'Six hits, five runs': Lotte's cohesion reaches new heights, Victor Reyes hits go-ahead three-run homer, Kim Jin-wook records another quality start... SSG defeated, 'four-game winning streak' [Incheon On-the-Ground Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Lotte Giants, eagerly awaiting the return of key players, are now in high spirits. They have surged to a four-game winning streak, boosting their momentum.

On the 3rd, Lotte secured a 5-2 comeback victory against SSG Landers in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League road game at Incheon SSG Landers Field.

With the four-game winning streak, Lotte improved to 12 wins, 17 losses, and 1 tie. Meanwhile, SSG, now on a three-game losing streak, remained in third place with 17 wins and 13 losses.

Additionally, Lotte avenged the humiliation of being swept in a three-game series at home earlier this month, achieving their first series sweep of the season.

Lotte lined up its batting order as follows: Jang Du-seong (center fielder), Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder), Victor Reyes (left fielder), Noh Jin-hyuk (first baseman), Yu Gangnam (catcher), Park Seong-wook (third baseman), Han Dong-hee (designated hitter), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), and Han Tae-yang (second baseman). Kim Jin-wook was the starting pitcher.

SSG countered with An Sang-hyun (shortstop), Jung Jun-jae (second baseman), Choi Jeong (third baseman), Guillermo Heredia (left fielder), Oh Tae-gon (third baseman), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Ryu Hyo-seung (designated hitter), Jo Hyung-woo (catcher), and Choi Jun-woo (right fielder). Baek Seung-geon made his first start of the season as the starting pitcher.

The game unfolded as a tense pitching duel. SSG's makeshift starter, Baek Seung-geon, delivered a surprising strong performance. Although he began nervously by issuing a straight fastball walk to leadoff hitter Jang Du-seong, it turned out to be a false alarm. He struck out Yoon Dong-hee, Reyes, and Noh Jin-hyuk in succession. He threw aggressive fastballs and changeups aimed at the hanbok plate, leaving Lotte's batters swinging at nothing repeatedly.

With the help of a perfect defensive play by second baseman Jung Jun-jae on Park Seong-wook's ground ball to right in the second inning, Baek Seung-geon retired the side in order. He also cleanly retired the side in the third inning in just three batters. In the fourth, after allowing a double to Yoon Dong-hee, he gave up one run on consecutive outfield fly balls from Reyes and Noh Jin-hyuk, but his performance was far above expectations and provided significant support on the SSG mound.

SSG batters quickly made light of Baek Seung-geon from the start of the game. An Sang-hyun, making his debut as the leadoff hitter, reached base on a walk. When Jung Jun-jae attempted a bunt, Lotte's infield failed to properly cover first base, allowing the opposing team to seize a bases-loaded, no-out opportunity. Although Choi Jeong struck out, An Sang-hyun scored the first run on a ground ball to the third baseman hit by Heredia.

In the second inning, leadoff hitter Choi Ji-hoon smashed a slider inside from Kim Jin-wook, sending it over the center field fence for a solo home run. It was his fifth home run of the season.

Despite allowing a run, Kim Jin-wock remained composed and continued with stable pitching. Over six innings, he threw 87 pitches, allowing six hits, one walk, and four strikeouts while surrendering two runs (one earned). This marked his third quality start (six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs) in six appearances this season.

SSG brought in Moon Seung-won from the fifth inning to pitch two innings and used Lee Ro-un in the seventh to hold the line effectively. In the eighth, they deployed Kim Min, who had been struggling recently.

Kim Min began by allowing a hit to left-center field to leadoff hitter Jeon Min-jae. He engaged Han Tae-yang in a battle on the inside corner, inducing a foul pop fly from the catcher. Jang Du-seong was struck out, suggesting a turnaround, but Kim Min then issued a walk to Yoon Dong-hee.

Afterward, the SSG coaching staff approached the mound to speak with Kim Min, but ultimately decided not to replace him. This decision proved pivotal. Reyes, facing a 1-2 count, lifted Kim Min's changeup, which dropped low in the zone, with a crouching swing. Although the swing wasn't perfect, the well-struck ball soared toward left-center field, ultimately becoming a go-ahead three-run home run.

Having seized the lead in the eighth, Lotte brought in Jeong Cheol-won. Although Jung Jun-jae got a hit, Jeong retired Park Sung-han and Choi Jeong with strikeouts and induced a ground ball from Heredia, preserving the lead. In the top of the ninth, Son Seong-bin reached base on an error by the opponent, and Jeon Jun-woo, pinch-hitting, delivered a sacrifice fly to add another run.

In the bottom of the ninth, Choi Jun-yong entered the game, retiring Oh Tae-gon on a center field fly ball and striking out Choi Ji-hoon and Ryu Hyo-seung on swinging strikeouts, closing out the game. Choi Jun-yong recorded his fifth save of the season, and Hyun Do-hoon earned his second win.

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*This content was translated by AI.