Doosan secured a ticket to the postseason. KIA was confirmed to be eliminated in the semifinals.
Doosan won a hard-fought 3-2 win against LG held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 14th. 스포츠토토
Doosan won this day and finally confirmed its advancement to the postseason. If 6th place KIA wins all of its remaining 2 games, it will have 73 wins, 2 draws, and 69 losses. Even if Doosan loses all three remaining games, it will be ahead of KIA in winning percentage with 74 wins, 2 draws, and 68 losses. KIA’s elimination in the semifinals was confirmed.
Five teams, LG, KT, SSG, NC, and Doosan, won tickets to this year’s KBO League postseason. LG won the regular season championship, and KT secured second place. Rankings 3 to 5 have not yet been determined. SSG, NC, and Doosan are expected to continue their fierce battle for rankings until the final match.
Doosan starter Brandon pitched 94 pitches in 7 innings and pitched well, allowing 4 hits, 1 home run, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts, and 1 run, but the bullpen allowed a tie, so the victory was denied. Jeong Cheol-won (1 inning, 1 run) pitched in the 8th, followed by Kim Kang-ryul and Kim Myeong-shin in the 9th. Kim Myung-shin took the mound in the bottom of the 9th inning with no outs on first and second base, and blocked the pitch with a three-way throw, recording his first save in his debut.
Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop said after the game, “First of all, thanks to the fans, we were able to play fall baseball. I have not forgotten the enthusiastic support from the fans from the first game of the opening game until today. Thanks to that, the coaches and players were able to gain strength. Really. “Thank you,” he said. “I think there will be good results if our players do their best in the remaining games as they have done so far. We will do our best so that the bench and players can work together as one to win every game.”
He then praised, “All the players today, including Kim Myung-shin, who made his first save in his debut, and Kang Seung-ho, who hit the winning shot, were able to come together and win today.”
LG starter Kim Yun-sik allowed 5 hits and 1 run in 2 innings (19 pitches). Lee Jeong-yong, who took the mound as the second pitcher, pitched 5 innings (74 pitches), allowing 4 hits, 3 strikeouts, and 1 run (unearned).
Doosan’s starting lineup included Jeong Soo-bin (center fielder), Jo Soo-haeng (right fielder), Rojas (designated hitter), Yang Eui-ji (catcher), Yang Seok-hwan (first baseman), Kim Jae-hwan (left fielder), Kang Seung-ho (second baseman), Kim Jae-ho (shortstop), and Park Jun-young (third baseman).
Heo Gyeong-min is out due to a minor injury. Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop said before the game, “My hamstring was slightly strained in yesterday’s game. (I had to replace my right thigh before the 7th inning defense against KIA the previous day because it was tight). I think I can do it in the second half of the game if I overdo it, but I don’t plan on using it if possible.” He said.
On this day, LG’s starting lineup included Park Hae-min (center fielder), Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (left fielder), Austin (first baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Kim Min-seong (second baseman), Lee Jae-won (designated hitter), and Heo Do-hwan (catcher). Lee Jae-won was registered as a first-team entry on this day and played as a designated hitter.
Hong Chang-gi bats second instead of first. LG manager Yeom Kyeong-yeop said, “In preparation for the Korean Series, we are testing No. 1 Park Hae-min and No. 2 Hong Chang-ki. It is an aggressive batting order that does not allow the second batter to bunt. When the first pitch is important, it is No. 1 Hong Chang-ki and No. 2 Park Hae-min and bunts to Park Hae-min. “I will do it,” he said.
Doosan had a rough start in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Jeong Soo-bin reached base with a single to left, but was tagged out by the second baseman when Jo Su-haeng grounded to second base. Cho Su-haeng is safe at first base.
Jo Su-haeng succeeded in stealing second base while Rojas was at bat. With one out and runners on second base, Rojas hit a hit to right. Cho Soo-haeng, who was running home after going around third base, tripped on the grass and was caught between third base and home. Right fielder, catcher, and third baseman were tagged out.
However, after batting runner Rojas advanced to second base and tried to run to third base, he was hit again and tagged out. The inning ended with 1 run scored and 1 out and runners on base, but with 3 outs and no runs scored.
Doosan scored first in the second inning. Leadoff hitter Yang Eui-ji hit a left-handed hit, and Yang Seok-hwan also reached first and second base with no outs with a left-handed hit. Kim Jae-hwan’s ground ball to second base resulted in a double play that led to 2nd and 1st base.
