There is a rookie who makes KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul smile. That rookie is strong in "chances."
KT beat the KIA Tigers 8-3 in a home game at Suwon KT Wiz Park in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League on the 22nd. Leading 2-0 through the fifth inning, they gave up a solo homer to Dale in the sixth and saw their bullpen wobble in the top of the seventh, allowing a 2-3 comeback. But KT had the "closer" needed for the win.
After achieving a two-game winning streak, Lee Kang-chul praised, "After allowing the comeback, the hitters showed good focus in the chances. Starting with Han Seung-taek's game-tying RBI, Lee Kang-min's two-run go-ahead RBI and added RBIs from Choi Won-joon and Kim Min-hyeok produced a big inning that allowed us to win."
They scored one run in the second and one in the third against James Neal, who had been particularly strong against KT, and starter Matt Sauer pitched well. But Sauer gave up a solo homer to Dale in the top of the sixth, and in the top of the seventh, with Sauer issuing a walk with one out and no runners on, the bullpen was called in, and the situation worsened.
Jeon Yong-ju and Son Dong-hyun faltered and allowed a 2-3 lead to be surrendered. Their control was off. The momentum seemed to shift to KIA. But KT immediately turned the game around. In the bottom of the seventh, Kim Hyun-soo's infield hit and Jang Sung-woo's walk put runners at first and second with no outs. Hilliard hit a grounder toward first that was fielded but resulted in runners at second and third with one out. After Kim Sang-su was retired on a pop to shortstop, Oh Yun-seok was issued an automatic intentional walk, loading the bases.
Han Seung-taek hit an infield single, and while KIA third baseman Kim Do-young failed to field the ball, the runner at third, Kim Hyun, crossed home. The score was 3-3. In the ensuing bases-loaded chance, Lee Kang-min delivered a two-run go-ahead RBI single off KIA fireballer Jo Sang-woo. With Lee Kang-min's hit, every starting batter for KT recorded a hit. It was his seventh of the season (KT's third) and the 1,160th time in history that every starter recorded a hit. As of the 23rd, KT was the only team this season to record starters-all-hit in multiple games.
In the fourth, with one out and runners at second, Lee Kang-min was retired on a grounder to second, and in the sixth, with one out and a runner at first, he struck out. But in the tightly contested seventh, he became the hero with the go-ahead hit. The player of the game interview also went to Lee Kang-min.
In fact, praise for Lee Kang-min came from the dugout even before the game. The topic was "rookie Lee Kang-min is stronger in chances." In the game on the 21st, Lee Kang-min also delivered an RBI in the second inning. In the fourth, he hit a single to right with one out. He showed particular strength when there were runners on base. For two consecutive days, when there were runners on base, he displayed even greater concentration.
As of the 22nd, Lee Kang-min's batting average was only .121 when there were no runners on. But with a runner on first, his average was .400, and with a runner on second it was .375. With runners on first and second, his average was an astounding .667.
With runners on base he is hitting .400, and with runners in scoring position he is hitting .400. A rookie batting .265 for the season is showing a stronger side in chances.
Observing this, manager Lee Kang-chul said in amazement, "He is a player with a knack for hitting. I think he can do even better. He originally has a natural swing, but these days, seeing how opponents try to attack him, he seems to be timing his swings more deliberately."
The manager's praise continued. He emphasized, "Hitting becomes difficult when you think too much. You have to go up there relaxed to get good results. In that respect, Lee Kang-min shows no change in expression and calmly swings his own way. Even in the dugout we know his bat is in good form. He looks well prepared even for pinch-hitting moments. That shows his current hitting condition is good."
They recalled Kim Ha-seong (Atlanta Braves), who recorded a .306 batting average, 30 homers and 109 RBIs in the KBO League before moving to the major leagues.
The manager said, "Kim Ha-seong came to mind. Of course the two players' personalities are different. Ha-seong tends to come in confidently even after a mistake, while Kang-min is somewhat introverted. He tries to change a lot, but it's not easy. But his play is different. Lee Kang-min also runs into plays on defense. We need to manage his stamina, and it would be a shame to take him out. So we'll try to rest him by removing him for one to two innings occasionally to manage him."
After the victory on the 22nd, meeting reporters as the game's most valuable player, Lee Kang-min said, "Chances just kept coming. I failed to capitalize on the two earlier plate appearances, but the manager believed in me and sent me in until the end. I'm very grateful," adding, "In chances I think just trying to enjoy it more leads to better results."
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