'Game-winning hit + 2 RBIs' Kang Hyun-min's powerful return: "I'm glad I finished well without pain" [Jamsil on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

He made a powerful presence from the very first day.

KT Wiz's Kang Hyun-min (23) had a brilliant return in his first-division game after 62 days, recording two RBIs including a game-winning hit.

On the 16th at Seoul Jamsil Stadium, Kang Hyun-min was immediately entered into the lineup as the third hitter and right fielder against the Doosan Bears. He was retired by a third baseman's fly ball in his first at-bat in the top of the first inning. In the top of the third, with the score tied 1-1, one out, and runners on second and third, he hit a third baseman's grounder, bringing in runner Kwon Dong-jin to score. It was the game-winning, go-ahead hit of the day. KT quickly extended its lead to 4-1 with a two-run home run by Heilied.

In the top of the fifth, he also hit an RBI single. He drove in a run with a left-field single off opposing starter Choi Seung-yong, pushing the score to 5-1. Kang Hyun-min was replaced by pinch-runner Ahn Chi-young and finished his return game with one hit in three at-bats and two RBIs.

Kang Hyun-min injured his right hamstring while running the bases in a game against Changwon NC Dinos on April 15. After undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, he announced his recovery by recording four hits in seven at-bats in Futures League games against Samsung Lions held in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do on the 13th and 14th.

Including today's game, his season stats are a .364 batting average (20 hits in 55 at-bats), three home runs, and 13 RBIs in 15 games. Kang Hyun-min's addition to the KT lineup, which leads the team with a .284 batting average this season, is expected to give the team wings. Today, KT's offense exploded evenly across the lineup, securing a 6-2 victory. KT starting pitcher Ko Young-pyo (35), who earned the win, also welcomed the return of the key hitter, saying, "It's clear that opposing pitchers feel pressure now that Kang Hyun-min is back."

After the game, Kang Hyun-min said, "I was absent from the lineup for a long time due to injury, so I felt sorry for the team and stepped onto the field with the mindset of running even harder. I'm glad that in my first game back after rehabilitation, I was able to finish both offense and defense without any pain."

He continued, "I'm happy that I was able to contribute to the victory by driving in runs in crucial hitting situations. Now that I'm back on the field and the race for the standings is fierce, I want to help the team climb to a higher position."

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*This content was translated by AI.