'Data-driven baseball worked for the manager' No. 1 Sim Woo-jun → three-run homer + 4 RBIs → ends four-game losing streak "Happy to break the slump and win" [Gwangju]

*This content was translated by AI.

'No. 1 batter Sim Woo-jun.'

It was a move no one had anticipated. Manager Kim Kyung-moon (68) of the Hanwha Eagles' decision to bat Sim Woo-jun (31) at the top of the order proved spot-on, as he took down the KIA Tigers' ace and secured a satisfying escape from a four-game losing streak.

Under manager Kim's leadership, Hanwha defeated the KIA Tigers 7-3 in an away game against them at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 22nd as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

Hanwha, which achieved its first win in six games during the second half (4 losses, 1 tie), flipped the standings with NC Dinos — who had rested due to rainout — just one day later and reclaimed sixth place after recording 41 wins, 44 losses, and 3 ties.

A bold tactical move drew attention even before the game: putting Sim Woo-jun at No. 1 in the lineup. Oh Jae-won had been performing brilliantly as the leadoff hitter with four hits the previous day, while Sim Woo-jun had never started at the top of the order this season, making the choice difficult to predict.

Although Sim Woo-jun was not a standout hitter this season with a batting average of 0.261, manager Kim focused on the data. Against KIA's ace Adam Oller, Sim went 3-for-7 with two RBIs and posted an impressive .429 batting average.

Before the game, manager Kim explained, "He fought well against Oller before. I wanted to give him a chance at No. 1."

Sim Woo-jun had been retired on a groundout by the third baseman in the top of the first inning. But with Hanwha leading 1-0 in the bottom of the second, one out, and runners on first and second, he crushed Oller's slider over the left-field fence for a three-run home run — his first long ball since April 1 against KT Wiz, more than three months earlier. Given his strong history against Oller, it was certainly not mere luck.

Sim Woo-jun also recorded a hit off Oller in the fourth inning. Oller left after allowing four runs over five innings. Facing reliever Lee Tae-yang in the sixth, Sim Woo-jun singled to left with one out and a runner on second, adding an RBI.

Manager Kim specifically praised Sim, saying, "I want to commend Sim Woo-jun for leading the offense with three hits including a three-run homer after starting at No. 1."

Starting pitcher Owen White also delivered a stellar performance. Hanwha had not recorded a starting win in eight games since White threw seven scoreless innings to secure a victory against LG Twins three days prior, but this time White himself brought the team a win and broke the starting pitcher curse.

White was pitching a no-hitter through four outs in the fourth inning but allowed a solo home run to Park Sang-jun in the fifth. He then held firm, throwing 97 pitches through seven innings.

Manager Kim praised White highly, saying, "Most importantly, White perfectly fulfilled the role of a starting pitcher over seven innings."

After dropping to seventh place amid a four-game losing streak, Hanwha climbed back to sixth with its first win of the second half, keeping its playoff hopes alive. They are now four games behind fifth-place Doosan Bears.

Manager Kim shared his thoughts: "The team has struggled since the start of the second half, so I'm happy we broke the losing streak and secured a win."

Wang Yencheng will make the starting pitching appearance in tomorrow's game on the 23rd. The opposing pitcher is Keisho Shirakawa. With Wang expected to have the upper hand in this starter matchup, anticipation grows for Hanwha to achieve a winning series and return home victorious.

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*This content was translated by AI.