'Two consecutive home runs in an inning' but the commander still trusts the first-round pick: "Kim Seo-jun, Park Ji-sung, Kana-kubo Yuto, and Won Jong-hyun will be used as the winning trio" [Incheon on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

"For the time being, we have a plan to have (Kim) Seo-jun, (Park) Ji-sung, Yuto, and Won Jong-hyun close out games."

Seol Jong-jin (53), manager of Kiwoom Heroes, expressed his confidence in Kim Seo-jun (20), who had just allowed back-to-back home runs the previous day. He also stated that Kim would be utilized as part of the winning trio.

On the 2nd, Kim Seo-jun took the mound in the bottom of the 8th inning at the SSG Landers away game held at Incheon SSG Landers Field, following Raul Alcantara, with his team leading 8-3.

Although he threw a fastball clocked at a top speed of 150 km/h, he was targeted by Choe Jeong with an outside-corner pitch and by Kim Jae-hwan with a low inside-corner fastball, resulting in back-to-back home runs. The three-run lead and save situation vanished in an instant, and Kim Seo-jun was relieved by Kana-kubo Yuto without recording a single out.

Selected in the 7th round of the first round of the 2025 Rookie Draft, Kim wore the Kiwoom uniform but appeared in only four games last year. This season, in 10 games, he has recorded no wins or losses, one hold, and an ERA of 5.68, numbers that are difficult to be satisfied with.

Despite this, Manager Seol continues to show firm belief in Kim Seo-jun. Meeting with reporters before the game on the 3rd, Manager Seol said, "We would have used him even with a three-run lead as per the plan. We were prepared for this. We had already planned to bring in Yuto immediately after." He added, "The result was not good, but Yuto came in and performed well, so it was a good game."

He clearly stated his intention to use Kim as part of the winning trio. Manager Seol conveyed, "For the time being, we have a plan to have Seo-jun, Ji-sung, Yuto, and Won Jong-hyun close out games. (Jo) Young-geun can also be included."

The thinking is that allowing a solo home run is more helpful for feedback than walking in runners to load the bases. He also considered the perspective of Yuto, who received the ball.

Manager Seol stated, "Personally, I find comfort in the fact that it was easier to hand over to Yuto after giving up a home run rather than walking in runners. He likely wanted to pitch better, but the result turned out that way, so there was nothing he could do. I also thought that if two runners had been on base with no outs due to walks, Yuto would have been anxious behind him."

Kiwoom, who had fallen into an eight-game losing streak, drew a sigh of relief with the victory the previous day. Manager Seol said, "I think it will ease the pressure. The players feel the same way. Also, since the batting lineup exploded yesterday, the players seem to have gained more confidence that they can do it. Hyu-ra hit his debut home run, which also improved the atmosphere," expressing his satisfaction.

Today, Kiwoom lined up with Seo Geon-chang (second baseman), An Chi-hong (first baseman), Hyu-ra (designated hitter), Lee Hyung-jong (right fielder), Chu Jae-hyun (left fielder), Yeo Dong-wook (third baseman), Kim Geon-hee (catcher), Kwon Hyuk-bin (shortstop), and Park Chae-wool (center fielder). Kenny Rosenberg, whose contract was extended as a temporary replacement player, will start on the mound.

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*This content was translated by AI.