Oliver's injured resilience could not overcome 'Choi Jeong-landers' → Two-run homer and historic record surrendered... SSG's new foreign investor makes a victorious debut [Incheon on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Even the injured resilience of the top foreign ace could not stop 'Choi Jeong-landers'.

On the 16th, SSG Landers defeated KIA Tigers 6-0 at Incheon SSG Landers Field. With Choi Jeong (39) contributing three RBIs including a two-run homer and new foreign pitcher Avila (29) delivering a strong debut performance, the team secured a satisfying victory.

In today's game, a turning point occurred in the bottom of the 1st inning when KIA starter Oliver (32) was struck on his right calf by a one-bounce hit from Park Sung-han. Although Oliver continued pitching despite the injury, he ultimately could not overcome Choi Jeong's barrier.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning with one out and bases loaded, Choi Jeong scored the first RBI via a center field sacrifice fly. Then, in the bottom of the 5th inning with one out and runners on second base while leading 1-0, he hit a two-run home run to left field off Oliver. On a 3-2 count, he connected with the sixth pitch—a 135 km/h slider—launching a massive arc covering 130 meters.

With this, Choi Jeong achieved the first-ever 11 consecutive seasons of 20 home runs in KBO League history. After reaching 10 consecutive seasons of 20 home runs from 2016 to last year for the first time, he extended his record by one additional season. Following Choi Jeong are Park Byung-ho with 9 consecutive seasons (2012–2022, excluding overseas stints in 2016–2017) and Lee Seung-yeop with 8 consecutive seasons (1997–2012, excluding overseas stints in 2004–2011).

Additionally, Choi Jeong achieved his second-ever 1,000 extra-base hits with this home run. Since his debut in 2005, he has hit 538 home runs, 450 doubles, and 12 triples. The first record in this category was set by Choi Hyung-woo (Samsung Lions) against the Doosan Bears in Daegu on May 31 of this year. At that time, Choi Hyung-woo was 42 years, 5 months, and 15 days old, while Choi Jeong set the youngest record at 39 years, 4 months, and 18 days.

After Oliver departed following Choi Jeong's home run, relief pitcher Kim Beom-su of KIA surrendered another run via a sacrifice hit to Choi Ji-hoon. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Ko Myung-jun drove in a decisive two-run homer (his 9th of the season) off Han Jae-seung to seal the victory for SSG.

Replacing Benigiano, Avila made his KBO League debut today. Mixing a fastball clocking up to 155 km/h, a two-seam fastball at 154 km/h, and a cutter at 149 km/h, he pitched 6 innings allowing 3 hits, issuing 1 walk, and recording 8 strikeouts without surrendering any runs (94 pitches), capping off his debut with a win.

In contrast, Oliver threw 103 pitches over 4⅓ innings, allowing 6 hits and 3 earned runs, suffering his 6th loss of the season (with 9 wins). His season ERA rose from 2.36 to 2.52.

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*This content was translated by AI.