'10 wins, 1 loss' Saturday Hanwha does not falter; Noh Si-hwan's 8th-inning tying hit → Heo In-seo's go-ahead hit → Noh Si-hwan's 9th-inning go-ahead two-run homer... Lotte defeated 7-2 in a comeback victory, securing a 'winning position' [Busan on-site review]

*This content was translated by AI.

There was nothing to fear for Hanwha Eagles on Saturday. Although the opposing starter pitched far better than expected and allowed no runs through the 7th inning, Hanwha managed to turn the tables in the 8th, once again proving itself to be the 'King of Saturdays'.

Hanwha secured a 7-2 comeback victory over Lotte Giants in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League away game at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 6th, thanks to Noh Si-hwan's performance, which included a two-run tying single in the top of the 8th and a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the 9th.

With two consecutive wins, Hanwha improved to 29 wins, 27 losses, and 1 tie, maintaining 5th place. Meanwhile, Lotte, now on a three-game losing streak, sat at 22 wins, 34 losses, and 1 tie, remaining in 9th place.

Just as the day before, all 23,200 seats were filled once again. The game began in a hot atmosphere.

Hanwha lined up O Jae-won (center fielder), Yonatan Peraza (designated hitter), Moon Hyun-bin (left fielder), Noh Si-hwan (third baseman), Kim Tae-yeon (first baseman), Heo In-seo (catcher), Lee Do-yoon (second baseman), Lee Jin-young (right fielder), and Sim Woo-jun (shortstop). Will Hernandez started on the mound.

Lotte countered with Hwang Seong-bin (center fielder), Ko 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). Lee Min-seok was the starting pitcher.

Lotte had removed Lee Seung-heon, who had pitched on two consecutive days, from the first division and called up Jung Sung-jong in preparation for Lee Min-seok potentially collapsing early. However, Lee Min-seok's pitching far exceeded expectations.

In the 1st inning, after walking O Jae-won and allowing a double to Moon Hyun-bin, Lee Min-seok struck out Peraza and Noh Si-hwan with deceptive pitches and retired Kim Tae-yeon on an infield grounder, starting the game without allowing any runs.

From the 2nd through the 5th innings, Lee Min-seok allowed baserunners in every inning but remained steady even with runners in scoring position. In the 3rd, with one out and a runner on first, he induced a double play to the third baseman off Moon Hyun-bin. In the 5th, after walking Lee Jin-young and allowing a single to the left field by Sim Woo-jun, he faced a bases-loaded, no-out situation. Catcher Heo In-seo made a sharp throw to catch Lee Jin-young stealing second, and O Jae-won was retired on a double play to the second baseman, continuing his scoreless outing.

Lee Min-seok retired Peraza again with a look strikeout in the 6th, but allowed a hit to Moon Hyun-bin before handing the ball to Kim Won-joong. Kim Won-joong cleanly held off the subsequent batters, preserving the victory condition.

The two runs scored in the 3rd inning proved decisive. Leadoff batter Kim Min-seong reached on a double to the right-center field. With two outs, Ko Seung-min hit a 139 mph slider, with a 2-1 count, over the right-field fence for a 125-meter go-ahead two-run home run.

The 5th inning was a missed opportunity. With one out, Son Seong-bin singled to the left field and Hwang Seong-bin singled to the right field, creating a 1st-and-2nd base opportunity. After Ko Seung-min's fly ball to right field, the situation became 1st-and-3rd with one out. However, Hwang Seong-bin failed to steal second base, and the inning ended without further scoring.

Kim Won-joong, who entered in the 6th, held the line through the 7th, but found himself in trouble in the 8th. Park Jeong-min struggled with his control, walking Sim Woo-jun, O Jae-won, and Peraza in succession, leading to a bases-loaded, no-out crisis.

Hyun Do-hoon, who entered next, retired Moon Hyun-bin with a swinging strikeout, then quickly brought in closer Choi Jun-yong. Unfortunately, this proved to be a misstep. Noh Si-hwan hit a two-run single to center-left field, tying the score at 2-2.

With a hit-and-run play in effect, Kim Tae-yeon swung too hard at a high fastball and was retired on a foul fly to the first baseman, but Heo In-seo followed with a large double to left-center field, bringing two runners home.

In the 9th, the nail was driven into the coffin. Sim Woo-jun reached on a throwing error by third baseman Son Ho-young, then advanced to second on O Jae-won's sacrifice bunt. Peraza's double to center-left field added another run comfortably. Noh Si-hwan then smashed Park Jun-woo's slider, sending it soaring over the left-field fence for a massive 130-meter go-ahead two-run home run. It was his 9th home run of the season, and he drove in four runs alone that day.

Noh Si-hwan led the lineup with two hits in five at-bats, four RBIs, and two runs scored, including a two-run home run. Heo In-seo also recorded a multi-hit game (two hits in four at-bats), adding two RBIs. Peraza (two hits, one RBI, two runs), Moon Hyun-bin (two hits in five at-bats), and Sim Woo-jun (one hit, one walk, two runs) also contributed steadily to the team's victory.

Hanwha starter Hernandez threw 89 pitches over six innings, allowing six hits, one walk, and two earned runs while striking out two batters, yet found himself in a losing position until the lineup managed a comeback in the top of the 8th. Jung Woo-ju, who entered in the 7th and pitched one scoreless inning, recorded his first win of the season (two losses, five holds).

In contrast, Lotte's Lee Min-seok threw 77 pitches over 5⅓ innings, allowing six hits, two walks, and three strikeouts while pitching scoreless, but ultimately took the loss after allowing a comeback in the 8th.

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*This content was translated by AI.