Why did Kwak Bin raise his arms in triumph after two outs in the fifth inning? → It was this one play that decided the game... Doosan, 'a dagger to Kim Jae-hwan's former team' with a two-run homer, defeats SSG [Jamsil On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Doosan Bears defeated SSG Landers, resetting the weekend series record to one win and one loss. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the spectacular defensive play at a crucial moment decided the outcome of the game.

Doosan secured a 9-4 victory over SSG in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game held at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 9th. With this win, Doosan avenged their 1-4 loss the previous day (the 8th), improving their record to 16 wins, 1 tie, and 19 losses. Meanwhile, SSG's record stood at 19 wins, 1 tie, and 15 losses.

Doosan starter Kwak Bin recorded 5 innings (100 pitches total), allowing 6 hits, 4 walks, and 1 strikeout while giving up 2 earned runs, achieving his third win (2 losses) of the season. He was followed by Lee Byung-hun (1 inning), Yang Jae-hoon (2/3 inning, 2 earned runs), Park Chi-guk (1 1/3 innings), and Lee Young-ha (1 inning). In the lineup that produced 8 hits, Cameron went 3-for-2 with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, and 2 walks.

In contrast, SSG starter Hiramoto Kojiro collapsed after 3 innings (78 pitches total), allowing 3 hits (including 1 home run), 6 walks, and 2 strikeouts while surrendering 6 earned runs, taking on the burden of defeat. He was followed by Jang Ji-hoon (2 innings), Baek Seung-geon (1 1/3 innings, 2 earned runs), Kim Do-hyun (1 inning, 1 earned run), and Han Du-sol (2/3 innings). In the lineup that produced 10 hits, Choi Ji-hoon went 3-for-3, while Jung Jun-jae and Heredia each recorded 2 hits.

On this day, Doosan set their starting lineup in the following order: Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Park Ji-hoon (third baseman), Park Jun-soon (second baseman), Daz Cameron (right fielder), Kim Min-seok (designated hitter), Kang Seung-ho (first baseman), Lee Yu-chan (left fielder), Yoon Jun-ho (catcher), and Jung Soobin (center fielder). The starting pitcher was Kwak Bin.

Facing Doosan, SSG set their starting lineup in the following order: Park Sung-han (shortstop), Jung Jun-jae (second baseman), Choi Jeong (third baseman), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Heredia (left fielder), Oh Tae-gon (first baseman), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Jo Hyung-woo (catcher), and Choi Jun-woo (right fielder). The starting pitcher was Japanese pitcher Hiramoto Kojiro.

Doosan took advantage of the shaky performance by SSG starter Kojiro, scoring three runs starting from the bottom of the first inning to seize the early lead. Leadoff batter Park Chan-ho drew a straight walk, followed by Park Ji-hoon drawing a walk on the fifth pitch, and next batter Park Jun-soon drawing a straight walk, creating a bases-loaded opportunity with no outs. Then, during Cameron's at-bat, Kojiro committed a balk, advancing all runners. As a result, runner Park Chan-ho from third base scored. Cameron then hit a two-run single to left-center field, bringing in runner Park Ji-hoon from third base. The scoring did not end there. When Kim Min-seok hit a ground ball to second base in the next at-bat, runner Park Jun-soon from third base scored, making it 3-0.

SSG was unable to find an opening against Kwak Bin's pitching in the first and second innings, finally scoring in the top of the third. Leadoff batter Choi Jun-woo drew a straight walk, followed by Park Sung-han drawing a walk on the fifth pitch. Next, Jung Jun-jae hit a single to left field, creating a bases-loaded opportunity with no outs. Although next batter Choi Jeong struck out swinging on the eighth pitch, Kim Jae-hwan drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-1. Then, Heredia hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring a run to narrow the gap to 3-2.

Doosan immediately responded in the bottom of the third inning, scoring three runs again. Leadoff batter Cameron drew a straight walk and successfully stole second base. Then, when Kim Min-seok hit a ground ball to the first baseman, Cameron, who had reached third base, was stranded. Although Kang Seung-ho struck out on three pitches, Lee Yu-chan hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score a run. Next, Yoon Jun-ho, stepping into the batter's box, targeted a fastball from Kojiro that was thrown to the middle of the plate on the third pitch of a 2-0 count, launching a two-run homer over the left-field wall. Doosan had pulled ahead 6-2. Additionally, Yoon Jun-ho recorded his first career home run in the professional leagues.

In the fifth inning, Doosan faced a crisis with two outs and runners on second and third base. Oh Tae-gon's hit ball was then driven powerfully toward right field. Had it dropped, both the runner from third and the runner from second could have scored. At that moment, Cameron leaped backward toward the ball and made a spectacular catch with his glove. Seeing this, Kwak Bin covered his head, raised his arms in triumph, and celebrated. It was a moment where a run could have easily been scored, potentially shifting momentum to SSG. It was a scene that could be described as the turning point of the game.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Doosan's offense exploded again. SSG had switched pitchers from Lee Byung-hun to Baek Seung-geon. Leadoff batter Lee Yu-chan reached base with a double that dropped just inside the left-field line. Then, Yoon Jun-ho, who had hit a home run earlier that day, successfully executed a sacrifice bunt, creating a one-out, bases-loaded opportunity. When Jung Soobin hit a ground ball to second base, runner Lee Yu-chan from third base scored, making the score 7-2.

SSG responded with a powerful blow. In the top of the seventh inning, Doosan had switched pitchers from Lee Byung-hun to Yang Jae-hoon. After one out, Jung Jun-jae reached base with a hit to left-center field and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Choi Jeong flew out to center field. Then, Kim Jae-hwan, facing a favorable 0-2 count, connected with a 147 km/h fastball thrown to the middle of the plate on the third pitch, launching a two-run homer over the right-field wall. This was Kim Jae-hwan's third home run of the season. With a dagger plunged into his former team, the Jamsil stadium was filled with a mix of cheers from SSG fans and jeers from Doosan fans.

The gap was three runs again. However, Doosan scored two more runs in the bottom of the seventh, effectively putting a nail in the coffin of SSG's comeback hopes. Leadoff batter Cameron hit a triple to left-center field. Although Kim Min-seok and pinch-hitter Kim In-tae both grounded out to the infield, seemingly holding the runner at third, Lee Yu-chan and Yoon Jun-ho drew consecutive walks. Then, Jung Soobin hit a two-run single to left field, making the score 9-4. Doosan pulled away 9-4. Ultimately, Doosan brought in Lee Young-ha in the ninth inning, who pitched a perfect inning, securing the victory.

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*This content was translated by AI.