'9:0→11:15' Shocking Comeback Defeat, But Lee Ju-heon Starts Game 2 in a Row! 'Matches Hands and Feet with the 112th-Win MLB Pitcher [Daejeon On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite a shocking comeback defeat two days ago, LG Twins showed continued faith in catcher Lee Ju-heon (23).

On the 23rd, LG announced its starting lineup for the visiting game against Hanwha Eagles at Daejeon Hanwha Life Park as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

For this game, LG set its batting order as Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (first baseman), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Moon Jeong-bin (designated hitter), Koo Bon-hyeok (shortstop), Lee Ju-heon (catcher), and Hong Chang-gi (right fielder). The starting pitcher is Carlos Carasco.

Hanwha countered with Kim Tae-yeon (right fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (center fielder), Han Ji-yoon (left fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Noh Si-hwan (third baseman), Chae Eun-seong (first baseman), Heo In-seo (catcher), Lee Do-yoon (second baseman), and Park Jung-hyun (shortstop). Their starting pitcher is right-handed Park Jun-young, born in 2003.

Two days prior on the 21st, during a game against Hanwha in Daejeon, LG led 9-0 through the third inning but surrendered two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth, three in the sixth, three in the seventh, and four in the eighth, ultimately losing 15-11 after being come from behind. Lee Ju-heon was the starting catcher at that time. Having worked with starter Song Seung-gi, Lee was replaced by Park Dong-won in the bottom of the seventh inning after reliever Lee Woo-chan issued consecutive walks, leaving a sense of regret.

Nevertheless, LG continued to entrust Lee Ju-heon as the starting catcher. The starting pitcher he will work with this time is Carlos Carasco (39), who boasts 112 wins in Major League Baseball (MLB). Carasco joined LG on the 22nd and delivered an impressive debut performance on August 1 against Jamsil Doosan Bears, pitching a perfect seven-inning game. Lee Ju-heon was the catcher who worked with him during that debut.

Before the game, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop stated firmly: "I didn't say anything special to (Lee) Ju-heon after the game two days ago. He still lacks experience, so such things can happen. That's why he keeps getting starts. Ju-heon is a catcher who must continue gaining experience through these opportunities."

This game is also crucial for Carasco. After performing well in his first two games with quality starts (six or more innings pitched with three or fewer earned runs), Carasco was significantly shaken in the recent Jamsil SSG Landers game, allowing five runs over 5⅓ innings. When he threw more than 70 pitches, a drop in velocity was observed, raising concerns about his stamina.

Manager Yeom added: "He claims he can throw up to 100 pitches, but that's not the case yet. Carasco is still in his build-up phase; once he exceeds 70–80 pitches, his velocity drops and control becomes an issue, with more wild pitches." He continued, "If he only throws four innings, it creates operational difficulties. Regardless, our starters need to pitch at least five innings to make a difference. Even early in the season, our starters managed to throw five to six innings and relied on relief pitchers to hold the lead afterward."

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*This content was translated by AI.