The LG Twins have overcome the shock of a come-from-behind defeat for two consecutive days and started running again. The head coach also praised the players and promised the following.
The LG Twins won the away game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League against KT Wiz at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 30th, 11-7.
With the victory, LG successfully escaped for two consecutive losses, and posted 65 wins, 57 losses and two draws. The team ranks third in the league. There is still a chance to rank second. The team narrowed its gap versus second-ranked Samsung, which had no game on the same day, to 3.5 games from the previous four games. On the other hand, it widened its gap versus fourth-ranked Doosan, which also had no game, to 2.5 games.
LG’s lineup exploded for the first time in a long time. On top of that, LG’s starting pitcher Detrick N.S. played seven innings alone, relieving the bullpen of burden.
LG seemed to have a rough start by giving up two runs first in the bottom of the first inning. However, it tied Moon Bo-kyung’s solo home run (season 17th) and Oh Ji-hwan’s solo home run (season 7th) in the fourth inning to bring the game to square one 2-2. The number of consecutive home runs hitters was 53rd this season and 1,169th in the KBO.
In addition, he scored six runs en masse in the top of the sixth inning, effectively seizing the upper hand. With leadoff hitter Moon Bo-kyung’s hit to the right center and Oh Ji-hwan’s double to the left, Park Dong-won hit a timely two-run double that went inside the left-field line. Then, Kim Hyun-soo scored a timely double that fell inside the right-field line, and ran away 5-2.
Choi Won-young stepped down with a bunt flyout, and pinch hitter Kim Bum-suk retired with a flyout to left field, and two out-counts were filled in an instant with runners in the scoring position. However, Hong Chang-ki hit a timely hit to center field to bring the runner on second base Kim Hyun-soo home. Then, Koo Bon-hyuk got on the base with a hit to the left, and the LG Twins continued their chances of reaching the first and second bases. Um Sang-baek went down here, and Moon Yong-ik took the mound as relief pitcher. Against Moon, Austin hit a timely two-run double to left to complete a six-run big inning.
Of course, Ence allowed two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and one run in the bottom of the seventh inning, respectively, allowing five runs. In addition, Ham Deok-ju allowed one run in one inning in the eighth inning and Lee Jong-joon allowed one run in the ninth inning, but he still kept his team’s victory. 안전놀이터
It was also encouraging for LG to secure its victory by adding three more runs in the final attack. In the top of the ninth inning, LG’s leadoff batters Austin, Moon Bo-kyung and Oh Ji-hwan had consecutive hits, gaining the opportunity to load the bases with no outs. Here, Park Dong-won hit a timely two-run hit to the left-center field, and after one out, Park Hae-min hit a sacrifice fly to the left field to run to 11-6.
LG Twins’ starting pitcher N.S. posted nine hits (two homeruns), five strikeouts and five runs (five earned) during seven innings, and achieved 11 wins (six losses) in this season. While throwing 35 fastballs, 33 changeups, 20 cutters, six curves, and three sliders, N.S. posted maximum speed of 152 km in fastballs. His ball control was also good, with 70 strikes and 27 balls.
Ham Deok-ju and Lee Jong-joon were in charge of the team’s performance for one inning each. LG showcased nuclear bomb-like firepower by hitting 17 hits in a long time. In the batting lineup, Park Dong-won showed strong performance with four hits and four RBIs, while Moon Bo-kyung and Oh Ji-hwan also posted three hits. Oh became the 23rd player in KBO history to score 1,000 points in his career.
After the game, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said, “Ans played his role well as a starter,” praising him for spending seven innings alone. “It was an easy game as Kim Hyun-soo, Austin, Oh Ji-hwan and Park Dong-won, who are the main players to hit as a whole, played their part,” Yeom said. “Thanks to so many fans who came and cheered for us even though it was an away game. Thank you.”
Now, LG will take a three-day break from May 31 to May 2. And next week, Cheon will return. The star is outfielder Moon Sung-joo. “I think it will be better if (Moon) Sung-joo comes. I have started technical training for now. I am thinking about next weekend. Coming to the (first team) will also have to come up, but what’s more important is that I will be in good condition.” LG will move to Gwangju on May 4 and face off against KIA. It will play SSG on May 5 and 6 at its home ground, Jamsil Stadium. It will play three consecutive games against Hanwha at Jamsil Stadium from May 7 to 9.
