'Hit-by-pitch, hit-by-pitch, walk' with bases loaded, yet two consecutive bases-loaded walks... KT escapes two-game losing streak by defeating NC with '9 hit-by-pitches' [Suwon Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Continuously giving up hit-by-pitches and walks left no chance to win. KT Wiz overcame NC Dinos, who were defeated by their own hit-by-pitches and walks, and snapped their losing streak.

On the 22nd, KT defeated NC 7-4 in a regular-season home game at Suwon KT Wiz Park, attended by 13,012 spectators, as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

With this victory, KT, who escaped a two-game losing streak, improved to 26 wins, 1 tie, and 18 losses, moving back into the lead chase. Meanwhile, NC, who fell into a four-game losing streak, remained in last place with 18 wins, 1 tie, and 26 losses.

The turning point came in the bottom of the 7th inning when both teams were tied 4-4. Ryu Jin-wook, who took the mound, immediately allowed consecutive hits to Sam Hilliard and Kim Min-hyuk. Kim Sang-soo hit a precise bunt toward first base, loading the bases with runners on second and third. From that moment, Ryu Jin-wook began to lose control.

Ryu Jin-wook hit Heo Kyung-min with a first pitch, loading the bases. He then worked the count to 1 ball, 2 strikes against Bae Jeong-dae. However, he threw another fastball to the same spot, hitting Bae's wrist and allowing a bases-loaded walk. NC brought in a reliever to calm Ryu Jin-wook, but it was in vain. Despite facing pinch-hitter Lee Jung-hoon with a favorable 1 ball, 2 strikes count, Ryu threw three consecutive balls, surrendering another run. Lim Ji-min was brought in to replace Ryu on the mound, and Choi Won-jun's sacrifice fly added an RBI, solidifying KT's lead.

The lineup performed well. KT's Hilliard went 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored, Kim Min-hyuk went 3-for-4 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored, Choi Won-jun went 1-for-2 with 3 RBIs and 2 walks, and Heo Kyung-min went 1-for-2 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored, leading the offense. For NC, Kim Ju-won went 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs, and Kim Hyung-jun went 2-for-3 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored, but their efforts were overshadowed by the team's loss.

In the starting pitcher matchup, KT had the edge. KT's Go Young-pyo pitched 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 hit-by-pitches (1 walk, 1 hit-by-pitch), striking out 4 batters, and giving up 4 earned runs. NC's Kim Tae-kyung pitched 2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 walks, striking out 2 batters, and giving up 4 earned runs.

KT's lineup for the day was: Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Yoo Jun-gyu (center fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Sam Hilliard (left fielder), Kim Min-hyuk (designated hitter), Kim Sang-soo (second baseman), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Kwon Dong-jin (shortstop). Go Young-pyo started on the mound.

NC countered with the following lineup: Kim Ju-won (shortstop), Han Seok-hyun (right fielder), Park Min-woo (second baseman), Park Geon-woo (designated hitter), Lee Woo-seong (left fielder), Matt Davidson (first baseman), Do Tae-hoon (third baseman), Kim Hyung-jun (catcher), and Choi Jeong-won (center fielder). Kim Tae-kyung started on the mound.

Home team KT took an early lead with a big inning in the 2nd. In the bottom of the 2nd, leadoff hitter Hilliard reached base with a double to deep center-left field. Kim Min-hyuk followed with a single to center, driving in the first run. Kim Sang-soo drew a walk, and Heo Kyung-min added a single to left field, driving in another run. Choi Won-jun then hit a sacrifice bunt, creating a one-out, runners-on-second-and-third situation. He followed with a double to center field, driving in two more runs and clearing the bases. KT led 4-0.

In contrast, NC struggled to find their rhythm. In the top of the 2nd, Park Geon-woo's hit went straight to shortstop Kwon Dong-jin's glove. In the top of the 3rd, with no outs and runners on first and second, NC managed only one run.

In the top of the 3rd, leadoff hitter Do Tae-hoon was hit by a pitch, and Kim Hyung-jun reached base with a single to left field. Choi Jeong-won struck out swinging at a low outside changeup. Kim Ju-won then hit a single to right field, driving in one run to narrow the gap. However, Han Seok-hyun's hit was turned into a straight double play by the second baseman, ending the inning.

Even Go Young-pyo, who had been supported by strong defense, wavered in the 5th. In the top of the 5th, with NC trailing 1-4, leadoff hitter Davidson reached base with a double down the right-field line. Kim Hyung-jun then hit a curveball inside the plate for a large two-run double to deep left-center field, cutting the deficit to one run. Kim Hyung-jun advanced to third on a ground ball by pinch-hitter Oh Young-soo and scored on Kim Ju-won's infield single. For KT, it was regrettable that third baseman Heo Kyung-min failed to field the ball cleanly on the first attempt. NC closed the gap to 3-4.

NC eventually tied the game. In the top of the 6th, leadoff hitter Park Min-woo drew a walk and stole second base. Park advanced to third on a ground ball by Park Geon-woo and scored on a ground ball by Lee Woo-seong to first base. The score was tied 4-4.

KT responded in the bottom of the 7th. Leadoff hitter Hilliard, facing the new pitcher Ryu Jin-wook, hit the first pitch for a single to left field. Kim Min-hyuk's batted ball dropped just foul near the left-field line for a hit. Kim Sang-soo then hit a sacrifice bunt, creating a one-out, runners-on-second-and-third situation.

From that point, Ryu Jin-wook lost control significantly. He hit Heo Kyung-min and Bae Jeong-dae consecutively with inside high pitches. Lee Jung-hoon also drew a walk, resulting in two consecutive bases-loaded walks, giving KT a 6-4 lead. Choi Won-jun added an RBI with a sacrifice fly to right field, sealing the lead.

With KT leading 7-4, Park Young-hyun entered in the 9th and pitched a scoreless inning, earning his 10th save of the season.

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*This content was translated by AI.