With 2 outs and 3rd base, shortstop Oh Ji-hwan made a diving catch on Kang Seung-ho’s ground ball with 3 outs. He got up and threw to first base, but Kang Seung-ho made a save with a headfirst slide, resulting in an infield hit, and third base runner Yang Eui-ji hit home and succeeded in scoring.
However, Doosan had 7 batters hit 5 hits until the 2nd inning, but only scored 1 run. There were as many as three baserunners.
LG tied the game with their first hit in the bottom of the second inning. Austin caught Doosan starting pitcher Brandon’s fifth pitch curve (123.6km) and hit a solo home run that went over the left wall. Distance 128m. His 23rd hit of the season, he tied for 3rd in home runs.
Austin’s birthday was today. It became a home run to celebrate his birthday. LG fans sang Happy Birthday to Austin during his second at-bat in the 4th inning.
LG removed starter Kim Yun-sik in the third inning and appointed Lee Jeong-yong as a bullpen pitcher. Doosan reached base with one out in the third inning when Park Jun-young hit a double that hit the fence in the middle. Jeong Soo-bin grounded out to second base, and with 2 outs and 3rd base, Soo-haeng Cho retired with a fly ball to left field.
For Doosan, with one out in the fifth inning, Kang Seung-ho got on base with a hit to right, and after two outs, Park Joon-young hit a hit to center, giving the team a chance to reach first and third base. However, Jeong Soo-bin was thrown out with a ground ball to first base and missed the opportunity to score.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, LG’s leadoff hitter Oh Ji-hwan hit a double to the left and was out at third base. Left fielder Kim Jae-hwan slipped on the grass while trying to start from a defensive position after an ordinary fly ball. This resulted in a hit, and it rolled all the way to the outfield fence. A broadcast play was made between left fielder, shortstop, and third baseman, and Oh Ji-hwan was tagged out at third base. After one out, Moon Bo-kyung reached base with a single to left, but the subsequent batters retired with a hit.
LG reached base in the 6th inning with Hong Chang-gi hitting a left-field double after Heo Do-hwan and Park Hae-min struck out in succession. Kim Hyun-soo failed to capitalize on the opportunity due to a missed swing and a strikeout.
Doosan takes the lead with a squeeze bunt
Doosan’s leadoff hitter Kim Jae-hwan took the opportunity in the 7th inning. He hit a hard ball toward first base, which hit first baseman Austin’s mitt and went out into the outfield. Kim Jae-hwan advanced to second base. The record is a catching error by the first baseman.
Kang Seung-ho hit a sacrifice bunt and reached third base with one out. Jae-ho Kim then attempted a squeeze bunt toward first base, and the first baseman caught it and threw the first base cover to the second baseman who came in and made an out. Meanwhile, the runner on third base hit home, breaking the balance at 2-1.
Bottom of the 8th inning, Jamsil Big Boy’s tying home run
After LG had one out in the bottom of the 8th inning, the cannon exploded again. Against the changed pitcher Jeong Cheol-won, Jaewon Lee drew a slider on the 5th pitch with a 2-ball, 2-strike count and hit a solo home run that went over the left wall. The 4th gun of the season. The score was tied 2-2.
It was a misfire where the slider was pushed high. The exit speed was 168.4 km, the launch angle was 30.8 degrees, and the distance was 126.8 m.
In the top of the 9th inning, Doosan Kang Seung-ho hits a timely hit.
Doosan took the lead again in the 9th inning against LG Wooyoung Jung. After one out, Yang Seok-hwan reached base with a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Lee Yu-chan. Yoo-chan Lee succeeded in stealing second base, and Tae-geun Kim’s ground ball to third base made it 2 outs and 3rd base.
Kang Seung-ho’s hit hit ended up being an untimely hit as the bat broke, passed the second baseman’s height and landed in front of right field. A runner on third base scored, taking the lead to 3-2.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, LG’s leadoff hitter Hong Chang-ki reached base with a heavy hit against Doosan’s third pitcher Kim Kang-ryul. Then, Moon Seong-ju, who came on as a substitute in the 7th inning, drew a walk and advanced to first and second base with no outs.
Doosan dropped Kim Kang-ryul and promoted Kim Myeong-shin as a relief pitcher. Austin at bat. Austin was thrown out with a fly ball to left field. Oh Ji-hwan’s batted ball was caught in front of the right fence. With 2 outs and runners on 1st and 3rd base, Moon Bo-kyung was thrown out with a fly ball to center field. It was a hard-fought victory for Doosan.