'A staggering 278 days' to a sweep victory → four-game winning streak → escape from last place, Lotte's Kim Tae-hyung exudes confidence: "We will continue to deliver great games" [Incheon Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

"We will do our utmost to continue delivering great games."

This is not just another cliché. Although the Lotte Giants had been stuck at the bottom of the standings, they have now ridden a wave of momentum from their four-game winning streak, and reinforcements are waiting to join the team starting next week.

Led by manager Kim Tae-hyung (59), Lotte secured a 5-2 comeback victory over the SSG Landers in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League away game held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 3rd.

With the four-game winning streak, Lotte improved their record to 12 wins, 17 losses, and 1 tie, leaping from last place to eighth place in a single day. The gap to the co-fifth-place NC Dinos and KIA Tigers is now just 1.5 games, laying the foundation for a push into the middle of the pack.

Starting pitcher Kim Jin-wook allowed runs in both the first and second innings but remained steady, pitching six innings on the mound. He allowed six hits (including one home run), issued one walk, recorded four strikeouts, and gave up two earned runs. His pitch count was a mere 87.

Although he trailed 1-2 and did not meet the requirements for a win, his solid start naturally set up a late-game opportunity.

In the bottom of the eighth, SSG brought in Kim Min, who has been struggling recently, to the mound, but Lotte did not miss the opportunity. Leadoff batter Jeon Min-jae reached base with a ground ball to right field. Han Tae-yang's sacrifice bunt flew high and was caught out, narrowly missing a chance to cool the momentum, and Jang Du-seong was struck out, but Victor Reyes saved the team.

SSG stuck with Kim Min, but Yoon Dong-hee drew a walk after a seven-pitch battle, passing the opportunity to Reyes. With a 1-2 count against him, Reyes skillfully lifted a changeup that dropped low in the zone. It wasn't a full swing, but the well-struck ball soared straight and cleared the left-center field wall.

Lotte, who had trailed for the entire game, finally turned the tide. Jung Cheol-won in the eighth and Choi Jun-yong in the ninth each pitched a scoreless inning, preserving the team's four-game winning streak.

Lotte, which finished seventh last season, recorded a sweep victory for the first time in 278 days since their series against KIA at Sajik on July 25-27 last year. It has been 1,049 days since their last sweep against SSG, dating back to June 17, 2023.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung wore a proud smile. "All players focused intensely during the game, leading to a good result in the weekend's three-game series. I want to thank the players once again for their hard work," he said.

He added, "I am also grateful to the fans who provided support as enthusiastic as a home team. We will do our utmost to continue delivering great games."

Since February, during their pre-season training camp in Tainan, Taiwan, Lotte had been playing without Go Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop, and Kim Se-min, who received 30-game suspensions from the KBO for visiting a private arcade. It will take more time for Kim Dong-hyeok (suspended for 50 games) to return, but the other three players can return immediately starting with the game on the 5th. Before the game, Manager Kim stated, "The players will be back on the 5th. They are scheduled to join tomorrow."

The return of key players is expected to provide even greater strength to the team on a winning streak. Fans are now excited to see how far Lotte, having successfully escaped last place, can climb.

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*This content was translated by AI.