'Waited 51 minutes → Threw 6 pitches → Waited another 40 minutes' LG used two relievers for just two outs; Busan’s sky was unkind [Busan Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Even the winning team, LG Twins, could not celebrate fully due to Busan’s fickle weather.

On the 29th, at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, LG defeated Lotte 8-3 via a rain-shortened game ending in the bottom of the 7th inning before a crowd of 22,212 spectators during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season away match.

With this result, fourth-place LG maintained its gap over third-place KIA Tigers (62 wins, 2 ties, 50 losses) with a record of 64 wins, 1 tie, and 51 losses. Meanwhile, seventh-place Lotte, now on a four-game losing streak, recorded 50 wins, 2 ties, and 61 losses.

By the score alone, it was a decisive victory. Starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco pitched six innings, allowing five hits (one home run), one walk, striking out four batters, and giving up three runs (two earned). This marked his fourth quality start of the season (six or more innings with two or fewer earned runs) and his third win (with one loss) of the year.

The lineup also generated eight runs through 11 total hits (both singles and extra-base hits) and seven walks. Song Chan-ui went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, Austin went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, Park Hae-min went 1-for-3 with two walks and two RBIs, and Koo Bon-hyuk went 2-for-4.

The real challenge came in the final innings. Since the previous day (the 28th), the sky over Busan had been unpredictable. Although only light rain was initially forecast, sudden downpours repeatedly struck the Sajik-dong area. On this day as well, a few raindrops fell during the game, and after LG completed its offensive turn in the top of the 7th, the rain intensified.

After Carrasco threw 89 pitches and exited, LG led 8-3 entering the bottom of the 7th and brought in closer Woo Kang-hoon. Catcher Lee Ju-heon was replaced by Park Dong-won. Woo allowed a walk to Son Seong-bin but retired Han Tae-yang on a groundout to second base. However, as the rain grew heavier, the game was suspended at approximately 8:44 p.m.

After the rain stopped, field maintenance began around 9:05 p.m., and the game resumed about 30 minutes later. Having waited 51 minutes, LG replaced Woo Kang-hoon with another reliever, John Kennedy, on the mound.

But as soon as play resumed, the weather turned against them again. Rain began falling immediately after Kennedy hit Hwang Sung-bin with a pitch on his second throw. Although Kennedy struck out Na Seung-yeop on three pitches despite the adverse conditions, the game was suspended once more just after he threw one pitch to Victor Reyes. Kennedy had thrown only six pitches in total.

Once the rain ceased, groundskeepers at Sajik Baseball Stadium spread fresh soil over the infield to prepare for resumption. However, around 10:05 p.m., just as preparations neared completion, heavy rain poured down again. Ultimately, at 10:17 p.m., the umpiring crew determined that continuing the game was no longer feasible and declared a rain-shortened victory for LG.

For LG, this meant using two relievers to record just two outs. Woo Kang-hoon threw 13 pitches over one-third of an inning, allowing one walk with no runs scored. Kennedy threw six pitches over one-third of an inning, hitting one batter and striking out one, also without allowing any runs. Neither pitcher earned a hold.

Lotte also suffered significant losses. Starting pitcher Kim Jin-wook was pulled early after pitching 4⅓ innings and allowing seven runs. The team then deployed five relief pitchers: Kim Han-gyeol, Lee Young-jae, Hyun Do-hoon, Jung Hyeon-su, and Lee Jin-ha. Although the rain cancellation over two consecutive days provided ample rest for the bullpen, it consumed many pitchers within a single day.

After the game, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop stated, “Park Hae-min’s leadoff RBI and Austin’s RBI allowed us to take control of the overall game flow. With additional runs needed, Song Chan-ui delivered a two-run sacrifice hit, and Moon Bo-kyung added a one-run sacrifice hit, creating a big inning that secured our victory.”

He also expressed gratitude to the 22,212 fans from both teams who attended the game that day. Manager Yeom said, “Carrasco fulfilled his role well as the starter, and I want to praise the players for maintaining focus despite the fluctuating weather. In particular, I sincerely thank the fans who stayed until the end to cheer us on even in the rain.”

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*This content was translated by AI.