'As expected, it was 'ENGU-haeng': With Gu Chang-mo on the mound, NC exploded for 12 runs... Rookie Ko Jun-hwi hits 'first career home run' [Gocheok Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

As expected, it was 'ENGU-haeng' (NC is happy thanks to Gu Chang-mo).

With ace Gu Chang-mo (29) delivering a stellar performance and the lineup exploding, the NC Dinos escaped their losing streak.

On the 23rd, NC secured a decisive 12-2 victory over the Kiwoom Heroes in an away game at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, breaking their two-game losing streak. Kiwoom, which had aimed for a season-opening series sweep, saw its winning streak halted after three games.

Before the game, NC manager Lee Ho-jun (50), addressing the team's poor 2-11 record over their last 13 games, stated, "The mood hasn't turned gloomy. Players are making efforts to unite more." He added, "If (Gu) Chang-mo pitches and wins today, it would be very hopeful," expressing his expectations.

The manager's trust was not misplaced. Gu Chang-mo held the line for six innings, allowing four hits, striking out three, and surrendering only one earned run, rescuing the team from the losing streak. This marked his third win of the season (undefeated). Of his 86 pitches, 57 (66.3%) were fastballs, which he threw with confidence. His maximum velocity reached 145 km/h.

In the bottom of the second inning with one out, he gave up his first hit to Choi Ju-hwan and walked Cho Jae-hyun, loading the bases. However, he escaped without allowing a run by inducing a third baseman's groundout from Kim Dong-heon and striking out Choi Jae-young. Leading 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth, he allowed one run after giving up a double to Brooks in right field, followed by a groundout to the second baseman from Choi Ju-hwan. In the bottom of the sixth, he again gave up a center-field hit to Brooks but quickly retired Im Ji-yeol via a shortstop double play.

In response to the ace's strong pitching, the batters also delivered. After hitting only eight hits in the previous game and suffering a shutout loss, the NC lineup, which had managed just 11 runs over their last six games, exploded with 15 hits today. In the top of the first, Park Min-woo's double to left field, combined with an opponent's error, gave NC an early 2-0 lead. In the top of the third, Seo Ho-cheol and Ko Jun-hwi each hit two-run singles, creating a big inning with four runs. In the top of the fifth, they added three more runs to extend their lead to 9-1.

Especially notable was the four-RBI performance by Ko Jun-hwi (19), a left-handed outfielder selected 32nd overall in the fourth round of the draft. After being optioned following three games (three at-bats, no hits) since the season opener, Ko returned to the active roster for this game. In the top of the third with two outs and runners on second and third, he hit a two-run single to center field for his first career hit and RBI, then successfully stole second base. In the top of the seventh with no outs and a runner on first, he hit his first career home run against pitcher Jeon Jun-pyo. With a 2-2 count, he connected with a 142 km/h slider and sent it over the right-field wall.

Kiwoom committed three critical errors and saw their season-debut starting pitcher Kim Yeon-ju (22) struggle over 2⅓ innings, allowing four hits and four walks, surrendering six runs (five earned), which ended their four-game winning streak. Fourth batter Im Ji-yeol hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field, off opposing pitcher Son Ju-hwan in the bottom of the eighth with two outs and no runners on base.

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*This content was translated by AI.