SSG Landers manager Lee Sung-yong revealed the reason he assigned closer Jo Byeong-hyun (23) to pitch multiple innings in extra innings.

On the 26th, Lee conducted an interview before the game against the Lotte Giants at SSG Landers Field in Incheon, saying, "Ultimately, it's a matter of results. If we lost, it’s the manager's fault," expressing regret over the defeat in the last game.

SSG, which had a two-game winning streak to open the season, lost 2-3 against Lotte after a close contest that went to the 11th inning of extra innings on the 25th. Despite being behind in the opening game, manager Lee had deployed all his best pitchers to achieve a comeback victory, and he used all of his best pitchers again in the last game, assigning closer Jo Byeong-hyun to pitch multiple innings in extra innings, but ultimately lost the game.

"The players did their best yesterday," manager Lee said, adding, "It's not easy to win with only four hits. Still, I want to commend the relief pitchers who did well until the end and starter Moon Seung-won. I hope that Song Young-jin and Jung Dong-yoon learned how to manage speed changes and pitch breaking balls well."

Jo Byeong-hyun recorded 1⅓ innings with 2 hits allowed, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, and 1 earned run. He appeared in the 10th inning, with the score tied 2-2, and pitched without allowing any runs, but after already recording 20 pitches, he returned to the mound in the 11th inning and allowed runs due to a fielding error.

Manager Lee explained Jo Byeong-hyun's appearance in the 11th inning, stating, "I had concerns, but I thought I could let Byeong-hyun pitch up to 30-35 pitches, so I brought him back in the 11th. After that, it was mostly up to Seo Jin-yong and Choi Min-jun, so I thought it was right to go for the win, and I used him boldly. After watching the highlight video later, I noticed that the hitters were doing well. I think that it was unavoidable when they hit that well." He added, "Byeong-hyun will take a complete rest today. Han Du-sol will also rest as he has discomfort in his thigh."

The SSG batting lineup continued to show a somewhat frustrating offensive flow in the last game. However, the first home runs of the season from Ha Jae-hoon and Guillermo Heredia are encouraging. Manager Lee noted, "In a trailing situation, Ha Jae-hoon's game-tying home run came, and in the 9th, Heredia dramatically tied the game with another home run. The momentum was with us, and I thought we would get a chance. We did have a chance in the 11th, but we couldn't capitalize on it. I don't have many regrets about a game lost like yesterday, as we did our best."

The KBO League has reduced the extra innings this season from 12 to 11. Manager Lee explained, "I was able to use Byeong-hyun more because we don't have to think about the 12th inning. I think it would have been regrettable if we had lost without using Jo Byeong-hyun. It’s really easier to manage pitchers, considering it only goes to the 11th compared to the 12th," adding, "It could be a variable going forward. I believe that teams with strong closers capable of pitching multiple innings have an advantage."

SSG, aiming to avenge their loss to Lotte, set their starting lineup for the day with Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Jung Joon-jae (second baseman), Oh Tae-gon (first baseman), Guillermo Heredia (left fielder), Ha Jae-hoon (right fielder), Park Sung-han (shortstop), Lee Ji-young (catcher), Go Myung-jun (designated hitter), and Park Ji-hwan (third baseman). The starting pitcher is Song Young-jin.

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