher in the bottom of the fourth. After one out, Bo-kyung Moon reached base due to a first baseman error. First baseman Seung-yeop Na failed to field a ground ball right at him, allowing the ball to get past him.

The catcher, Gang-nam Yoo, who also made an error on a throw to second in the first inning, sent the runner to second for free with a fastball during Ji-hwan Oh's at-bat. Kyung-hyun Kim allowed a one-RBI double to Chan Song with two outs and a runner on second. This was an unearned run.

Lotte's infield was shaky in the fifth inning as well. After one out, Guhwan-hyeok reached base on a walk. The pitcher was replaced from right-handed Kyung-hyun Kim to left-handed Jae-young Song. Jae-young Song then walked Chang-ki Hong. With one out and runners on first and second, second baseman Seung-min Ko, who fielded a ground ball from Hyun-soo Kim, tossed the ball to shortstop Seung-wook Park, which turned into an errant throw that sailed over his head. As the ball slipped into the outfield, the runner on second rounded third and scored. If the throw had been accurate, it could have ended the inning with a double play.

After trailing 0-7, the score narrowed to 2-7 but increased to 2-9 due to the consecutive errors. Lotte's batting line could not catch up any further, managing only 2 hits after the sixth inning, leading to a complete defeat.

Lotte has not advanced to fall baseball for the last seven years. They have not finished above seventh place either. Few experts consider Lotte a contender for the top five this year.

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