'Samsung bullpen is crazy!' Kim Young-woong adds 'super-large wedge' as Samsung defeats Lotte 4-1, solidifying its lead with a second consecutive win → [Daegu Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Samsung Lions secured their first game of the second half with a perfect harmony between pitching and hitting, backed by an impenetrable bullpen performance.

On the 16th, Samsung defeated the Lotte Giants in the first matchup of the second half at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.' Starting pitcher Yang Chang-seop delivered a strong outing, supported by focused hitting from the lineup. Despite conceding an early run, Samsung quickly tied the game and took the lead to control the match.

As a result, Samsung enjoyed a satisfying two-game winning streak, while Lotte suffered its first loss of the second half, falling into a two-game losing streak.

Samsung's lineup for the day was: Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Kim Sung-yoon (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Lewin Diaz (first baseman), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Kim Young-woong (third baseman), Kang Min-ho (catcher), and Shim Jae-hoon (shortstop). Yang Chang-seop started on the mound.

Lotte countered with this lineup: Hwang Seong-bin (center fielder), Ko Seung-min (first baseman), Victor Reyes (left fielder), Han Dong-hee (designated hitter), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), Han Tae-yang (second baseman), Park Chan-hyung (third baseman), Son Ho-young (right fielder), and Son Seong-bin (catcher). Rodriquez started for Lotte.

Both teams exchanged runs from the first inning. In the top of the first, Lotte began with two outs after Hwang Seong-bin's fly out to center field and Ko Seung-min's strikeout. However, Reyes hit a high inside pitch (148 km/h fastball) from Yang Chang-seop on a 2-ball-1-strike count, sending it over the left-field wall for an early solo home run. This was Reyes' 12th home run of the season.

Samsung immediately responded in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Kim Ji-chan grounded out to shortstop, but second batter Kim Sung-yoon hit a single up the middle to open the scoring. On Koo Ja-wook's grounder to the second baseman, runner Kim Sung-yoon was forced out at second base, but Koo reached via fielder's choice, maintaining a two-out, first-base opportunity. Choi Hyung-woo followed with an infield hit to left-center, advancing runners to first and second. Diaz then delivered a sacrifice fly to left field, tying the game 1-1.

In the bottom of the third, Samsung took its first lead. Leadoff hitter Choi Hyung-woo struck out, but Diaz hit a double down the right-field line, immediately reaching scoring position. Ryu Ji-hyuk then drove in a run with a two-run single to left-center on a favorable 3-ball count, giving Samsung a 2-1 advantage.

Samsung added a crucial extra run in the bottom of the sixth. After one out, Kang Min-ho reached on a hit to left-center. Immediate pinch-runner Kim Sang-jun was inserted, and pinch-hitter Park Seung-gyu followed with a single up the left-field line, creating a two-out, first-and-third situation. Kim Ji-chan then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, extending the lead to 3-1.

In the bottom of the eighth, a home run sealed the victory. Leadoff hitter Kim Young-woong hit a solo home run over the center-field wall against reliever Hyun Do-hoon. The score was now 4-1 in Samsung's favor. This marked Kim Young-woong's second consecutive game with a home run and his second of the season. The ball traveled an impressive 137 meters. In the ninth, closer Kim Jae-yun finished the game for Samsung.

Overall, Samsung's pitching staff maintained a higher level of performance. Starting pitcher Yang Chang-seop earned the win with five innings pitched, allowing six hits (one home run), striking out six batters, walking three, and surrendering only one run. This was his eighth win of the season without a loss. Relievers Lee Seung-min, Lee Seung-hyun, Kim Tae-hoon, and Kim Jae-yun all held opponents scoreless after entering the game. Offensively, Diaz went 2-for-4 with one walk and one RBI, while Kim Ji-chan, Kim Young-woong, and Ryu Ji-hyuk each contributed one RBI. Lotte starter Rodriquez took the loss after pitching 5⅔ innings, allowing eight hits, striking out five, walking three, and giving up three runs.

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*This content was translated by AI.