'7:3→7:8→11:8' Lotte is crazy! Escaping a three-game losing streak by toppling Samsung closer Kim Jae-yoon with Noh Jin-hyuk's tying hit and Jeon Min-jae's go-ahead hit [Daegu On-site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Lotte Giants displayed sharp focus in the late innings to complete a stunning comeback, dramatically escaping a three-game losing streak.

On the 19th, Lotte defeated the Samsung Lions in an away game of the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League' at Daegu Samsung Lions Park with a terrifying rally that scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning, securing a thrilling 11-8 comeback victory. With this win, Lotte broke its three-game losing streak. Meanwhile, Samsung failed to extend its winning streak to four games after squandering a lead it had built.

The home team Samsung lined up in the following order: Kim Hyun-jun (center fielder), Kim Sung-yoon (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Diaz (first baseman), Jeon Byeong-woo (third baseman), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Kim Do-hwan (catcher), and Shim Jae-hoon (shortstop). Starting pitcher was Won Tae-in.

Lotte countered with the following lineup: Hwang Sung-bin (center fielder), Ko Seung-min (second baseman), Reyes (left fielder), Han Dong-hee (designated hitter), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder), Han Tae-yang (third baseman), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), and Son Seong-bin (catcher). Left-handed pitcher Kim Jin-wook started for Lotte.

The balance between the two teams, which was tight through the second inning, was first broken by Lotte in the top of the third. A walk by leadoff batter Jeon Min-jae and a sacrifice bunt by Son Seong-bin created a one-out, second-base opportunity. Hwang Sung-bin grounded out to the first baseman, but Ko Seung-min drew another walk, extending the situation to two outs with runners on first and third.

Here, Reyes' line drive to center field became a lucky hit. Samsung center fielder Kim Hyun-jun committed a critical error by misjudging the ball's landing point, allowing the hit to fall for a two-run single. Riding this momentum, Lotte added Han Dong-hee's sacrifice single to left field with two outs and runners on second, taking an early 3-0 lead.

However, Samsung immediately counterattacked in the bottom of the third. After Shim Jae-hoon singled to left field with one out and Kim Hyun-jun was hit by a pitch, Samsung seized scoring opportunities with runners on first and second. Although Kim Sung-yoon grounded out to the second baseman, seemingly ending the threat, Koo Ja-wook stepped in as the savior. With two outs and runners on first and second, Koo smashed a 148 km/h fastball from the opposing pitcher over the left-center field wall for a three-run home run — his second consecutive day with a homer and his 10th of the season. Thanks to Koo's blast, the score was instantly tied at 3-3.

The balance did not last long. Lotte extended its lead by three runs again in the top of the fifth. Leadoff batter Son Seong-bin crushed the first pitch from Samsung starter Won Tae-in over the left-field wall for a solo home run, reclaiming a 4-3 lead. Keeping the momentum alive with Ko Seung-min's walk, Lotte saw Han Dong-hee hit a two-run double to right field and Na Seung-yeop deliver consecutive sacrifice singles, quickly widening the gap to 6-3. In the top of the sixth, with one out and bases loaded, Ko Seung-min hit a sacrifice fly to center field, pushing the score further to 7-3.

Samsung did not easily give up at home either. In the bottom of the seventh, leadoff batter Kim Hyun-jun reached base on a hit-by-pitch, then Kim Sung-yoon grounded out to shortstop for one out with a runner on first. Following Koo Ja-wook's single to right field, creating runners on first and second, Choi Hyung-woo drove in a run with a timely single. After Diaz delivered consecutive sacrifice singles and Jeon Byeong-woo drew a walk, the bases were loaded with two outs in a do-or-die situation while trailing 5-7. 'Veteran' Kang Min-ho, who entered as a substitute, emerged as the savior. Kang hit a two-run single to center field, tying the game at 7-7 and forcing extra innings.

In the bottom of the eighth, Samsung appeared to turn the tide. After Koo Ja-wook drew a walk and Choi Hyung-woo singled to left with two outs, creating runners on first and second, Diaz hit a timely single to take an 8-7 lead — Samsung's first lead of the game.

However, Lotte's resilience exploded in the top of the ninth. Facing Samsung closer Kim Jae-yoon, Lotte displayed terrifying focus. Leadoff batter Ko Seung-min doubled to open the inning, and with one out and runners on first and second, pinch-hitter Noh Jin-hyuk hit a dramatic tying two-run single to tie the score at 8-8.

Riding this momentum, with runners reaching base through subsequent batters, Lotte faced a bases-loaded situation with two outs. Jeon Min-jae's hit to left-center field took a peculiar trajectory and fell for a hit, allowing runners to score in succession as Lotte instantly flipped the game to 11-8. Samsung launched a final comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth, but Kim Won-jung closed out the game without allowing any runs, securing the victory. The intense back-and-forth battle between the two teams concluded with Lotte's thrilling comeback win.

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*This content was translated by AI.