An unexpected setback couldn't be stopped.
Professional baseball team Hanwha Eagles rode an explosive offense to a big win despite the variable of an early hook for the starting pitcher.
Hanwha recorded hits from all starting batters, including three home runs, and beat the Samsung Lions 13-3 in an away game at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 2nd. They snapped a three-game losing streak.
The start was uneasy. Starter Moon Dong-ju felt discomfort in his shoulder during his first-inning pitch and came off the mound. In the face of an unexpected setback, the flow of the game could have tilted dramatically.
But the mound held, and the offense erupted. Hanwha mounted an all-out effort, bringing in eight pitchers in total — Kwon Min-gyu, Jeong Woo-joo, Lee Min-woo, Cho Dong-uk, Park Sang-won, Yoon San-heum, Ju Hyun-sang and Won Jong-hyeok. The bullpen minimized additional runs and maintained the momentum.
The lineup did even more. They pummeled the Samsung mound with 18 hits total.
Lee Jin-young delivered the brightest performance with a home run among three hits in six at-bats, driving in four runs and scoring twice, and Heo In-seo continued his hot hitting with a second consecutive game with a home run, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and one run scored. Roh Si-hwan also showed the heart of the middle lineup with two hits in four at-bats (one home run), three RBIs and two runs scored.
Hits from all starting batters. The entire lineup erupted evenly and decided the outcome early.
Manager Kim Kyung-moon said after the game that the starter going down early could have made it a difficult game, but the players stayed focused until the end, and he said he would keep doing his best to show good games.
Hanwha turned an adversity into an opportunity. It was a single game that instantly lifted a slumping atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Hanwha announced Wang Yen-cheng as the starter for the 3rd, and Samsung will counter with Ariel Jurado.
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