'Kim Ho-ryeong replaced by Park Jae-hyun at No. 1': KIA lineup change for three-game winning streak, "feels like taking a break"... '3 out of 4 games' Lee Ui-ri rests [Gwangju on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Ho-ryeong, KIA's hottest player, has been placed lower in the batting order. This decision reflects special consideration from KIA manager Lee Beom-ho (45).

KIA will play a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game against Hanwha Eagles at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 21st.

For today's lineup, KIA set up Park Jae-hyun (right fielder), Herald Castro (left fielder), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Na Sung-beom (designated hitter), Han Jun-soo (catcher), Kim Sun-bin (second baseman), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Park Sang-jun (first baseman), and Kim Kyu-sung (shortstop). Hwang Dong-ha will start on the mound.

Starting the second half with a four-game series against SSG Landers, KIA announced a pleasant 3-1 record and celebrated manager Lee Beom-ho reaching his 200th career win.

Manager Lee said, "It would not be an exaggeration to say Kim Ho-ryeong led this series. Yesterday he was the hero of the team's victory with outstanding defense, and today he delivered a decisive go-ahead hit." In the game on the 19th, he erased a scoring crisis by making a double out with a spectacular diving catch followed by a powerful throw, recording three hits and three runs scored. Then in the game on the 20th, he hit a priceless two-run go-ahead home run.

Manager Lee, who had been praising Kim Ho-ryeong day after day, moved him down to the seventh spot today as a measure to manage his physical condition.

Manager Lee explained, "Ho-ryeong ran so much on stolen bases and covered so much ground in defense during the last series that today, since he is facing a right-handed pitcher where outside pitches are advantageous for left-handed batters, we decided to rest him for a day by placing him seventh and putting (Park) Jae-hyun at first. If a left-handed pitcher comes out or pitchers of the type Ho-ryeong prefers appear, we will move him up in the order. We also want to monitor Jae-hyun's condition. While Ho-ryeong is doing well and running strongly with good momentum, he has been playing without rest for too long, so moving him down the lineup feels like giving him a break."

Lee Ui-ri, who switched to a relief role to start the second half, will rest today. Having appeared in three of four games in the second-half series, pitching 3⅔ innings without allowing an earned run and securing one win, Lee is building expectations as a powerful new card in the bullpen.

However, he will not play today. Manager Lee stated, "He should rest until today. He threw around 80 pitches during the three-game series. It must have been tough playing for three days while preparing for the four-game series. We plan to keep him out until today and bring him back starting tomorrow. Since he is in good form, it would be best for the player if we can maintain his condition and push forward when the situation improves."

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*This content was translated by AI.