'10G Batting Average 0.368' Hong Chang-gi, Still Showing Class! "I Wanted to Repay the Manager Who Trusted Me"

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins' 'On-Base Machine' Hong Chang-gi (33) showcased his sharp batting form and led his team to victory. Having completely shaken off his early-season slump, he has now proven his class to a significant degree.

On the 14th, Hong Chang-gi started as the leadoff hitter and right fielder in the final game of the weekend three-game series against the Lotte Giants at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul. He delivered a stellar performance with 3 hits in 5 at-bats, 2 RBIs, and 1 walk, leading the team to a 6-1 comeback victory. Completing four consecutive games with at least one on-base, he displayed scorching form with a 10-game batting average of 0.368 (14 hits in 38 at-bats).

Hong Chang-gi started the game with a lively mood. In the bottom of the third inning, he hit a sharp grounder for a double, warming up. In the bottom of the sixth, he drew a walk with his signature eye for the strike zone, reached base, and then scored a tying run with 1-1 in the following at-bat.

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The highlight came in the later stages of the game. In the bottom of the seventh, Hong Chang-gi hit a double down the left-field line, bringing in a runner to take the lead. Even after the team extended their lead to 4-1, he hit a go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, completely dismantling Lotte.

With this performance, Hong Chang-gi recorded his fourth three-hit game of the season. Notably, he hit an impressive 7 hits in just this weekend's three-game series against Lotte. His batting average, which had dropped to the high teens in the early part of the season, has now surged vertically to 0.255, clearly demonstrating his full recovery.

LG Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) also praised Hong Chang-gi after the game, saying, "Hong Chang-gi led the entire lineup perfectly with three hits and two RBIs, including the go-ahead hit."

Hong Chang-gi, who finished the game, shared his thoughts on the victory: "I feel so good to be able to wrap up the week with a winning series. Thanks to the passionate support from fans who visited the stadium, we were able to secure the comeback win."

He further reflected on the at-bat that proved decisive in the later stages of the game: "I was disappointed that I couldn't swing decisively in previous opportunities. So, I decided to aim boldly at a fastball in the next at-bat, which led to a good result."

He also added, "Even during the difficult early part of the season, the manager continued to trust me and made sure I got rest. I felt very strongly that I had to repay that expectation. Going forward, I will do my best in every game to meet the expectations of both the fans and the manager."

In fact, despite Hong Chang-gi's batting slump throughout the season, Manager Yeom never criticized or pressured him even once. He waited without even removing Hong from the first-team roster. In a meeting with reporters in May, he had already shown his trust by saying, "(Personally) this must be a very important time for him, and he must be feeling the most frustrated. He is a hitter who will inevitably bounce back."

In this situation, Hong Chang-gi has finally overcome his ups and downs and regained his form. It is clear that his hot bat will be a great help to LG.

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*This content was translated by AI.