Kim Tae-hyung and Kim Won-joong pointed out, "If the ball doesn't come out, it's hard → I can't not throw it, I have to post it as the game goes out."

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants manager Kim Tae-hyung (59) left a stinging point about closer Kim Won-joong, who was shaken in the game the previous day (28th). While acknowledging the decline in ball power, he came up with a solution that he should find his pace through pitching in the first team.

Coach Kim Tae-hyung met with reporters ahead of the last two consecutive games of the opening of the 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 29th and looked back on the pitching of "finishing pitcher" Kim Won-joong, who allowed two runs in the previous game.

It wasn't a save situation with a 6-1 lead, but Kim Won-joong threw 13 pitches on the 28th, allowing three hits and two runs in a ⅓ of innings. He had three hits, but he also had a double. The game, which was leading 6-1, became 6-3, and in the end, rookie pitcher Park Jung-min came up and made a save in the save situation.

When he said, "It wasn't the way we knew Kim Won-joong yesterday," head coach Kim Tae-hyung said, "But if I'm in a situation to go out today, I'll go out." It's hard if the ball power doesn't come out like that. The game was in a relaxed situation, but when such a situation came out, I quickly took it out. "You have to keep throwing in the game and find your pace," he coolly diagnosed.

In fact, Kim Won-joong showed signs of anxiety at the match on the 28th, with his maximum speed staying in the early 140km range. Head coach Kim said, "It should be seen that the arrest or ball power has not risen yet. That doesn't mean you don't throw it. You have to throw it up. I can't help but go out and get hit now," he said, expressing regret.

He also talked about the save situation on the 28th. Coach Kim said, "I intentionally left Park Jung-min at the back. I was going to put it in at the last minute. Yoon Sung-bin was also ready. However, I didn't think Yoon Sung-bin was in a situation to go out," he said.

Meanwhile, Lotte formed the lineup against Samsung on the 29th in the order of Reyes (designated hitter), Son Ho-young (third baseman), Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder), Jeon Joon-woo (left fielder), Noh Jin-hyuk (first baseman), Yoo Kang-nam (possession), Han Tae-yang (second baseman), Jeon Min-jae (striker), and Hwang Sung-bin (middle fielder). Compared to the previous day (28th), Hwang Sung-bin came in instead of Jang Doo-sung, and Roh Jin-hyuk's batting order came up from 6th to 5th. Lotte's starting pitcher is right-hander Jeremy Beasley (31).

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*This content was translated by AI.