"Hit them all today." With Kang Baek-ho delivering two home runs and seven RBIs in a home game, Hanwha manager Lee Kang-cheol found himself smiling instead of frowning. [Suwon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) laughed off the performance of his former protégé, Kang Baek-ho (27, Hanwha Eagles), who struck with the force of a dagger.

Ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game between Hanwha Eagles and KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 17th, manager Lee Kang-cheol said, "I hope today (the 17th) passes quickly. It's strange that chances keep going to those players (the free agents)."

He was referring to Kang Baek-ho, who handed KT a 5-10 defeat the previous day (the 16th). Kang Baek-ho performed brilliantly with 3 hits in 4 at-bats (including 2 home runs), 7 RBIs, 1 walk, and 3 runs scored, leading Hanwha to a three-game winning streak.

Regarding Kang Baek-ho hitting two home runs in a single game, manager Lee Kang-cheol chuckled, saying, "That's fine. It's better to hit them all in one day. Can't we give up all three games anyway? I told him to hit them all today after he hit the second home run yesterday. Hitting them separately is more headache-inducing."

KT's lineup for the day consisted of Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Sam Hilliard (center fielder), Jang Sung-woo (designated hitter), Kim Sang-soo (second baseman), Oh Yun-seok (third baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Lee Kang-min (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Matt Sauer.

The opposing pitcher was Ryu Hyun-jin (39), known as the "Korean Monster," who is aiming for his 200th career win in Korea and the United States. After earning his first win in a Jamsil LG Twins game on April 12, 2006, Ryu accumulated 98 wins over seven seasons. In 2013, he challenged Major League Baseball (MLB), playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, where he added 78 wins.

After returning to the Korean KBO League in 2024, he once again moved toward 200 wins. He earned his first win in Korea upon his return in a Jamsil Doosan Bears game on April 11, 2024, and recorded his 100th career KBO win in a Daejeon SSG Landers game on April 30. With 10 wins in his return season of 2024, 9 wins in 2025, and 4 wins this season, he currently holds a career total of 199 wins.

In response, manager Lee Kang-cheol said, "I heard from the articles that Ryu Hyun-jin is aiming for his 200th career win in Korea and the United States. Our ace is also starting out. It seems good for both sides to be focused."

He then added with a joking tone, "Why not take it slowly with the (career 200-win) milestone? It would be perfect if it happens at our home stadium in his next appearance. If our win-loss margin increases to nine, it will be more convenient when next week begins. We want to build a lead and move forward. We will prepare well and try to win."

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*This content was translated by AI.