'Not even a save situation,' ace closer Jo Byung-hyun, 'four days of rest followed by two consecutive appearances' still leaves a bitter aftertaste [Incheon field]

*This content was translated by AI.

An ace closer was called upon in a situation that was not even a save opportunity, appearing on two consecutive days. Yet, there was no special gain, leaving an even more bitter aftertaste.

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

While the five-game losing streak was avoided, the result was not one to celebrate. SSG now heads on a long road trip to Changwon with a hollow outcome.

The balance between pitching and hitting has completely collapsed. While suffering two losses to the Samsung Lions, SSG scored 14 runs but allowed 17. In the game on the 13th, they led 6-0 through the top of the 5th inning, but surrendered 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th, 3 in the bottom of the 6th, and 2 in the bottom of the 7th, suffering a painful 6-7 comeback loss. In the game on the 14th, they led 7-3 but allowed 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th and 5 in the bottom of the 6th, suffering another 8-10 comeback loss.

Even in the first game against Lotte played in Incheon, they scored 6 runs but allowed 10, leading to a collapse. The bullpen's consecutive breakdowns were more painful than the starting pitcher's struggles.

The momentum completely changed in the following two games. In the game on the 17th, starting pitcher Kim Geon-woo pitched 6 innings allowing only 2 runs, while Mun Seung-won and Noh Kyung-eun each held the line for one scoreless inning. However, the lineup managed only 1 run despite 12 hits.

It was difficult to create a lead situation in the 9th inning. Closer Jo Byung-hyun, who had been inactive since his appearance on the 12th, entered in the top of the 9th with the team trailing 1-2 against Lotte. The plan was to hold the line without allowing a run, and if the team could take the lead in the bottom of the 9th, they could secure a clean victory; even if they only tied the game, they would hand over the ball to another pitcher from the 10th inning. This is a deployment pattern often seen when a closer is not being overworked.

As expected, Jo Byung-hyun retired the side in order with three strikeouts in one inning, but the lineup failed to score even a single run in the bottom of the 9th with one out and runners on first and third, leaving their heads bowed.

The SSG pitching staff had no flaws in today's game. Starting pitcher Shota Takeda pitched 6 innings allowing 2 runs, achieving his second quality start of the season (6+ innings with 3 or fewer earned runs), and four relievers held the line scoreless for 4 innings, but the lineup managed only 3 hits. The only consolation was that Choi Jeong and Guillermo Heredia each hit a home run, pushing the game into extra innings and narrowly avoiding defeat.

Even today, the closer was deployed despite not having a lead. In fact, Jo Byung-hyun was called upon even earlier than expected, in the top of the 8th with two outs. With the score tied 2-2 in the top of the 8th, Noh Kyung-eun picked off runner Hwang Sung-bin with a pickoff throw, but then allowed a hit to Ko Seung-min, prompting the manager to bring in Jo Byung-hyun. Jo retired Victor Reyes with a fly out to left field, closing out the 8th inning.

Jo Byung-hyun appeared again in the 9th, giving up a walk on a straight pitch to Na Seung-yeop with one out, which caused some wobble, but he then held the line without further trouble for the rest of the 9th. Nevertheless, the lineup failed to capitalize on opportunities in the bottom of the 9th, and the game eventually headed into extra innings. Jo Byung-hyun's duty ended there.

It has become a recurring situation where the closer is deployed in non-save situations. There was no exception during the 13th-game losing streak. This is the reason why Jo Byung-hyun, who recorded 30 saves last year at age 30, currently ranks 9th in the league with only 8 saves this season.

The decisive reason is that when the lineup hits well, the mound collapses, and when the pitcher pitches well, the lineup falls silent, leading to a prolonged losing streak. This starkly illustrates the bitter reality of SSG, which is showing the typical pattern of a "house that can't win."

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*This content was translated by AI.