'Samsung faces new setback' as Kiwoom's 'foreign hitter' Hiura makes surprise return! Park Jun-hyun, who boasts a 0 ERA against Samsung, also takes the mound

*This content was translated by AI.

Another major obstacle has appeared before the Samsung Lions, who are fully committed to the race for first place. After settling for a disappointing 3-3 draw the previous day (the 25th), Samsung now faces the last-place Kiwoom Heroes, equipped with their 'arch-nemesis starter' and a 'full-strength lineup'.

Kiwoom will send right-handed rookie Park Jun-hyun to the starting mound for the matchup against Samsung at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 26th. Park is the son of Park Seok-min (41), currently the Samsung minor league hitting coach and a 'legend of Samsung'. Against his father's former team, where the glory of his playing days is vividly preserved, Park will engage in a true professional battle on the mound wearing the uniform of the hero squad. With bold determination and powerful pitching, he is determined to shut down his father's former team's lineup.

In his first professional season, Park has recorded 1 win and 6 losses with an ERA of 5.04 in 15 games this season, but he has excelled specifically against Samsung. In two matchups against Samsung this season, he posted a perfect record with 1 win, an ERA of 0, and allowed a batting average of just 0.195, showcasing exceptional performance. Notably, during his first career start on April 26 at Gocheok against Samsung, he pitched 5 innings allowing 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 4 batters without surrendering any runs, achieving the remarkable feat of securing his first professional victory.

For today's game, Kiwoom set its starting lineup as Seo Geon-chang (second baseman), Kim Woong-bin (third baseman), Davison (first baseman), Hiura (designated hitter), Kim Geon-hee (catcher), Park Chan-hyuk (right fielder), Won Seong-jun (left fielder), Kwon Hyuk-bin (shortstop), and Park Chae-wool (center fielder).

In addition to the challenge posed by Samsung's lineup, a major blow also struck their pitching staff. Foreign slugger Keiston Hiura, who had been sidelined due to injury, made an unexpected return to the first-team lineup faster than anticipated. Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin took a cautious stance ahead of the game on the 25th, stating, "We will prioritize checking his physical condition," but as his recovery speed was quicker than expected, he immediately inserted Hiura into the starting lineup as the fourth designated hitter.

With the dual challenge of 'Samsung killer' Park Jun-hyun's start and slugger Hiura's early return, all eyes are on whether Samsung can overcome Kiwoom's fierce resistance and keep their hopes alive in the race for first place.

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*This content was translated by AI.