'Doosan's camaraderie is touching.' Park Ji-hoon, who made a defensive error, receives warm encouragement from Park Chi-guk and Park Chan-ho: "We are winning thanks to you"

*This content was translated by AI.

Doosan Bears secured a valuable victory through touching camaraderie. They rallied around Park Ji-hoon (26), who made a defensive error, offering warm encouragement and support to unite the team.

On the 7th, at Seoul Jamsil Stadium, Park Ji-hoon truly went through heaven and hell during the game against LG Twins. In the offense, he hit the go-ahead, game-winning hit, but in defense, a critical judgment error nearly cost the team the victory.

After the game, he relayed the words of veteran pitcher Park Chi-guk (28) and infielder Park Chan-ho (31).

Park Ji-hoon said, "I kept apologizing to Chi-guk hyung, but he told me, 'It's okay, let's finish the remaining games well.' Even after being substituted, he said, 'It's okay, so please defend well,' and then left."

He continued, "Park Chan-ho hyung also said, 'If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be leading this game like this right now. Because you hit the go-ahead hit, we are currently leading, so don't feel down at all. Be confident and do what you want. Let's finish well.'"

Starting the game as the ninth batter and first baseman, Park Ji-hoon stepped up to the plate in the top of the 8th inning with one out and runners on second and third, while the team trailed 0-1. Late entering the batter's box after receiving a sign from the third-base coach, Park Ji-hoon started with one strike. On a 1-2 count, he hit the fourth pitch from opposing starter Tolhurst for a go-ahead, two-RBI single to left field. Doosan added another run on Park Jun-soon's go-ahead hit, extending the lead to 3-1.

However, in the ensuing bottom of the 8th, Park Ji-hoon committed a fatal error, putting the team in crisis. With no outs and a runner on third, Park Ji-hoon fielded Oh Ji-hwan's grounder but threw to third base to try to get Austin without touching first base, resulting in a safe call. Fielder's choice. Due to Park Ji-hoon's momentary judgment error, Doosan found themselves in a bases-loaded, no-out crisis.

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

With two outs, Doosan brought in closer Lee Young-ha, replacing Park Chi-guk. Lee Young-ha walked pinch-hitter Cheon Seong-ho on a straight pitch but induced Lee Jae-won into a shortstop grounder, preventing further runs. In the bottom of the 9th, Doosan maintained focus, with right fielder Cameron and left fielder Jo Su-hyeong sprinting to catch fly balls from Austin and Oh Ji-hwan, respectively, securing a 3-2, one-run victory.

Meeting Park Ji-hoon in the dugout after the game, he explained the fielder's choice during Oh Ji-hwan's grounder: "I thought the runner (Austin) had advanced too far after I fielded the ball, so it seems it was a momentary judgment error." Regarding the infield hit on Park Hae-min's hit, he said, "It was a somewhat awkward and difficult-to-field hit, so I just think it was due to my own ability."

Park Ji-hoon, who hit his first game-winning hit since his debut in 2020 and also gave his first broadcast interview after a game, still felt guilty toward the team. He said, "Even with the seniors' words, I couldn't feel at ease. I truly went through heaven and hell." He added, "It was a game where I painfully felt that I could win because of me and lose because of me. I am determined to become a player who helps the team until the end of the season."

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*This content was translated by AI.