'Removal of 6 Players and Coaches' Shocks Lotte: Does It Work? KIA Defeated, 3-Game Losing Streak Broken with 'Kim Jin-wook's 6 Innings, Quality Start' [Gwangju On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Did the shock of removing six players and coaches from the first-division roster in a single day pay off? The Lotte Giants, bolstered by a strong performance from starting pitcher Kim Jin-woo (24) and a well-coordinated lineup, managed to reset the series against the KIA Tigers.

On the 3rd, Lotte defeated KIA 8-3 in a regular-season away game at the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League. With this victory, Lotte escaped a three-game losing streak, improving their record to 22 wins, 1 tie, and 31 losses. Meanwhile, KIA, who split the series with one win and one loss, remained in fourth place with a record of 29 wins, 1 tie, and 26 losses.

Before the game, Lotte removed six individuals from the first-division roster: first-division pitching coach Kim Sang-jin, first-division battery coach Baek Yong-hwan, captain Jeon Jun-woo, Jung Cheol-won, Yu Gangnam, and Kim Dong-hyun. They were replaced by Kim Hyun-wook, a Futures League pitching coach, and Yoo Deok-han, a Futures League battery coach, along with Jeong Bo-geun, Jo Se-jin, Choi Hang, and Lee Jin-ha.

This was a move to revitalize the team's atmosphere. Before the game, Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung explained the lineup changes: "Even our veteran players have been unable to play recently, causing their condition to deteriorate. We wanted to give them about ten days to recharge. As for the coaches, what could they have done wrong? Still, we felt it was better to bring about a change in atmosphere than to continue as is."

Lotte players gathered in front of the dugout before the game to reaffirm their resolve, a spirit that was evident throughout the match. The outcome of the starting pitcher duel was decisive. Lotte's Kim Jin-wook pitched six innings, allowing three hits (one home run), one walk, and striking out three batters while surrendering three earned runs, achieving a Quality Start (QS)—defined as six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs—to secure his third win (with three losses). In contrast, KIA's Hwang Dong-ha lasted only three innings, allowing six hits (one home run), three walks, and striking out two batters while giving up five earned runs (four unearned), failing to meet expectations and recording his first loss of the season (five wins, one hold).

In the lineup, leadoff hitter Hwang Sung-bin opened the door with four at-bats, three hits, two RBIs, one walk, one run, and two stolen bases. Victor Reyes and Na Seung-yeop each recorded one hit and one RBI in four at-bats, delivering timely hits when needed. Han Tae-yang contributed with two hits, one RBI, one walk, and one run in four at-bats. Jo Se-jin, who was called up that day, hit his first home run in his 99th at-bat after four years in the league.

Lotte's lineup for the day was: Hwang Sung-bin (center field), Go Seung-min (right field), Victor Reyes (designated hitter), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Son Ho-young (third baseman), Han Tae-yang (second baseman), Jo Se-jin (left field), Son Seong-bin (catcher), and Kim Se-min (shortstop). Kim Jin-wook was the starting pitcher.

KIA countered with the following lineup: Park Jae-hyun (left field), Adelin Rodriguez (first baseman), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Na Sung-beom (right field), Kim Sun-bin (designated hitter), Han Jun-su (catcher), Kim Ho-ryung (center field), Park Min (shortstop), and Kim Gyu-seong (second baseman). Hwang Dong-ha was the starting pitcher.

Lotte set the tone early. In the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Hwang Sung-bin hit a ground ball to the right side and then stole second base. At that moment, Han Jun-su's throw went awry, allowing Hwang Sung-bin to advance to third base. Go Seung-min's fly ball to left field scored Hwang Sung-bin. In the top of the second, the leadoff hitter again reached base. Han Tae-yang hit a hit to left-center field and stole second base, and Son Seong-bin drew a walk to extend the opportunity. Hwang Sung-bin then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring one run to make it 2-0.

They continued to attack the shaky Hwang Dong-ha. Go Seung-min drew a walk to load the bases, and Reyes earned a bases-loaded walk to add another run. Lotte led 3-0.

KIA managed to score one run. In the bottom of the second, Na Sung-beom hit a ground ball to right field, and Kim Sun-bin drew a walk. Han Jun-su then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring one run. In the third inning, players born in 2003 showcased their strength. In the top of the third with two outs, Jo Se-jin hit a solo home run to left-center field. In the bottom of the third with two outs, Kim Do-young responded with a one-run home run to left-center field.

Lotte extended their lead. In the top of the fourth, leadoff hitter Kim Se-min hit a ground ball to left field, Hwang Sung-bin bunted for a hit, and Reyes hit a ground ball to the infield, creating a one-out, bases-loaded situation. On the following ground ball by Na Seung-yeop, the runner from third base scored.

For KIA, the bottom of the seventh was disappointing. Leadoff hitter Han Jun-su reached base with a hit to left-center field, and Kim Ho-ryung followed with a sacrifice fly to right-center field, scoring one run. However, Kim Ho-ryung's attempt to steal third base failed due to a pickoff attempt by pitcher Park Jeong-min, and no further hits materialized, leaving them with just one run.

In the top of the eighth, KIA's bullpen faltered significantly. Relief pitcher Han Jae-seung walked Han Tae-yang on a straight pitch. Kim Dong-hyuk reached base on a ground ball to third base, changing only the runner at first. Son Seong-bin was hit by a pitch and walked, and the new pitcher, Kim Beom-su, walked Kim Se-min, once again loading the bases. Hwang Sung-bin then drew four balls to score on a bases-loaded walk, extending Lotte's lead to 6-3.

In the bottom of the eighth, Lotte strengthened their defense by replacing Kim Won-joong on the mound, Park Seung-wook at first base, Jeon Min-jae at shortstop, and Jang Du-seong in center field. Kim Won-joong retired the top of the order—Adelin Rodriguez, Kim Do-young, and Na Sung-beom—perfectly with just five pitches.

Lotte sealed the victory with two runs in the top of the ninth. With one out, Son Ho-young hit a double down the left-field line, and Han Tae-yang hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring one run. Han Tae-yang stole second base, and Son Seong-bin drew a walk, putting runners on first and second. Jeon Min-jae's ground ball hit third baseman Kim Do-young and trickled back, scoring another run. Lotte led 8-3.

Hyun Do-hoon pitched a perfect ninth inning, allowing Lotte to escape their losing streak and secure their first win of June.

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*This content was translated by AI.