Professional baseball's LG Twins defeated the SSG Landers and closed to within half a game of first-place KT Wiz.
LG drew the go-ahead run in the ninth inning to beat SSG 8-7 on the 15th at Incheon SSG Landers Field. Both teams' closers took the mound in the ninth, with mixed fortunes.
In the second inning, leadoff hitter Park Dong-won reached with a shallow single, and Moon Jeong-bin hit a double off the right-field fence to create a no-out, runners at second and third chance. Lee Jae-won drove in the first run with a bloop single to center. With no outs and runners at first and third, Shin Min-jae hit a sacrifice fly to left to push the lead to 2-0.
In the top of the fourth, leadoff hitter Shin Min-jae walked and, after a sacrifice bunt, it became one out, runner at second. Hong Chang-ki delivered an RBI single to left to extend the lead to 3-0.
Leading 3-1 in the fifth, Park Dong-won, after one out, hit a high fastball (148 km) off opposing pitcher Kim Do-hyun over the left-field wall for a solo home run. The distance was a whopping 140 meters, a mammoth homer. Afterwards, Moon Jeong-bin walked, Lee Jae-won singled, a wild pitch and a walk to Shin Min-jae created a bases-loaded opportunity. With two outs and the bases loaded, Hong Chang-ki drew a bases-loaded walk that forced in a run to make it 5-1.
Starter Chirinos came in for the sixth inning leading 5-1, gave up a hit to leadoff hitter Park Seong-han, and a grounder by Jeong Jun-jae that he fielded and threw to second became an errant throw that went into the outfield. He gave up an RBI single to Choi Jeong and was relieved. Kim Jin-sung came in with no outs and runners at first and third, allowed one inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly, and got out of the inning.
In the eighth, after one out, Austin was hit by a pitch and Song Chan-ui walked to reach. On a wild pitch, the runners advanced to third and second, and Oh Ji-hwan hit a two-run single to center to make it 7-3. A routine win seemed likely, but in the bottom of the eighth, Bae Jae-jun issued two walks and was replaced with one out and runners at first and second. Reliever Jang Hyun-sik gave up a hit to Kim Jae-hwan that loaded the bases, then surrendered a grand slam to Choi Ji-hoon, tying the game 7-7.
In the top of the ninth against closer Cho Byung-hyun, with one out Park Hae-min hit a single to center, Shin Min-jae hit a double down the left-field line, and pinch-hitter Cheon Seong-ho drew an intentional walk at a 3-1 count to load the bases with one out. Hong Chang-ki drew a straight walk that forced in the run to put them back in front 8-7.
In the bottom of the ninth, new closer Son Ju-yeong took the mound. Pinch-hitter Ahn Sang-hyun hit a grounder that third baseman Cheon Seong-ho muffed for an error, creating a threat. Son issued a straight walk to Park Seong-han. With no outs and runners at first and second, Jeong Jun-jae struck out swinging and Choi Jeong popped out to right to record outs. With two outs and runners at first and second, Heredia hit a hard grounder through the three-hole that shortstop Oh Ji-hwan made a spectacular play on to end the game.
LG starter Chirinos went five innings, allowing four hits, one walk, one strikeout and three runs (two earned). Jang Hyun-sik, who pitched in the eighth, gave up the grand slam and was charged with a blown save but earned the relief win. Son Ju-yeong recorded his second consecutive save since taking over as closer.
After the game, manager Youm Kyoung-youb said, "It was a difficult game overall after giving up the grand slam, but Park Hae-min and Shin Min-jae created opportunities in important situations that helped bring the momentum back to our side, and Hong Chang-ki's go-ahead RBI allowed us to win," and said, "On the pitching side, Kim Jin-sung, Woo Kang-hoon and Bae Jae-jun did their jobs in really tough situations, and I want to praise Son Ju-yeong for recording a save that saved the team."
Manager Youm also said, "Park Dong-won led the overall lineup with three hits, including a home run and two RBIs, and I want to praise the players who never gave up and showed concentration to produce the victory."
Lastly, "Even though we were on the road, many fans came to cheer for us, and thanks to that the players were able to focus and secure the win. We are grateful," he said, offering thanks.
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