'1 million spectators in minimum games' secret: Overwhelming skill, 'Jang Hyun-sik's perfect pitching and Austin Dean's game-winning hit' LG leads the pack [Jamsil On-site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins celebrated breaking the record for reaching 1 million spectators in the fewest games of any team since professional baseball attendance data began being compiled in 2001, thanks to a strong performance by new starter Jang Hyun-sik and Austin Dean's game-winning hit that secured a satisfying victory.

LG defeated Hanwha Eagles 5-3 in their 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 4th.

With 51 wins and 31 losses, LG maintained a 1.5-game lead over second-place Samsung Lions after today's victory, firmly holding onto first place. They also matched their all-time record against Hanwha with four wins and four losses this season. Meanwhile, Hanwha recorded 39 wins, 39 losses, and two ties.

Good news came even before the game began. LG drew 23,750 spectators today, marking their 35th sellout of the season. This brought their total home game attendance to over 1 million in just 43 home games this year — a record for reaching 1 million spectators in the fewest number of home games since professional baseball attendance data began being compiled in 2001 across all teams.

As of the 4th, cumulative attendance at LG Twins home games during the 2026 season reached 1,008,068 fans. With an average of 23,443 fans per game, they filled every seat in Jamsil Baseball Stadium as it approaches its final season.

LG set their starting lineup for today's game with Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (designated hitter), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Moon Jung-bin (first baseman), Park Dong-won (catcher), Lee Young-bin (shortstop), and Gu Bon-hyeok (second baseman). Jang Hyun-sik was the starting pitcher.

Hanwha countered with Choi In-ho (left fielder), Yonatan Peraza (right fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (center fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Noh Si-hwan (third baseman), Heo In-seo (catcher), Kim Tae-yeon (first baseman), Lee Do-yoon (second baseman), and Park Jung-hyun (shortstop). Will Hernandez started for Hanwha.

Hanwha starter Hernandez struggled from the first inning, and LG did not miss their chances. After giving up a hit-by-pitch to leadoff hitter Hong Chang-ki in the bottom of the first, they faced early uncertainty. Following Park Hae-min's sacrifice bunt, Austin Dean singled to score the first run. Later, after Moon Bo-kyung drew a walk, back-to-back RBI hits by Song Chan-ui and Moon Jung-bin, followed by an error on a ground ball by Park Dong-won after a wild pitch, LG extended their lead to 4-0.

LG starter Jang Hyun-sik continued his steady pitching. Although he allowed baserunners in each of the first three innings, he navigated through crises by inducing double plays: Moon Hyun-bin in the first inning, Lee Do-yoon with two outs and runners on first and second in the second, and Kang Baek-ho with two outs and runners on first and third in the third.

Jang Hyun-sik retired all three batters in both the fourth and fifth innings before handing the ball to the bullpen and stepping off the mound ahead of the sixth inning.

Hanwha quickly removed Hernandez after he had thrown only 34 pitches with two outs in the second inning. Relief pitcher Park Jun-young (No. 96) then pitched two scoreless innings, followed by Jang Yu-ho who threw 1⅔ scoreless innings, as Hanwha sought a comeback opportunity.

In the top of the sixth inning, LG mounted an attack. After Jang Hyun-sik was replaced by Ham Deok-ju, Peraza drew a walk, and Noh Si-hwan reached base on a hit-by-pitch with two outs. Heo In-seo then drove in three runs with a three-run home run over the right-field fence off reliever Woo Kang-hoon's 150.4 km/h fastball — his 12th of the season — cutting LG's lead to 4-3 in one swing.

LG also capitalized on an opportunity in the bottom of the sixth. Facing fourth pitcher Park Sang-won, Park Dong-won singled to left field and advanced to second base via a sacrifice bunt. After Gu Bon-hyeok singled and Hong Chang-ki drew a walk, LG loaded the bases. Even after Park Hae-min struck out, Austin Dean worked a full-count walk to score one run with the bases loaded. However, on the next play with two outs and bases loaded, Moon Bo-kyung's powerful hit was caught just in front of the fence, preventing further scoring.

Although LG failed to capitalize on a 1-out, runners-on-second-and-third opportunity in the bottom of the eighth, they held firm as Kim Jin-su shut down Hanwha in the seventh and Kim Jin-seong did the same in the eighth. In the top of the ninth, Yassel Larios entered and pitched a scoreless inning to secure the win.

Jang Hyun-sik threw 88 pitches over five innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and striking out three batters without surrendering any runs. He earned his seventh win of the season (3 losses, 2 saves, 7 holds). Larios recorded his second save of the season (1 win, 1 loss, 5 holds). Kim Jin-su collected his 16th hold of the season, leading the league in that category, while Woo Kang-hoon added his 15th hold to stay close behind.

Hanwha starter Hernandez lasted only 1⅓ innings, allowing four hits, two walks, one strikeout, and four earned runs, taking on his sixth loss of the season (3 wins).

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*This content was translated by AI.