SSG 'Two Three-Run Home Runs in One Inning' 7 Runs → LG 'Bench Show' Concedes 6, SSG 'Won Anyway'... Kim Min-jun Achieves '3rd Consecutive QS', Sets New Franchise History [Incheon On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

SSG Landers defeated their 'arch-rival' LG Twins in a decisive victory. Although Kim Jae-hwan and Jo Hyung-woo were expected to deliver a blowout with their power duo, SSG managed a tense win amid LG's fierce comeback attempt.

On the 4th, SSG defeated LG 10-8 in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game held at Incheon SSG Landers Field.

With a record of 39 wins, 60 losses, and 4 ties, SSG maintained its ninth-place position. Meanwhile, third-place LG, now on a three-game losing streak, recorded 55 wins, 45 losses, and 1 tie, narrowing the gap to fourth-place Doosan Bears to just 1.5 games.

SSG fielded its starting lineup with Jeon Jun-jae (second baseman), Park Sung-han (shortstop), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Jeon Ui-san (first baseman), Oh Tae-gon (left fielder), Jo Hyung-woo (catcher), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Ahn Sang-hyun (third baseman), and Im Geun-woo (right fielder). Rookie Kim Min-jun made his starting appearance.

LG lined up with Hong Chang-gi (right fielder), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (first baseman), Moon Jeong-bin (designated hitter), Moon Sung-ju (left fielder), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Cheon Seong-ho (third baseman), Lee Ju-heon (catcher), and Koo Bon-hyuk (right fielder). Lachlan Wells started on the mound for LG.

SSG's offense generated momentum from the first inning. In the bottom of the 1st, Jeon Jun-jae reached base via a walk and stole second base with two outs, unsettling Wells. Fourth hitter Jeon Ui-san did not miss Wells' slider off the plate in a 1-2 count, swinging decisively. The ball soared over the center-field fence for a lead-off two-run home run—Jeon Ui-san's sixth of the season.

Kim Min-jun delivered a strong performance. He walked the first two batters in the top of the 1st but got Austin Dean to strike out swinging and induced back-to-back flyouts from Moon Jeong-bin and Moon Sung-ju, allowing him to exhale in relief.

In the 2nd inning, LG scored one run after consecutive hits from Cheon Seong-ho and Lee Ju-heon with one out, followed by a ground ball from Koo Bon-hyuk. However, SSG held them off thereafter, retiring the side in order in the 3rd inning, which included two strikeouts. In the 4th, a curveball thrown to Cheon Seong-ho drifted inside and cleared the right-field fence for an equalizing solo home run—Cheon Seong-ho's second of the season.

Nevertheless, Kim Min-jun held firm. He pitched through the 5th and 6th innings. Although he is scheduled to start again on the 9th against NC Dinos, he managed six innings on just 93 pitches that day, achieving his third consecutive quality start (QS)—defined as six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs. Having set a rookie record of two consecutive games with a QS following Jung Chun-mo in 2002 in his previous outing, Kim Min-jun now wrote new franchise history as the first rookie pitcher to achieve three consecutive QS appearances.

After allowing a run in the first, Wells quickly regained composure but was replaced in the 3rd inning with two outs after being hit by Park Sung-han's ground ball on his calf. LG announced: "He is icing a contusion on the right calf and has no plans for hospital examination."

Park Si-won, who entered unexpectedly, delivered stable pitching through six scoreless innings. He returned to the mound in the 7th but became the target of SSG's batters.

Leadoff hitter Choi Ji-hoon reached base on a hit-by-pitch, advanced to second on Ahn Sang-hyun's sacrifice bunt, and moved to third on a fielder's choice error by the opposing team. Jeon Jun-jae then delivered a one-run single to take the lead. After Park Sung-han walked, LG replaced the pitcher with Kim Jin-soo. Kim Jae-hwan then connected powerfully on a 135 km/h forkball inside in a full-count situation, launching a massive three-run home run traveling 135 meters—his 17th of the season.

Jeon Ui-san followed with a walk, and Oh Tae-gon added a single to left field, setting up another scoring opportunity. Jo Hyung-woo then drove in a pitch clocked at 144 km/h inside on a full-count situation with two outs and runners on first and second. This was his seventh home run of the season, seemingly sealing the game. The inning witnessed an extraordinary scene: surrendering two three-run home runs to the same pitcher within one inning.

However, an unbelievable event unfolded in the top of the 8th inning. Park Si-hoo, who took over from Jeon Young-jun after a strong seventh-inning performance, walked Hong Chang-gi but induced a ground ball from Shin Min-jae to retire the lead runner at second base. Yet, he allowed a walk to Song Chan-ui and then gave up a one-run single to Moon Jeong-bin.

LG brought in Lee Jae-won as a pinch hitter for Moon Sung-ju, while SSG replaced Park Si-hoo with Choi Min-jun. However, Choi Min-jun's 123 km/h curveball was left over the plate, and Lee Jae-won launched a three-run home run over the left-field fence, narrowing the deficit to just three runs in an instant. This was Lee Jae-won's fourth home run of the season and his second career pinch-hit homer.

SSG switched pitchers to Moon Seung-won but allowed a line-drive single from Lee Young-bin and a hit-by-pitch to Cheon Seong-ho. When Park Dong-won, batting as a pinch hitter for Lee Ju-heon, came up, SSG brought in Kim Min-eul, who walked him, loading the bases. Moon Bo-kyung, batting as a pinch hitter for Koo Bon-hyuk, then delivered a two-run single. The situation remained dire with one out and runners on first and second, trailing 9-8.

No further runs were allowed. SSG induced back-to-back ground balls from Hong Chang-gi and Shin Min-jae to preserve the lead before resuming offense. Following Ahn Sang-hyun's single and Park Sung-han's walk, Kim Jae-hwan hit a line-drive single to center field with two outs and runners on first and third, driving in his fourth RBI of the day and extending the lead to 10-8.

In the top of the 9th, SSG brought in closer Jo Byeong-hyun. He retired Song Chan-ui with a flyout to right field, struck out Moon Jeong-bin, and induced a flyout from Lee Jae-won, securing his 13th save of the season and capping off the team's victory.

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*This content was translated by AI.