"If you believe in us and endure with us..." LG Captain's faith was justified! 'Oh Ji-hwan, Hong Chang-gi, Shin Min-jae' welcome names in weekly batting average top 30

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins captain Park Hae-min (36) expressed his apology to fans and his trust in teammates following a dramatic victory.

Park Hae-min started as the second batter and center fielder in the game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil on the 24th, leading LG to a 6-4 victory with a three-run home run to the right field in the bottom of the 9th with two outs and runners on first and second.

It was the only home run hit by an LG batter last week. Thanks to this, LG finished the week with three wins and two losses, narrowing the gap to the first-place Samsung Lions (28 wins, 1 draw, 18 losses) to just 0.5 games.

Since May, LG has felt the absence of its key pitchers and batters acutely. Closer Yoo Young-chan underwent elbow surgery, and the returns of Moon Bo-kyung and Moon Sung-ju have been delayed. Despite gathering all available resources, LG's team ERA in May was 5.34 (7th in the league) and batting average was 0.250 (9th in the league), clearly showing everyone was exhausted.

Consequently, the team needed to make choices and focus. In 20 games in May, there were six blowout losses by five runs or more, and when games got out of hand, the team did not hesitate to substitute starting players. LG fans, unlike last year, also began leaving the stadium early when the score gap widened significantly. The manager was the first to bow his head. LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) said before the game on the 24th, regarding the frequent blowout losses, "Who would want to come watch such a game? I am certainly sorry for that."

The captain's heart was equally troubled watching fans leave from the outfield. Park Hae-min calmly said, "I saw the manager's interview, and I think fans must have felt quite frustrated. Last year, when we won, we often heard terms like 'refreshing baseball,' 'exciting baseball,' and 'Mega Twin Sports,' but we couldn't deliver that."

He continued, "The players are also aware of this. It is truly shameful to see fans leaving like that. However, I think this is a time to endure, and when we get a chance to win, we will try to win somehow." He added, "If fans believe in us and endure with us, I believe the day will come when we can play exciting baseball again," and asked for their support.

This included trust in his teammates, both seniors and juniors. Unlike last year, veteran batters this year have struggled to improve their batting. However, the championship captain believes they will improve soon.

Park Hae-min said firmly, "I think if veterans waver, the team wavers. Our performance is not what fans expect, but I think (Park) Dong-won, (Oh) Ji-hwan, and I are all improving our batting."

He further added, "Especially at times like this, I try to lead the young players well. Dong-won reportedly told the juniors to go get a meal, and (Im) Chan-kyu, as the pitching captain, does the same. Hong Chang-gi and Ji-hwan are the same. The veterans are fulfilling the roles they should as leaders, and I am truly grateful as captain."

Park Hae-min's belief that they would gradually recover proved correct. Even in today's dramatic victory, the struggling veterans played a significant role. Hong Chang-gi recorded three hits, two walks, and two runs scored in three at-bats, including a walk after a full-count battle in the 9th with two outs.

Oh Ji-hwan went 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored, while Shin Min-jae went 1-for-2 with one walk, achieving multiple on-base opportunities. The day before (on the 23rd), Park Dong-won contributed with two hits, two RBIs, one walk, and the game-winning hit, enabling a winning series.

In weekly statistics, Oh Ji-hwan posted a batting average of 0.400 (6 hits in 15 at-bats), one RBI, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.000; Hong Chang-gi recorded a batting average of 0.357 (5 hits in 14 at-bats), two RBIs, and an OPS of 0.929; and Shin Min-jae hit 0.357 (5 hits in 14 at-bats), one RBI, one stolen base, and an OPS of 0.795, making their names appear in the league's top 30 batting averages for the first time in a while.

Park Hae-min revealed behind-the-scenes details, saying, "We also have resources like (Moon) Bo-kyung and Sung-ju who will improve. The pitchers are also getting better. (When batting is struggling like this) I think fielders need to help pitchers with defense. We must definitely cut off runners when the opportunity arises so pitchers can reduce their pitch count. I told the fielders about this part the day before yesterday (on the 22nd)."

He emphasized, "If we maintain these efforts, endure, and hold the line, we will definitely have games like today (on the 24th). If we continue like this, I believe the time will come when we regain our baseball."

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*This content was translated by AI.