'Escape from four-game losing streak' temporarily on hold; SSG-Lotte ends in 11-inning tie, 2-2... 'Joint QS' starting pitchers' efforts fade [Incheon Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

After a fierce battle, no winner emerged. SSG Landers finished the game satisfied with avoiding a losing streak. Lotte Giants concluded the series with two wins and one tie, remaining undefeated.

On the 18th, SSG played Lotte Giants in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game at Incheon SSG Landers Field, ending in a 2-2 draw after 11 innings of intense play.

SSG, currently in a four-game losing streak, recorded 27 wins, 39 losses, and 2 ties, maintaining an 8th-place finish by holding a 0.5-game lead over 9th-place Lotte (26 wins, 39 losses, 2 ties).

SSG's lineup was arranged as follows: Park Sung-han (shortstop), Jung Jun-jae (second baseman), Choi Jeong (designated hitter), Jeon Ui-san (first baseman), Kim Jae-hwan (left fielder), Guillermo Heredia (right fielder), Go Myeong-jun (third baseman), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), and Shin Beom-soo (catcher). Starting pitcher was Shota Takeda.

Lotte's starting lineup for the day consisted of Hwang Sung-bin (center fielder), Ko Seung-min (designated hitter), Victor Reyes (left fielder), Han Dong-hee (third baseman), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), Son Ho-young (second baseman), Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder), and Park Geon-woo (catcher). Alvin Rodriguez started on the mound.

While Lotte enjoyed a favorable atmosphere, SSG made strategic changes by moving Jeon Ui-san to the fourth spot, Kim Jae-hwan to fifth, and Heredia to sixth in the batting order.

SSG struck first. In the bottom of the first, Choi Jeong connected with a 139 mph sweeper on a 0-2 count, sending the ball over the left-field fence for a solo home run. This was his 17th home run of the season and extended the all-time KBO career home run record to 535.

Reyes drew a walk against Takeda, who had been pitching a perfect game through four innings with two outs, marking Lotte's first baserunner of the day. Han Dong-hee then immediately shifted the momentum. He powerfully pulled a high fastball from Takeda, which was thrown above the strike zone at 145 mph, resulting in a two-run, go-ahead home run over the left-field wall. This was his fourth home run of the season.

SSG was not to be outdone. Heredia stepped up. In the bottom of the fifth with no outs and no runners on base, he hit a curveball from Rodriguez over the fence for his 12th home run of the season, tying the game at 2-2.

The seventh inning brought starkly contrasting fortunes for both teams. SSG replaced their quality start pitcher, Shota Takeda, with Moon Seung-won. Moon gave up a walk to leadoff batter Na Seung-yeop but induced a ground ball from Jeon Min-jae to the shortstop. However, Park Sung-han fumbled the ball, failing to make a throw, resulting in no outs and runners on first and second.

Next, second baseman Jung Jun-jae failed to execute. On a ground ball hit by Son Ho-young to the shortstop, Jung Jun-jae received the throw at second base and attempted to throw to first, but the ball bounced, and first baseman Jeon Ui-san could not field it, causing the double play opportunity to collapse.

Lotte brought in Noh Jin-hyuk in place of Yoon Dong-hee. With one out and runners on first and third, they aimed to score and take the lead, but SSG ultimately prevailed. Moon Seung-won threw a fastball low and inside even with a 2-0 count against Noh Jin-hyuk. Noh's hit went toward the second baseman. Jung Jun-jae, who had previously shown frustration, along with shortstop Park Sung-han and first baseman Jeon Ui-san, executed a double play, ending the inning without allowing a run.

Both teams struggled to score. SSG started the bottom of the seventh inning favorably with a walk by Jeon Ui-san, but pinch runner Ahn Sang-hyun was thrown out attempting to steal second base. Kim Jae-hwan later hit a double, adding to the missed opportunity. Heredia then grounded out to the third baseman, and Go Myeong-jun struck out, leaving the inning scoreless.

Lotte faced similar frustration. In the top of the eighth with one out, Hwang Sung-bin reached first on a single to left field and attempted to steal second base. However, he slipped while returning to second base during a pickoff attempt and was called out. Coincidentally, Ko Seung-min immediately followed with a hit, but SSG brought in Jo Byung-hyun with two outs and retired Reyes on a fly ball to left field, preventing Lotte from scoring.

Jo Byung-hyun, who also appeared in the top of the ninth, retired the side in order. SSG then faced the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Choi Jeong drew a walk. Pinch hitter Oh Tae-gon and Kim Sung-uk followed but were retired on fly balls, sending the game into extra innings.

Both teams' offenses remained ineffective in the 10th inning, and the game moved to the final 11th. Lee Geon-wook, who entered in the top of the 11th, gave up a walk to Reyes with one out but retired Han Dong-hee on a fly ball to left field. However, he allowed a hit to Park Seung-wook, putting SSG in a dangerous situation with two outs and runners on first and third. Still, no runs scored. Jeon Min-jae was retired on a pop fly to the second baseman, passing the opportunity to the lineup.

In the bottom of the 11th, Kim Won-joong was retired on a fly ball to right field. During the pitching, he complained of pain and was replaced by Jeong Cheol-won. Jeong Cheol-won retired Park Sung-han on a swinging strikeout and sent Jung Jun-jae out on a fly ball to left field, ending the game.

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*This content was translated by AI.