'Hit-walk-hit-walk-hit-walk-hit-hit' SSG's promised sixth inning, 'nemesis' Hanwha held back... Kim Min-jun's 5 innings, 1 earned run performance [Incheon Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

SSG Landers, showcasing remarkable focus with a concentrated hit barrage in the sixth inning, held back their 'nemesis' Hanwha Eagles.

On the 25th, SSG defeated Hanwha Eagles 7-1 in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game at Incheon SSG Landers Field.

SSG improved to 46 wins, 64 losses, and 5 ties. Meanwhile, Hanwha fell to 49 wins, 58 losses, and 3 ties with their second consecutive loss. The gap between the fifth-place Doosan Bears, who won today, and SSG widened to nine games.

Additionally, securing a decisive victory against Hanwha, who had an absolute disadvantage this season with only two wins and nine losses, marked a meaningful start to the series.

SSG lined up Jeong Jun-jae (second baseman), Park Sung-han (shortstop), Guillermo Heredia (left fielder), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Jo Hyung-woo (catcher), Ahn Sang-hyun (third baseman), and Im Geon-woo (right fielder). Starting pitcher was Kim Min-jun.

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 Sim Woo-jun (shortstop). Starting pitcher was Owen White.

Through five innings, both teams' starting pitchers engaged in a tight pitching duel. Kim Min-jun allowed no runs except for a solo home run (his 13th) hit by Moon Hyun-bin in the third inning. He began cleanly with two strikeouts in the first inning and managed a crisis in the fourth when runners were on second and third with one out, striking out Heo In-seo and inducing a shortstop grounder from Lee Do-yoon. Although he erased a scoring position threat in the fifth, his pitch count reached 92, leading to his removal after five innings.

White also delivered stable pitching. After allowing consecutive hits to Choi Ji-hoon and Jo Hyung-woo with one out in the bottom of the second inning, he gave up a go-ahead RBI hit to Im Geon-woo with two outs and runners on first and third but held firm through the fifth inning.

The game turned in the sixth inning. SSG set the table with a leadoff hit by Jeon Ui-san and a walk by Kim Jae-hwan, then Choi Ji-hoon delivered an RBI double to take the lead. Hanwha subsequently brought in relief pitchers.

However, SSG extended their lead further against reliever Lee Sang-gyu. With one out and runners on first and second, Ahn Sang-hyun drew a walk, followed by pinch-hitter Oh Tae-gon hitting an RBI double to increase the margin.

Hanwha then brought in Jo Dong-wook, but with two outs, Park Sung-han's bases-loaded walk scored one run. Heredia and pinch-hitter Han Yu-seom each hit consecutive RBI singles, pushing the score to 7-1. Han Yu-seom reached his 1,300th career game appearance, the 113rd player in franchise history to achieve this milestone.

SSG then secured a satisfying victory with stable bullpen management. After Kim Min-jun, Kim Min-e entered in the sixth inning, followed by Lee Geon-wook in the seventh, Jeon Young-jun in the eighth, and Seo Jin-yong in the ninth, each pitching one clean inning.

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*This content was translated by AI.