Kim Tae-hyung manager "The lineup is finding its rhythm," satisfied; Na Seung-yeop and Go Seung-min combine for 5 RBIs, with a total of 7 players each recording 2 hits in a 16-hit explosion [Suwon]

*This content was translated by AI.

"The lineup is finding its rhythm."

Kim Tae-hyung (59), manager of the Lotte Giants, expressed satisfaction with his team's batters' performances.

After the Lotte Giants defeated the KT Wiz 8-1 at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 6th, Manager Kim told the club through an official statement: "Starting pitcher Wisely delivered a strong performance over six innings, allowing only one run, laying the foundation for victory. Relief pitchers who followed, along with Gu Seung-min who made his first appearance with the first team in a while, also pitched well. All position players hit effectively, contributing to many runs and securing the win. Overall, the lineup is finding its rhythm."

On this day, Lotte's lineup exploded with 16 total hits, including 2 hits each from seven batters: No. 1 Doo-seong Jeon, No. 2 Go Seung-min, No. 3 Reyes, No. 4 Na Seung-yeop, No. 5 Jun-woo Jeon, No. 6 Dong-hee Yoon, and No. 8 Min-jae Jeon. Among them, the key figures in the victory were Na Seung-yeop (24) and Go Seung-min (26), both returning from disciplinary action the previous day (5th).

Starting at fourth spot and first base, Na Seung-yeop connected with the second pitch—a inside curveball from Boosley—during the top of the sixth inning with one out and a runner on first, with the count at 1-0, while Lotte led 2-1. The ball soared over the right-field fence in a massive 130-meter arc. This was his first home run in two games since returning from suspension and his first in 235 days since September 13, 2023, against the SSG Landers.

In the top of the seventh inning, with no outs and runners on second base, the game resumed after a 23-minute delay due to rainwater infiltration at the stadium. Na immediately hit a two-run double to center field off pitcher Kwon. His final line for the day was 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs.

Go Seung-min, who also returned the previous day, started at second base and batted second. In the bottom of the third inning, with one out and runners on first and second while Lotte trailed 0-1, he hit a two-run double to left-center field, giving Lotte the lead. In the sixth inning, as the leadoff batter, he hit a single to left field, sparking a four-run inning. His final line was 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs. Together with Na Seung-yeop, the two combined for 4 hits and 5 RBIs.

Both players had previously visited an illegal gambling house during the team's spring training in Taiwan in February and were each suspended for 30 games by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). They returned to play on the 6th. In their first game back against KT, Go Seung-min started at sixth spot, going 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Na Seung-yeop entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, recording 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Before the game, Manager Kim Tae-hyung told reporters: "These two (Na Seung-yeop and Go Seung-min) are expected to play central roles in our lineup, and they have consistently done so. They demonstrated that with yesterday's performance. I was very pleased with their batting form and their presence at the plate."

While their misconduct as professional baseball players remains a stain, it is clear that their return has significantly strengthened Lotte's lineup.

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*This content was translated by AI.