*This content was translated by AI.
The Lotte Giants defeated the Kiwoom Heroes to secure their first five-game winning streak of the season. The three-run home run by outfielder Kim Dong-hyun (22), nicknamed "Sajik Murakami," proved decisive in the outcome.
On the 21st, Lotte defeated Kiwoom 6-3 in the final game of a three-game weekend series at Gocheok Sky Dome, located in Guro-gu, Seoul, in the "2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League." Lotte held off Kiwoom's persistent comeback attempt while leading 5-0 to secure the victory.
With this win, Lotte extended their winning streak to five games, following their last victory against the SSG Landers on the 16th. Lotte's five-game winning streak comes approximately 11 months after their previous such streak, which ran from the July 22 Kiwoom game at Gocheok to the July 29 NC game at Sajik. Meanwhile, Kiwoom bowed their heads after suffering six consecutive losses since their June 16 match against the Daegu Samsung Lions, ending the week with a winless record.
Lotte's starting lineup for the day featured Hwang Seong-bin (center fielder), Ko Seung-min (second baseman), Rayeyes (left fielder), Han Dong-hee (third baseman), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder), Kim Dong-hyun (designated hitter), and Son Seong-bin (catcher). Jeremy Wisely started on the mound for Lotte.
In response, Kiwoom set their batting order with Seo Geon-chang (second baseman), Kim Woong-bin (third baseman), Ahn Chi-hong (designated hitter), Hyura (left fielder), Choo Jae-hyun (center fielder), Park Chan-hyuk (right fielder), Eo Jun-seo (shortstop), Choi Ju-hwan (first baseman), and Kim Dong-heon (catcher). Bae Dong-hyun took the mound as Kiwoom's starting pitcher.
Lotte took the lead first. In the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Hwang Seong-bin reached base with a hit to center field, and Yoon Dong-hee followed with an RBI single with two outs to make it 1-0.
Lotte extended their lead further in the fourth inning. Han Dong-hee hit a double to left-center field, and Jeon Min-jae followed with an RBI single to left-center field, making it 2-0. With one out and runners on second and third bases after Yoon Dong-hee's double to right field, eighth hitter Kim Dong-hyun connected on the fifth pitch, launching a massive 115-meter three-run home run over the right-field fence to make it 5-0.
Kiwoom managed only one run in the bottom of the fourth with the bases loaded. After one out, consecutive hits by Hyura and Choo Jae-hyun, followed by a hit-by-pitch from Park Chan-hyuk, loaded the bases. Eo Jun-seo then scored a run with a sacrifice fly to center field. Choi Ju-hwan drew a walk, but Kim Dong-heon struck out to end the threat.
In the bottom of the seventh, leadoff pinch-hitter Ju Seong-won was called out on strikes, but Seo Geon-chang reached base with a hit to left-center field after fouling off the first pitch. Kim Woong-bin then hit a single to left field after a six-pitch at-bat, advancing the runners to first and second base.
With two outs and runners on second and third bases following a groundout by third baseman Yeo Dong-wook, fourth hitter Hyura hit a two-run single to center field on a 1-ball, 2-strike count with the fifth pitch, scoring two runs. Kiwoom added two runs in the seventh inning alone, narrowing the score to 3-5 and launching a fierce comeback attempt.
However, Lotte sealed the game in the top of the ninth. After one out, Yoon Dong-hee hit a double, Kim Dong-hyun followed with a hit to right field, and Noh Jin-hyuk grounded into a fielder's choice to second base, scoring one run to put the game away.
Starting pitcher Wisely of Lotte pitched four innings, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out five and giving up one run before handing the mound over. The relief pitchers who followed—Park Jeong-min, Hyun Do-hoon, Jeong Cheol-won, Kim Won-jung, and Choi Jun-yong—held Kiwoom's comeback attempt to just two earned runs, securing the team victory. Offensively, Han Dong-hee and Yoon Dong-hee, along with Kim Dong-hyun, each recorded two hits, contributing significantly to the win.
In contrast, Kiwoom's starting pitcher Bae Dong-hyun allowed six hits (including one home run) over five innings and surrendered five earned runs, leaving him with a disappointing performance. Offensively, Hyura fought hard, including a two-run RBI single in the seventh inning, but his efforts were overshadowed by the team's loss.
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*This content was translated by AI.
