'Bullpen 6 innings, 10 runs allowed' — KT washes away the nightmare of a two-game losing streak! The manager beams with joy: "Son Dong-hyun, Han Seung-hyeok, and Park Young-hyun protected the team's victory" [Suwon]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) praised the bullpen for its rare scoreless performance in the late innings.

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

With this win, KT erased the nightmare of a two-game losing streak in Pohang and improved to 26 wins, 1 tie, and 18 losses, once again closing in on the first-place Samsung Lions (27 wins, 1 tie, 17 losses). Meanwhile, NC, now in a four-game losing streak, fell to 18 wins, 1 tie, and 26 losses, failing to escape last place. Ace Go Young-pyo held strong for six innings, allowing five hits and two walks (one walk and one hit-by-pitch), striking out four while surrendering four earned runs. The offense dominated NC by drawing nine walks and hits and hitting eight total hits.

Sam Hilliard led the lineup with three hits in five at-bats and two runs scored; Kim Min-hyeok contributed three hits in four at-bats, one RBI, and two runs; Choi Won-jun added one hit in two at-bats, three RBIs, and two walks; and Heo Kyung-min delivered one hit in two at-bats, one RBI, and two runs.

The turning point came in the bottom of the seventh inning when both teams were tied 4-4. Ryu Jin-wook took the mound and immediately allowed consecutive hits to Sam Hilliard and Kim Min-hyeok. Kim Sang-su then laid down a precise bunt toward first base, advancing runners to second and third. From that moment, Ryu Jin-wook began to falter.

Heo Kyung-min and Bae Jeong-dae reached base on Ryu Jin-wook's fastball, resulting in a walk-off run. Pinch-hitter Lee Jung-hoon, facing a 1-ball-2-strike count, threw three consecutive balls to add another run. Choi Won-jun then hit a sharp fly ball to right field against reliever Lim Ji-min, driving in one more run.

The bullpen remained solid. In contrast, during a midweek game against Samsung Lions at Pohang Baseball Stadium, KT's relievers had surrendered 10 runs over six innings, contributing to the team's losing streak. But this time was different. With the game tied, Son Dong-hyun entered and pitched a perfect inning on just 10 pitches, allowing no baserunners and securing his second win of the season. Han Seung-hyeok held the eighth inning on only four pitches, and Park Young-hyun closed out the ninth with one hit allowed, no walks, one strikeout, and a scoreless inning, earning his 10th save of the season.

After the game, manager Lee Kang-cheol explained, "We built momentum early with timely hits from Hilliard, Kim Min-hyeok, Heo Kyung-min, and Choi Won-jun. Although we allowed a tying run, our batters in the seventh inning maintained focus and seized the lead. Choi Won-jun, Hilliard, and Kim Min-hyeok led the offense effectively."

He continued, "Starting pitcher Go Young-pyo fulfilled his role well, and relievers Son Dong-hyun, Han Seung-hyeok, and Park Young-hyun protected the team's victory with scoreless innings. I want to thank the fans for their enthusiastic support until the very end."

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*This content was translated by AI.