"Choi Won-tae is back," head coach Park Jin-man beams, as Samsung secures two straight wins after a four-game losing streak with a stellar starting pitcher performance and a four-home run explosion [Daegu]

*This content was translated by AI.

Immediately snapping a long losing streak, the team quickly shifted to a winning momentum. Injured players returned with strong performances, and a rare power surge of home runs lit up the field. It was an ideal victory.

On the 14th, Samsung defeated Hanwha Eagles 8-5 in their 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, thanks to Choi Won-tae's dominant pitching and a lineup that erupted for four home runs.

With a record of 61 wins, 41 losses, and 2 ties, Samsung maintained its second-place position, trailing first-place KT Wiz by 1.5 games while extending their lead over third-place LG Twins to five games after today's loss.

Choi Won-tae, who had been placed on the injured list since the 29th due to minor right-arm muscle strain, returned to the mound after 17 days. Although he previously struggled against Hanwha with 4⅔ innings, eight hits allowed, and four earned runs, today's performance was completely different.

Returning after a long absence, Choi threw 82 pitches over 5⅔ innings, allowing five hits (including one home run), two walks, striking out six batters, and surrendering just one earned run to secure his fourth win of the season (with four losses).

Even in a high-pressure situation with two outs and runners on first and second in the fifth inning, Choi struck out two batters to escape unscathed. He gave up a solo home run in the sixth but that was the only run allowed all day. Right-handed reliever Lee Seung-hyun took over with two outs and a runner on first, finished the inning without allowing any runs, and earned the win.

In the lineup, Gu Ja-wook hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, followed by back-to-back home runs from Kang Min-ho and Lee Jae-hyun in the sixth. Gu then delivered a decisive three-run homer later in the same inning. The four home runs alone accounted for six runs. Although the bullpen faltered in the top of the eighth, allowing four runs to Hanwha, the large lead secured the victory.

Closer Kim Jae-yoon entered in the ninth and allowed a hit to Kang Baek-ho but used defensive support to turn Noh Si-hwan into a double play, erasing the baserunners, and struck out Kim Tae-yeon to record his 26th save of the season.

After the game, manager Park Jin-man immediately gave Choi Won-tae a thumbs-up. "Starting pitcher Choi Won-tae has prepared well and returned," he said. "He showed excellent command and confidence on the mound, managing the game effectively. We look forward to his future appearances."

Park also praised the lineup for its rare power surge: "Gu Ja-wook's leadoff solo home run in the fourth and Kang Min-ho's one-run homer as the first batter in the fifth gave us early momentum," he noted. "Especially in the sixth, Ryu Ji-hyuk's clever bunt single put him on base, followed by a successful 2-3 base steal that completely shifted the atmosphere and set the stage for our victory."

He also highlighted the team's resilience after surrendering four runs in the eighth: "In the ninth, Jeon Byeong-woo's strong defensive play sparked a double play, which helped us secure the win," he added, recognizing the unsung hero.

Immediately after ending their long losing streak, Samsung shifted to a winning momentum. On the 15th, Yang Chang-seop, the team's all-time wins leader, will take the mound and aim for his third consecutive victory.

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*This content was translated by AI.