*This content was translated by AI.
"The team is on the verge of exploding."
While it was difficult to gauge the exact meaning of his remark, it was clear that even within the squad, there is a shared sense that Hanwha Eagles are moving past a crisis moment.
Hanwha has played 104 games this season, recording 48 wins, 53 losses, and 3 draws, currently sitting in sixth place. While aiming for a playoff berth, the team has lost three consecutive games, widening the gap to fifth-place KIA Tigers by six games.
In the second half of the season, Hanwha managed only 8 wins, 13 losses, and 1 draw, with their bullpen being the most significant weakness during this period. Kim Seo-hyun and Jung Woo-ju, who have completed evaluations in the minor league, are expected to join the team today. Now, the lineup must finally break through.
Hanwha hit 19 double plays in the second half of the season, the highest number in the league. They also left 185 runners on base, the most among all teams. Although they scored 121 runs, ranking second overall, this performance did not align well with their team situation.
In the game against Samsung Lions on the 15th, Samsung's starting pitcher Yang Chang-seop struggled from the top of the first inning, allowing one run and being ejected after a helmet shot hit Noh Si-hwan. Despite reliever Lee Seung-hyun taking the mound with one out and bases loaded, Hanwha failed to score additional runs and managed only one point through six innings.
They took the lead with four runs in the seventh inning, but the bullpen collapsed afterward, and the lineup failed to regain momentum. The team continues to be out of sync.
Kim Kyung-moon (68), Hanwha's manager, said, "To win, we needed to seize the opportunity in the first inning. Right now, our offense feels stifled with bases loaded. We can't seem to break through even when we have a bases-loaded chance. We should be able to score heavily in such situations, but it's not happening." He added, "However, I believe that if we continue to trust our players and they deliver, we might achieve a winning streak."
It has become common for runs to come only in the later stages of games. With momentum already shifting against them, securing victories has naturally become more difficult.
Manager Kim remarked, "We keep scoring only after taking a few hits. I find it hard to say much about this." He continued, "I wish we could score earlier, but the batters are well aware of the situation. It feels like they're about to break through soon," expressing his optimism.
He further stated, "The players must feel frustrated too. The staff is working hard, and I believe that after so many losses, a chance for a winning streak will come. We will do our best until the end."
Even in losing games, Manager Kim believes there should be something to offer comfort. Since the home run power began to revive starting from the Doosan Bears game on the 13th, it has been encouraging. Last week, they hit a season-high 11 home runs, including two each by Moon Hyun-bin, Yonatan Peraza, and Kang Baek-ho, who had previously struggled, as well as Chae Eun-seong. Noh Si-hwan and Heo In-seo also tasted success with home runs.
Hanwha will now move to their home stadium for a six-game series. To keep their playoff hopes alive, they must first face KIA in a three-game series before taking on LG Twins, who held a slight edge over Hanwha this season with 6 wins and 5 losses. This upcoming series is expected to be crucial for reviving their playoff aspirations.
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*This content was translated by AI.
