Kim Hye-sung’s injury battle ended a nightmarish nine-game losing streak for the Kiwoom Heroes. The Lotte Giants self-destructed with three errors, frustrating the ‘Glasses Aces’.
Kiwoom pounded out 13 hits and seven walks while committing three errors in their 11th game of the season against Lotte at the Gocheok SkyDome on Monday, winning 10-8.
The 10-run second through fifth innings, including a five-run big inning in the third, were key. For the third straight game, Lotte starter Park Se-woong was left crying over his team’s defensive miscues. His six runs (three earned) in 2 1/3 innings were the fewest and most runs allowed this season (tied). It was his fifth straight loss of the season and fourth straight in the second half.
On the other hand, Keum struggled a bit, but Hurado bounced back with five innings of three-run ball to pick up his seventh win of the season.
Kiwoom’s Kim Hye-sung was replaced due to a bruise from a foul ball during the previous game. Kiwoom coach Hong Won-ki said, “It doesn’t look like a normal bruise. I didn’t think she would be able to play today, but she strongly expressed her intention to play,” he said, adding, “I don’t think she can play defense, so she will play as a designated hitter instead of second base.” Kim Hye-sung went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored to help the team snap a nine-game losing streak.
Lotte scored first. Kiwoom conceded a run in the first inning after Ahn Kwon-soo singled, Lee Jung-hoo doubled, and Nico Goodrum hit a sacrifice fly.
However, Kiwoom took advantage of a series of errors by the Lotte defense to retire Park Se-woong and turn the game around.
In the bottom of the second, Song Sung-moon singled and Lee Ju-hyung walked to put runners on first and second with no outs. It was a first baseman-first baseman-base runner situation. Shortstop Gudrum’s throw to first base went wide, allowing Song Sung-moon to cross home plate and tie the game. Kiwoom was unable to capitalize on the ensuing double play.
But Kiwoom had a big inning in store for them in the bottom of the third. Lee Yong-kyu singled, was hit by a pitch, and scored on a double by Kim Hye-sung to make it 2-1.
The bases were loaded with one out. Lee Ju-hyung hit a hard grounder to first base. LOTTE first baseman Ko Seung-min blocked the ball at first, but then opted for a late throw to home, which was a little too late, and the rushed throw went far out of play. Meanwhile, Kim Hye-sung Dawson came home to make the score 4-1.
With runners on first and second, Kim Tae-jin followed with a single to right. Lotte right fielder Yoon Dong-hee’s throw to home went wide, allowing Kim to score another run. Five runs in the third inning.
The score was now 6-1, and Park Se-woong’s mentality was broken. The Lotte bench brought in Choi Yi-jun to replace Park Se-woong.
Kiwoom scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning on Song Sung-moon’s bunt single and two more on Lee Joo-hyung’s double to left-center field. However, the flow was interrupted when Song Sung-moon was thrown out at third base.
Kiwoom gave up two runs in the top of the fifth inning on a Gudrum single and an Ahn Chi-hong single amidst the Hurado hustle and bustle. Then, in the bottom of the fifth inning, Kim Dong-heon doubled off Lotte’s Shim Jae-min, followed by Lee Yong-kyu’s RBI single and Kim Hye-sung’s sacrifice fly.
Lotte retired Park Se-woong, Choi I-joon, Shim Jae-min, and Kim Do-gyu, Shin Jeong-rak, while Kiwoom retired Furado, Kim Dong-hyuk, Kim Sung-jin, and Yang Hyun.
Kiwoom gave up two runs in the top of the ninth inning after Joo Seung-woo loaded the bases with three walks, then gave up an RBI single to Ahn Chi-hong and a push single to Yoon Dong-hee. Closer Im Chang-min was rushed in to save the game, but he gave up a double to Park Seung-wook and an infield single to Jung Hoon to make it 8-10. However, the final batter, Noh Jin-hyuk, flied out to left field to end the game. 먹튀검증