'Lotte and KIA kicked each other's chances away in the final inning' — Han Tae-yang's heartbreaking error in the bottom of the 9th inning, followed by Han Jun-soo's futile double play [Yesterday's Baseball Moment]

*This content was translated by AI.

April 26, Lotte 5, KIA 5 (Gwangju, 11 innings, extra innings)

Both teams had chances to end the game with a victory. However, they each missed their opportunities due to heartbreaking errors and double plays, effectively kicking each other's chances away.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, with KIA Tigers trailing 4-5. Lotte Giants pitcher Choi Jun-yong (25), who had entered in the 8th inning and cleanly retired the side in order over one inning, suddenly faltered. He struck out the first batter, Kim Do-young, on three pitches, but then allowed a hit to the gap in left-center field by Na Sung-beom. Following a wild pitch, he walked Dale and Oh Seon-woo in succession.

With one out and bases loaded, KIA brought in 'the secret weapon' Ko Jong-wook (37) as a pinch hitter in place of Ju Hyo-sang. Ko Jong-wook had been Choi Jun-yong's nemesis, recording 4 hits in 5 at-bats (batting average 0.800) with 1 RBI up to that point. He also had two doubles. His pinch-hitting performance this season was also strong: 3 hits in 6 at-bats (batting average 0.500) with 3 RBIs.

After a ball-foul-ball sequence, Ko Jong-wook's bat connected with Choi Jun-yong's fourth pitch, a 134 km/h slider down the middle. The ball rolled directly toward the second baseman. The speed of the batted ball suggested a 4-6-3 double play was possible.

However, Lotte second baseman Han Tae-yang (23), who had entered the game as a pinch runner for Yu Gangnam in the top of the 7th inning, failed to field the ball properly. The ball struck his body and rolled toward first base. Meanwhile, third baseman Park Jung-woo crossed home plate to tie the game 5-5. The situation, which could have ended the game with a double play, instead returned to a bases-loaded, one-out scenario with a potential go-ahead run.

KIA brought Han Jun-soo (27) in as a pinch hitter for Jung Hyun-chang. With a 1-1 count, Han Jun-soo hit a ball that shot like a bullet toward the third base line off Choi Jun-yong's third pitch. The umpire called it foul, and video review confirmed the foul call.

Han Jun-soo, who narrowly missed a walk-off hit opportunity, then hit a 135 km/h slider on the sixth pitch with a 2-2 count. It was a ground ball to the first baseman. Lotte first baseman Noh Jin-hyuk (37) fielded the ball and calmly threw to home plate to force out Dale at third base. Catcher Son Seong-bin then threw the ball back to first base to record the out on batter-runner Han Jun-soo.

The double play, 3-2-3, ended the inning. This time, KIA squandered a precious walk-off opportunity in vain.

The game ultimately extended to 11 innings and ended in a 5-5 tie. KIA missed the chance to secure a three-game winning streak and a sweep, while Lotte missed the opportunity to break its two-game losing streak.

Not only Han Tae-yang and Han Jun-soo, but there was one more player who felt more regret than anyone else. Lotte starting pitcher Na Gyun-an (28). Earlier in the season, in four games, he pitched with an ERA of 2.08 but failed to secure a win. In his previous outing on the 21st against Doosan Bears, he pitched seven innings allowing two runs, but became the losing pitcher due to insufficient support from his offense.

On this day, Na Gyun-an also held the line for six innings, allowing three hits (one home run), one walk, striking out four, and giving up two runs, leading 5-2 entering the bottom of the 7th inning. He handed over the mound with the conditions for a win in place. However, due to poor relief pitching, he lost the win again.

Na Gyun-an has recorded two wins and two losses in five games this season, with an ERA of 2.28 (tied for 8th), WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.16 (10th), two quality starts (tied for 12th), and a batting average against of 0.230 (11th), despite pitching well. Only Na Gyun-an and Park Se-woong (Lotte, 3.81 ERA, two wins and four losses) are pitchers who have met the qualification for innings, posted an ERA in the 3.00s or lower, yet have no wins.

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*This content was translated by AI.