A 4-hour and 52-minute bloodbath, the match, where both teams fought fiercely, became a drama worthy of being remembered as the 'Battle of 406.' The player who capped it off was Doosan Bears' cleanup hitter Yang Seok-hwan (34).
Yang Seok-hwan led his team to a dramatic comeback victory of 15-12, wielding a fierce bat with 2 hits (1 home run) and 5 RBIs from 4 at-bats as the cleanup hitter and first baseman in the away game against the Lotte Giants on July 6.
The most decisive moment came in the top of the 8th inning, with a 12-12 tie, when there were 2 outs and a runner on first base. Yang Seok-hwan launched a sharp two-run home run against the Lotte mound, breaking the tie. As the ball cleared the outfield fence, Yang Seok-hwan delivered an assured "bat flip," thrilling Doosan fans and presenting a bittersweet moment for the packed Lotte fans.
This home run carried significance beyond just being the winning hit. Thanks to the dramatic turnaround in today's game, the 19-year-old rookie pitcher from Doosan, who was seeking his first professional win, was able to receive the valuable gift of his first victory.
Meanwhile, there was also intense controversy during the game. In the bottom of the 5th inning, a video review was conducted over a potential violation of home collision rules. Doosan's manager Lee Seung-yeop, dissatisfied with the decision, strongly protested to the umpires and was eventually ejected. Despite the manager's ejection, Doosan maintained their focus until the end and completed the dramatic match.
The 'Battle of 406' wrapped up with Yang Seok-hwan's hit. It is expected to remain one of the best matches of the season.
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