LG Twins' Chun Seong-ho contributed to a four-game winning streak by delivering a decisive home run along with a torrid .400 start to the season.
Chun Seong-ho started in the No. 5 spot at third base in the game against NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park on the 8th. It was the first time Chun, who was traded from KT Wiz to LG at the end of June last year, started as the No. 5 hitter. With a hot bat early in the season hitting .421 (19 at-bats, 8 hits), he was moved up to the No. 5 spot.
In his first at-bat in the second inning, he created a scoring chance with a double off the left-field fence against 'LG killer' Shin Min-hyeok. Later, with runners at first and third and one out, the chance ended when the following batters grounded out. In the fourth inning with no outs and a runner on first, he hit a grounder to first that resulted in a reverse double play.
Down 0-2 in the sixth inning, leadoff hitter Austin drew a walk off NC's second pitcher Im Ji-min to reach base. Moon Bo-gyeong flied out to left field. With one out and a runner on first, Chun Seong-ho came to the plate with an initial strike and a swinging strike on the second pitch, falling behind in an unfavorable 0-2 count. On the third pitch, he hit a forkball (138 km) and launched a game-tying two-run homer over the right-field fence. It was his first homer of the season. He did not miss the mistake of a forkball left over the middle and drove it well.
After the game, Chun Seong-ho said about the home run situation, "The opposing pitcher's pitches were good, so I thought I should give Ji-hwan hyung, who was up next, a good chance and approached the plate with that in mind. Before I went up, I asked Ji-hwan hyung what the opposing pitcher's forkball was like, and thanks to his advice to aim for a high forkball with a fastball timing, it seems it led to the good result of a home run."
Chun Seong-ho has not been known for home runs. Selected by KT in the second round, 12th pick of the second phase of the 2020 rookie draft, Chun had only one home run while with KT.
After being traded from KT to LG last year, he recorded his second career home run in the Aug. 1 game against Samsung. And he tasted a home run again after 250 days. He has three home runs in 274 career games and 605 plate appearances.
Chun Seong-ho went 2-for-4 with one homer and two RBIs in the game, leaving his season line at .435 (23 at-bats, 10 hits) with one home run, three RBIs, four runs and an OPS of 1.215. With Moon Bo-gyeong serving as designated hitter due to lingering minor injuries, Chun has been appearing at third base or as a pinch hitter. He is short four plate appearances from the qualifying total, yet ranks among the top three in batting average.
The day before, Gu Bon-hyeok said, "Not only me but Seong-ho is contributing as a utility within the team. I felt we shouldn't be down, so I've been cheering with Seong-ho, and it seems to create more synergy."
Chun Seong-ho said, "I rely a lot on Bon-hyeok hyung in practice and games. I get a lot of help from Bon-hyeok hyung on infield defense. We tell each other to do well together and focus on winning the game no matter what. We talk about enjoying baseball together, and I think we play when each of us is in better condition."
Chun Seong-ho said, "Every player would like to settle into one position and do well, but the manager and coaches instill confidence by telling me, 'you can do it.' I'm grateful to the manager and coaches who give me the courage that I can do it. I approach games with the mindset of doing my best to repay that trust."
Chun Seong-ho expressed his gratitude, saying, "Even today, like yesterday, many fans cheered for us in the still chilly weather. The long road trips ahead will be hard, but I will do my best so many fans will continue to come to see us."
[OSEN]