Left-hander Lee Seung-min prevented a pitching disaster for the Samsung Lions.
On the 18th, foreign starter Zack O'Roclin, who started against the LG Twins in Daegu, threw a fastball on his third pitch to Oh Ji-hwan in the top of the fourth with one out and no runners in a 0-0 game that grazed the batter's helmet. Under KBO League rules, a head shot requires immediate ejection.
However, the four umpires gathered to discuss the call and the game was temporarily halted. In the process, LG manager Youm Kyoung-youb stormed out of the dugout and protested vehemently. It was a complaint that immediate ejection had not been enforced.
In the unexpected situation, Lee Seung-min was brought in urgently in place of O'Roclin. Still not fully warmed up, he gave up a single to left to the first batter, Chun Seong-ho, putting himself in a jam with runners on first and second and one out, but he induced a ground ball by Hong Chang-ki that resulted in a double play to end the inning.
"After crisis comes opportunity, after opportunity comes crisis," as they say. In the bottom of the fourth, Samsung seized the initiative with a two-run knock by Lewin Diaz that scored from a no-out, runners on first and second situation created by an infield hit by Lee Jay-hyun and a double by Choi Hyung-woo. Soon after, Ryu Ji-hyuk's hit increased the number of runners to two. Jeon Byung-woo hit a three-run homer to right center, stretching the lead to 5-0.
Lee Seung-min allowed a double to left-center to the leadoff batter Park Dong-won in the fifth, then induced Shin Min-jae into an infield grounder. He then gave up a center single to Park Hae-min, creating a 1-3 bases-loaded, one-out threat. Lee struck out Moon Sung-ju swinging and handed the mound to left-hander Bae Chan-seung. Bae induced Austin Dean into an infield grounder for the first batter to end the inning.
Samsung defeated LG 7-2 to extend their winning streak to seven since their April 10 win over the NC Dinos in Daegu. Lee Seung-min, who recorded his first win of the season, said, "I didn't realize I hit him; it was chaotic so I hurriedly loosened my arm. I think I got up without thinking."
He added, "Honestly, I was lucky. I thought I saw the ball slightly and tried to field it, and luckily it went into the glove so we were able to turn the double play."
After handing the baton to Bae Chan-seung in the fifth with a 1-3 scoring threat and one out, he said, "When I was coming out, Chan-seung was coming up so I believed he would stop it well. Thanks to Chan-seung I think I was able to become the winning pitcher."
He continued, "I'm glad I could contribute to the team's win even a little. Chan-seung covered my runner, Seung-hyun hyung covered Chan-seung's runner, and our bullpen is a great support for each other. I'll work harder to keep this good atmosphere going."
Meanwhile, manager Park Jin-man said, "There was a variable early in the game, but the bullpen did a good job of holding it. O'Roclin came out early because of the head shot, but his stuff was good. I hope he continues to pitch like he did today."
He also applauded, "The lineup completely took control as Diaz's timely hit and Jeon Byung-woo's three-run homer came through. Jeon Byung-woo's recent contributions have been remarkable and encouraging. We won today because of him as well."
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