'Return to First Division → Lotte's 10-Run Explosion': The 'Han Dong-hee Effect' Acknowledged by the Manager, Now It's Yoon Dong-hee's Turn to Lead Off [Incheon Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

"There is a certain weight to it."

With Han Dong-hee (27, Lotte Giants) returning, the lineup exploded for 10 runs, delivering a victory to the team. Kim Tae-hyung (59), Lotte's General Manager, wore a satisfied smile. Will this be the turning point for Lotte, currently sitting in ninth place?

On the 16th, Lotte secured a 10-6 victory in an away game against the SSG Landers at the SSG Landers Field in Incheon. After falling behind, they rallied with five runs in the fifth inning to take the lead, then added four more in the eighth to seal the win. Their ability to generate 10 runs on 12 hits also stood out.

Han Dong-hee was at the center of it all. Having been sidelined on the 22nd of last month due to a strain of the internal oblique muscle in his right side, Han immediately stepped in as the cleanup hitter upon his return on the 16th. He went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored, effectively serving as a crucial link between batters.

Third-hitter Victor Reyes went 2-for-4 with a walk, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Fifth-hitter Na Seung-yeop hit two home runs (with two walks), recording three RBIs and three runs. Sixth-hitter Jeon Min-jae also hit a bases-loaded home run, securing a thrilling victory.

Go Seung-min and Na Seung-yeop, who had been suspended from play due to controversy during spring training, have returned, and now Han Dong-hee is back as well, making the lineup even more solid. With Hwang Seong-bin and Go Seung-min setting the table, and Reyes, Han Dong-hee, and Na Seung-yeop joining the lineup, the batting order has become even more difficult for opposing pitchers to handle. Yoon Dong-hee, who had suffered a hip injury, also returned to the field today.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung spoke cautiously to reporters ahead of the SSG game on the 17th, saying, "There is certainly more weight to it now. With Dong-hee and the other Dong-hee back, there is a sense of weight, but we need to see how it plays out. Batting form fluctuates."

Lotte set their starting lineup for the day as follows: Yoon Dong-hee (center field), Go Seung-min (second base), Reyes (left field), Han Dong-hee (designated hitter), Na Seung-yeop (first base), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), Son Ho-young (right field), Son Seong-bin (catcher), and Park Seung-wook (third base). Park Se-woong will start on the mound.

Like Han Dong-hee the previous day, Yoon Dong-hee immediately took on the responsibility of leading off. Manager Kim explained, "There was no suitable candidate to lead off. Since the opposing starter is a left-hander, we decided to put Yoon Dong-hee in that spot."

The team's batting average remains in eighth place at 0.259. Moreover, the bullpen situation is not ideal. The lineup needs to generate more power. Manager Kim stated, "A larger score difference would reduce the burden on middle relievers. The middle relief is not as good as last year. (Jung) Cheol-won and (Kim) Won-jung are not performing as well as last year. (Kim) Kang-hyun and (Hyun) Do-hoon have good control and breaking balls to some extent, but (Park) Jung-min's control is still inconsistent. Many games have ended with walks. If the lineup explodes more, we can go with less burden; if it remains tight, it will be a difficult game."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.