'Escaping the sweep defeat crisis' Kim Won-hyung's cool assessment: "Park Ji-hoon's defense on the winning hit was regrettable, but it will be a good experience" [Jamsil]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Won-hyung (54), manager of the Doosan Bears, shared his thoughts after narrowly escaping a sweep defeat crisis.

Speaking through the team after a 3-2 comeback victory against the LG Twins at Seoul Jamsil Stadium on the 7th, Manager Kim said, "Cho Su-haeng hit a sacrifice bunt well in the opportunity in the bottom of the 8th, and Park Ji-hoon tried hard to make contact with the ball, which resulted in a precious winning hit." However, the manager also offered a cool assessment, stating, "Park Ji-hoon showed some regrettable moments in defense, but I believe that experience will be a great help to him in playing baseball in the future."

On this day, Doosan literally went through heaven and hell due to Park Ji-hoon (26)'s play in the final moments of the game. Struggling against LG's starting pitcher Tolhurst, Doosan found an opportunity when Kim Min-seok hit a ground ball single to center field to lead off the bottom of the 8th while trailing 0-1. Tolhurst then issued a straight walk to Jung Soobin, creating a bases-loaded, no-out crisis.

Doosan brought in Cho Su-haeng as a pinch-hitter to replace Kim Ki-yeon, successfully executing a sacrifice bunt in front of the catcher. With one out and runners on second and third, the next batter was the ninth hitter, Park Ji-hoon. Entering the batter's box late after receiving signs from the third-base coach and facing a 1-2 count, Park Ji-hoon connected on the fourth pitch, driving a line drive into the gap between the LG third baseman and shortstop who were playing in front, for a left-field single.

Both runners scored, instantly turning the score to 2-1. As LG replaced the pitcher with Ham Deok-ju, Doosan extended their lead to 3-1 with Park Jun-soon's RBI single to right field, following a walk by Park Chan-ho and a strikeout by Cameron with two outs and runners on first and second.

However, in the subsequent bottom of the 8th inning defense, Park Ji-hoon committed a fatal error, putting the team in a crisis. LG's leadoff hitter Austin hit a triple to right-center field off the reliever Park Chi-guk, tightening the chase. Oh Ji-hwan grounded out to first base. However, first baseman Park Ji-hoon, after fielding the ball, threw to third base to try to get Austin out without stepping on first base, but Austin was safe. A fielder's choice. Due to Park Ji-hoon's momentary lapse in judgment, Doosan found themselves in a bases-loaded, no-out crisis.

After Song Chan-ui's strikeout, Park Hae-min's ground ball again headed toward first base. Park Ji-hoon rushed to field it, but the ball hit the glove and rolled away. Officially recorded as an infield hit. Meanwhile, the runner from third base, Austin, scored, narrowing the score to 2-3.

With a fly ball to right field by Kwon Bon-hyeok resulting in the second out, Doosan brought in closer Lee Young-ha to the mound. Lee Young-ha issued a straight walk to pinch-hitter Cheon Seong-ho but induced a groundout to shortstop from Lee Jae-won, preventing further runs. Lee Young-ha shut down the bottom of the 9th inning without allowing a run, securing his second save of the season.

Manager Kim Won-hyung also credited the pitching staff, including starting pitcher Choi Min-seok, who threw 104 pitches over five innings, allowing five hits, striking out eight, and surrendering one run. Manager Kim praised, "Choi Min-seok did his part, and the relievers who came in from the sixth inning, including Yang Jae-hoon, Lee Byung-hun, and Park Chi-guk, created an atmosphere where we could come back by throwing their own pitches. Closer Lee Young-ha also protected the team's victory today with focused pitching."

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*This content was translated by AI.