Suwon KT Wiz match on August 24th, when KIA Tigers’ 8th consecutive win began. The hero of the victory (score 7-3) was infielder Park Chan-ho, who recorded the game-winning hit with a hit to right in the top of the 9th inning with the bases loaded and the score tied 3-3. 토토사이트
It was a victory achieved through offensive efforts. KIA entered the 8th inning with 2-3, 1 point behind, with 2 outs and runners on first base, Park Chan-ho succeeded in stealing, and Choi Hyeong-woo hit an anti to tie the score at 3-3. In the 9th inning, Kim Tae-gun, the bottom hitter, got on base with a single after one out, opening the opportunity, and pinch hitter Ko Jong-wook hit an advanced base hit. The opposing battery intentionally blocked Kim Do-young, who had a good hitting feel, with 4 pitches, and in this situation, even Choi Won-jun walked, leaving the bases loaded. The solver was Chan-ho Park.
The performance of the bullpen team, which did not receive much attention due to his offensive power, cannot be left out. KIA’s starting pitcher Thomas Panoni allowed 7 hits and 3 runs in 5 2/3 innings on this day, but held off the KT lineup without allowing a run from 1 out in the bottom of the 6th inning. Jang Hyun-sik, who started as the second pitcher after Panoni, was shaken, giving up one hit and one walk, but Lee Jun-young hit Min-hyuk Kim with a hit, and Lim Ki-young, Jeon Sang-hyun, and Jeong Hae-young, who came in later, each pitched one inning without allowing a run.
It is also necessary to pay attention to the bullpen’s outstanding firepower in the match against SSG Landers on the 3rd, when KIA achieved its 8th consecutive win. Starting pitcher Lee Ui-ri gave up 4 runs, and second pitcher Park Jun-pyo also hit a home run and gave up 2 runs, but Kim Dae-yu, Jang Hyun-sik, Choi Ji-min, Jeon Sang-hyun, Lim Ki-young, and Jeong Hae-young pitched the remaining 5 innings without allowing a run. KIA’s batting line, which was losing 5-6, scored two runs in the top of the 8th inning, and Kim Do-young hit a solo home run in the top of the 9th. The bullpen laid the foundation for a comeback victory.
During the 8-game winning streak, ‘all-weather pitcher’ Im Ki-young appeared in 6 games, pitched 6 innings, and gave up only 1 run. He performed all duties, from acting as a link between the starting pitcher and the sure-to-win team to being a setup man who steps in front of the closing pitcher. KIA had a vacant starting lineup after foreign pitcher Mario Sanchez left due to an injury, but coach Kim Jong-guk did not select Im Ki-young, who has a lot of starting experience, as a replacement starter. This is because the role he plays in the bullpen is significant. Lim Ki-young, who had been in charge of the dirty work throughout the season, shone even during the team’s 8-game winning streak.
The existing Pil Seungjo ‘Triple J’ line of Jeon Sang-hyun, Jang Hyun-sik, and Jeong Hae-young also showed solid performances. Jeon Sang-hyun pitched 5 and 1/3 innings in 5 games, giving up only 1 run. He recorded two wins and two holds in relief. Jang Hyun-sik also pitched one inning without allowing a run in close games against the Gwangju Hanwha Eagles on the 27th of last month and against SSG on the 3rd. Closing pitcher Jeong Hae-young also made three saves without allowing a run in the four games in which he appeared. The KIA bullpen recorded a team ERA of 1.53, 6 holds, and 3 saves during 8 consecutive wins. The average ERA and hold were first among the 10 teams during this period.
KIA had difficulty managing its win rate in the first half of the year due to a poor bullpen. Jeong Hae-young left the first team for over a month, and Choi Ji-min, who took his place, also struggled compared to when he was performing his setup man duties. However, they are gaining strength during the most important period of the regular season. Even in situations where physical condition management is difficult due to the sweltering heat and monsoon rain, they are showing more solid form than ever. It played a big role in KIA’s sprint.