"(Hong) Chang-gi apologized." After the profanity controversy, he was demoted to the ninth spot in the lineup, then recorded a multi-hit game and ended the three-game losing streak. National team leadoff hitter Hong Chang-gi's true feelings were conveyed by Park Hae-min.

*This content was translated by AI.

"There is one thing I would like to say."

LG Twins captain Park Hae-min (36) conveyed the true feelings of Hong Chang-gi (33), another key figure who ended the team's three-game losing streak.

Park Hae-min, after leading the team to a 5-3 victory over the Jamsil Samsung Lions on the 13th, told reporters in an interview, "Actually, before the game, (Hong) Chang-gi passed around coffee to the players. He said he was sorry because he felt he had made the team's atmosphere worse yesterday (12th)."

The situation the captain referred to occurred in the bottom of the first inning of the Jamsil Samsung game on the 12th. Hong Chang-gi, batting leadoff in the first inning, swung and missed at a high cutter thrown by Choi Won-tae in a 2-ball, 2-strike count and was called out on strikes. The problem arose in the aftermath. As Hong Chang-gi returned to the dugout, he swore loudly enough for anyone to hear. Although it may have been frustration over a prolonged slump early in the season, the scene of other players in the dugout looking on nervously was captured on broadcast, sparking major controversy after the game.

However, true to Hong Chang-gi, who is known for mediating well between veterans and rookies as a senior member of the team, he quickly expressed his remorse. Park Hae-min added, "I think we were able to win today (13th) because (Hong) Chang-gi helped create the right atmosphere before the game. I hope everyone understands his intentions."

He also fulfilled his role on the field. Despite his recent slump, Hong Chang-gi had consistently started at the top of the lineup. On the 13th game, he batted ninth for the first time this season. He was retired on a pitcher's grounder in his first at-bat in the second inning, but in the bottom of the fifth with no outs and a runner on first, he sparked the offense with a single to left field.

In his final at-bat in the bottom of the seventh, the performance fans had hoped for from Hong Chang-gi finally appeared. He refrained from swinging at pitcher Bae Chan-seung's low outside pitch and hit all the balls that crossed the strike zone, drawing a walk after nine pitches.

With his first multi-hit game in three contests, Hong Chang-gi slightly improved his season statistics to a .191 batting average (22 hits in 115 at-bats) in 34 games, with 8 RBIs, 17 runs scored, a .377 on-base percentage, a .243 slugging percentage, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.620.

It is not just Hong Chang-gi who has been struggling mentally due to recent poor performance. Golden Glove second baseman Shin Min-jae (30) has been unable to find his form, batting .196 (22 hits in 112 at-bats) in 37 games with 5 RBIs, 11 runs scored, 5 stolen bases, and an OPS of 0.493.

Starting catcher Park Dong-won (36) is also struggling, batting .210 (21 hits in 100 at-bats) in 34 games with 1 home run, 13 RBIs, 12 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.615. Shortstop Oh Ji-hwan (36) is also having a tough time, batting .257 (27 hits in 105 at-bats) in 35 games with 2 home runs, 20 RBIs, 13 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.701.

It was encouraging that players who had been struggling led the team to victory on this day. Shin Min-jae, who had been moved down to the eighth spot in the lineup, went 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored, while Park Dong-won went 1-for-4. Oh Ji-hwan sealed the team's victory with a solo home run over the fence in the tense bottom of the eighth inning, when the team was leading by one run.

The captain took care of all of them. Park Hae-min shared his thoughts, saying, "The entire team had a strong desire to end the losing streak. It was a difficult game until the end, but when Oh Ji-hwan hit a home run when it was needed, we were able to end the losing streak quickly."

He then encouraged his struggling teammates, saying, "I also had a rough time in April, but the season won't end like this. I also struggled through my first 170 at-bats, but I have enough experience to bounce back. I believe there is still plenty of time to turn things around, and I want to tell them that they can do it."

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*This content was translated by AI.