'How could they flip it like this!' The secret to LG's late-game resilience, according to manager Yeom Kyung-yeop, was not Austin's bases-loaded home run. "The most important point was..." [Busan]

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) found the key to their dramatic comeback not in Austin Dean's (33) game-winning bases-loaded home run, but elsewhere.

On the 27th, LG secured an 8-7 comeback victory over Lotte Giants at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, thanks to Austin's bases-loaded home run to left field in the bottom of the 8th inning. With this win, LG improved to 48 wins and 28 losses, restoring their win-loss differential to +20 after splitting the first two games. Lotte, currently in 8th place, recorded 32 wins, 2 draws, and 41 losses.

Plagued by continued defensive errors and a struggling lower-order lineup, LG trailed 2-5 through the 6th inning. However, they unleashed a powerful late-game surge, scoring two runs in the bottom of the 7th and four in the bottom of the 8th, ultimately turning the game around. Their focus was exceptional. In the bottom of the 7th with two outs, Park Hae-min reached third base on a single to left field by Park Hae-min, followed by a wild pitch. Austin drew a walk, and Moon Bo-kyung reached base on a throwing error by Lotte's first baseman Na Seung-yeop, allowing Park Hae-min to score. Cheon Seong-ho also drove in a run with an infield hit, narrowing the gap to one run.

The comeback in the bottom of the 8th also began with two outs. New Asia quota pitcher Shota Iimura took the mound. Shin Min-jae and Song Chan-ui hit consecutive singles, and Park Hae-min reached base on a walk. The pitcher was then replaced by Choi Jun-yong.

Austin then crushed a high curveball on the second pitch, sending it just over the left-field wall at Sajik Baseball Stadium for a game-tying bases-loaded home run. He had previously led his team to victory in the Jamsil SSG Landers game on the 10th, recording two home runs including a bases-loaded homer and driving in five runs.

After the game, manager Yeom Kyung-yeop praised the team: "We were trailing early due to many runs allowed. I want to commend the batters for maintaining focus and chasing every run until the end. I also want to praise Austin once again for saving the team with a game-winning bases-loaded home run at a critical moment."

Even after taking the lead, the game remained tense. In the bottom of the 8th, Park Chan-hyung hit a solo home run to narrow the gap. In the top of the 9th, closer Son Ju-young faced a bases-loaded situation. Pinch hitter Noh Jin-hyuk drew a walk, Hwang Seong-bin hit an infield single, and Park Seung-ook executed a sacrifice bunt, creating a one-out situation with runners on second and third. Victor Reyes grounded out, but Han Dong-hee reached on an intentional walk, and Yoon Dong-hee tied the game with a bases-loaded walk. However, Son Ju-young managed to escape the inning by inducing Park Chan-hyung to ground out to the shortstop, securing his 17th save of the season.

As a result, LG starter Lachlan Wells, who allowed six hits (including two home runs), two walks, and two strikeouts over three innings while giving up five runs (four earned), avoided the loss. Despite the early collapse of the starting pitcher, Kim Jin-su (one inning), Woo Kang-hoon (one inning), and Ham Deok-ju (one inning) combined for scoreless innings, while Yassel Reyes (1⅔ innings, one run) and Son Ju-young (1⅓ innings, one run) held the opposition to minimal runs, laying the foundation for the comeback victory.

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop expressed gratitude: "The most important point today (27th) was that our winning bullpen—Kim Jin-su, Woo Kang-hoon, Ham Deok-ju, Reyes, and Son Ju-young—performed their roles well from the 4th inning onward. They delivered crucial pitching that set the stage for the comeback, and we were able to secure the win in an important game."

A full house of 23,200 fans attended the game at Sajik Baseball Stadium. Thanks to the weekend, many LG fans filled the third-base side. Manager Yeom said, "Even though we were the visiting team, so many fans traveled all the way to Busan to cheer for us until the end. Because of their unwavering support, we were able to secure this important comeback victory. Thank you."

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*This content was translated by AI.