'Batting average 0.059' Lotte 38-year-old veteran smashes two extra-base hits against Ryu Hyun-jin → 8th spot DH... 'Again' named in starting lineup [Busan field report]

*This content was translated by AI.

They were shut down tightly by Ryu Hyun-jin and lost. Ryu did not allow an earned run in three consecutive games and held the opposition to just three hits. However, Kim Min-seong (38, Lotte Giants), a veteran who was not expected to perform at all, recorded two hits, both of which were extra-base hits, demonstrating active hitting.

On the 5th, Kim Min-seong started as the third baseman and batted fifth in a home game against Hanwha Eagles held at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, going 4-for-2 with one RBI.

He had managed only one hit in 13 games this season. He had been sent to the minor league twice, but no significant rebound seemed to be in sight. His batting average had plummeted to 0.059 with 17 at-bats and one hit.

Kim Min-seong, who was called up again on the 4th, returned with no hits in one at-bat the previous day, but on the 5th, he was placed in the middle of the lineup and started, delivering hitting that exceeded expectations.

Ryu Hyun-jin showcased his prowess as a Lotte killer, pitching well for six innings allowing two unearned runs, securing his fifth consecutive win and tying for first place in wins. The Lotte lineup managed only three hits, and if not for the opponent's unfortunate defensive plays, there might not have been any runs.

However, Kim Min-seong swung his bat fiercely and recorded two hits against Ryu Hyun-jin. What was even more surprising was that both were extra-base hits. His season batting average surged sharply from 0.059 to 0.143.

Kim Min-seong, who had been in a clear downward trend, moved to Lotte via a sign-and-trade deal for a total of 900 million won over 2+1 years ahead of the 2024 season, but the results were unsatisfactory. In his first year, he played 35 games with a batting average of 0.200, and last year he played 96 games and took on a larger role, but he could not make a significant impact with a batting average of 0.243 and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.699.

He continued to struggle this season, mostly appearing as a pinch hitter, but on this day, he left the strongest impression among teammates against Ryu Hyun-jin and was named in the starting lineup again.

Lotte arranged its lineup for the day as follows: Hwang Sung-bin (center fielder), Go Seung-min (second baseman), Victor Reyes (left fielder), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), Jang Du-seong (right fielder), Son Ho-young (third baseman), Kim Min-seong (designated hitter), and Son Seong-bin (catcher). The starting pitcher was Lee Min-seok.

Kim Tae-hyung, the manager, said about Kim Min-seong, "He has his own swing. Rather than following the ball, he executes his own swing at 100%, but we need to watch a bit more how he handles breaking balls."

Lotte has gone 3 wins and 7 losses in their last 10 games, suffering severe slumps and falling to ninth place. The team's batting average is 0.230, placing them just above Kiwoom, the lowest at 0.220. Can Kim Min-seong's rebound provide an opportunity for the team and inject new vitality into the lineup?

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*This content was translated by AI.