'Facing hometown team Doosan, multi-hit hero soars' Kim Jae-hwan's fierce hitting → Benigiano 7K first win, SSG 4-1 Doosan subdued [Jamsil on-site review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Jae-hwan (38), who joined SSG Landers ahead of this season, delivered a multi-hit performance (two or more hits in a single game) and secured a victory for his team.

On the 8th, SSG defeated Doosan Bears 4-1 in a visiting game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League held at Jamsil Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

With a record of 19 wins, 14 losses, and 1 tie, SSG maintained its joint third-place position alongside Samsung Lions, who also won consecutively on this day. Doosan recorded 15 wins, 19 losses, and 1 tie.

Doosan achieved a sellout of 23,750 seats again today. Since the home game against KIA Tigers on the 17th of last month, they have achieved 10 consecutive sellouts at home, tying the record set by LG this season, which recorded 10 consecutive sellouts at Jamsil from the SSG game on the 11th of last month until the NC Dinos game on the 2nd of this month. This increased the likelihood of setting the most records in the weekend series.

The game, which began amidst a fervent crowd atmosphere, also drew attention as the 'Kim Jae-hwan Derby,' a matchup against his former team ahead of the season. Kim Jae-hwan, who had signed a free agent (FA) contract with Doosan for up to 11.5 billion won over four years, was released as a complete free agent after failing to reach a priority negotiation with Doosan as stipulated in the contract, and eventually joined SSG with a two-year contract worth up to 2.2 billion won without any compensation.

Criticism arose over the alleged exploitation of regulations, and an intense reaction erupted among Doosan fans. After joining SSG, Kim Jae-hwan stated on his social networking service (SNS), "I am well aware that there were many voices of criticism and disappointment regarding my choice," and "I will never take lightly all the words and scolding sent by the fans. I sincerely apologize for hurting your hearts with my performance and choice that fell short of expectations."

After going 0-for-10 in three consecutive games against Doosan in Incheon following the season opener, Kim Jae-hwan stood at Jamsil Stadium as an opponent of Doosan for the first time since his transfer.

SSG lined up with Park Sung-han (shortstop), Jung Jun-jae (second baseman), Choi Jeong (third baseman), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Guillermo Heredia (left fielder), Oh Tae-gon (first baseman), Jo Hyung-woo (catcher), Chae Hyun-woo (right fielder), and Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder). Kim Jae-hwan, who was called up from the minor league the previous day and hit a sacrifice fly with one RBI, returned to the fourth spot in the batting order. The starting pitcher was Anthony Benigiano.

Doosan lined up with Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Daz Cameron (right fielder), Park Jun-soon (second baseman), Yang Eui-ji (designated hitter), Ahn Jae-seok (third baseman), Kim Min-seok (left fielder), Kim Ki-yeon (catcher), Park Ji-hoon (first baseman), and Jo Su-haeng (center fielder). Temporary substitute foreign pitcher Wes Benjamin made the starting appearance.

SSG's lineup showed strength from the early innings. Kim Jae-hwan, leading off in the 2nd inning, took off his helmet, bowed his head toward the home stands on the first-base side, and did not miss the first pitch, a fastball down the middle from Benjamin, recording a hit to left field. Booing erupted from the Doosan cheering section.

Kim Jae-hwan was later out on a ground ball hit by Heredia, but SSG scored the first run following Oh Tae-gon's hit and Chae Hyun-woo's sacrifice fly with one RBI.

In the 4th inning, after Heredia's double and Oh Tae-gon's hit to center field set the table, SSG added a run on Chae Hyun-woo's sacrifice fly to right field.

In the 5th inning, with one out, Kim Jae-hwan stepped up to the plate again and hit the ball toward left-center field, where even louder booing erupted from the Doosan cheering section than during his first at-bat. Nevertheless, SSG added two runs with four consecutive hits by Heredia, Oh Tae-gon, and Jo Hyung-woo, taking a 4-0 lead.

SSG starter Benigiano's strong pitching also stood out. Although he allowed three leadoff batters to reach base through the 4th inning, he struck out batters with sharp sliders and sweepers at critical moments, extinguishing the fire himself.

In the 5th inning, he received decisive help from his defense. With no outs, he walked Kim Min-seok and allowed consecutive hits to Kim Ki-yeon and Park Ji-hoon, giving up one run. After a sacrifice bunt by Jo Su-haeng, he hit Park Chan-ho with a pitch, creating a bases-loaded, one-out crisis. He induced a fly ball to left field from Cameron, which seemed like it would trade one out and one run, but Heredia's throw down the line took a one-bounce hop toward catcher Jo Hyung-woo, who tagged out third baseman Kim Ki-yeon, allowing SSG to finish the 5th inning without further runs.

Benigiano, who appeared again in the 6th inning, allowed consecutive baserunners with two outs, leaving runners on first and second, before handing over the task to Noh Gyeong-eun. Noh induced a ground ball to the third baseman from Kim Ki-yeon, giving Benigiano the win condition.

SSG, who activated their winning lineup early, stably maintained their lead. Noh Gyeong-eun, who appeared in the 7th inning, and Lee Ro-un, who took over the baton in the 8th inning, both retired the side in order. In the 9th inning, Jo Byeong-hyun appeared and held the line for one inning.

Benigiano, who threw 91 pitches over 5 2/3 innings, allowed 6 hits, 3 walks/strikes, recorded 7 strikeouts, and gave up only 1 run, securing his first win of the season after two losses. Noh Gyeong-eun recorded his third hold of the season (1 win, 2 losses), Lee Ro-un recorded his fourth hold (3 wins), and Jo Byeong-hyun recorded his fifth save of the season (1 win).

In the lineup, Kim Jae-hwan, who recorded a multi-hit performance, Oh Tae-gon with 3 hits in 4 at-bats and 1 RBI, Chae Hyun-woo with 1 hit in 2 at-bats and 2 RBIs, and Choi Jeong and Heredia (3 runs), who also recorded multi-hits in the heart of the lineup alongside Kim Jae-hwan, shone brightly.

On the other hand, Doosan starter Benjamin allowed 11 hits and 1 walk/strike over 5 innings, giving up 4 runs, and took the blame for his second loss of the season without a win.

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*This content was translated by AI.