'Recent 10-game batting average of 0.143' — Despite the slump, he crossed Jamsil with a 177.1 km/h bullet! LG's Moon Jung-bin: "I hope today's home run becomes a turning point to boost my batting feel" [Jamsil on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The bat, which had been difficult to unlock for some time, answered with its most powerful swing. LG Twins' Moon Jung-bin (23) fired a signal for his comeback with a massive 177.1 km/h home run.

On the 2nd, Moon Jung-bin started at first base and batted sixth in the regular-season matchup against Doosan Bears at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium. He went 4-for-4 with two hits (one home run), one RBI, and two runs scored, contributing to LG's 5-1 victory.

With today's win, LG extended their winning streak to three games, improving their record to 66 wins, one tie, and 51 losses. They secured a winning series by taking the first two victories in the final three-game regular-season rivalry against Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

This game was especially welcome for Moon Jung-bin, whose batting feel had noticeably declined recently. In his last 10 games, he managed only a .143 batting average (6 hits in 42 at-bats), and in August's 18 games, he fell into a slump with a .195 average (15 hits in 77 at-bats). Even in the previous day's Doosan game, which marked the start of September, he went hitless in three at-bats.

He did not look completely resolved today either. In his first at-bat, Moon Jung-bin singled to left field against Doosan starter Choi Seung-yong, but in his second plate appearance in the 3rd inning, he swung and missed at a combination of fastball, curveball, and forkball, resulting in a strikeout. He struck out on just three pitches.

In his third at-bat of the 6th inning, he also started with an unfavorable count. Moon Jung-bin watched two outside pitches and fell behind 0 balls to 2 strikes. He then fouled off a high pitch inside, ending the at-bat with a foul fly out to the catcher.

Nevertheless, in his final at-bat, he showcased his greatest weapon: extra-base power. With LG leading 4-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning and one out, Moon Jung-bin faced Doosan's Park Chi-guk's outside curveball. The bat made contact again, leaving him with an unfavorable count of 0 balls to 2 strikes.

This time, he did not miss. Moon Jung-bin drove Park Chi-guk's 147 km/h fastball, thrown on a similar outside trajectory, into right-center field, sending the ball well over the fence. The batted-ball speed reached an impressive 177.1 km/h, with a distance of 131.1 meters. It was his 16th home run of the season, a go-ahead shot that extended LG's lead to 5-1.

After the game, Moon Jung-bin said, "I'm glad I hit a home run, but I'm even happier that the team could win." He added, "It had been a long period where my batting feel wasn't good, so I tried to clear my mind and swing freely, and I got a hit in my first at-bat."

He admitted he hadn't expected it to be a home run. Moon Jung-bin laughed, saying, "After hitting it, I thought it would bounce once and reach second base, so I ran hard, but the ball went over the fence. It was great."

He did not attach much significance to the fact that it was a pulled home run at Jamsil. Instead, he found clues for his comeback in the direction of the batted ball itself. Moon Jung-bin stated, "I don't place much meaning on hitting a pulled home run at Jamsil," but added, "When my batting feel is good, I tend to hit many quality balls by pulling them. I think this home run could be a sign that my batting feel is improving."

He can now look forward to meaningful records in his first full season. With 16 home runs recorded, Moon Jung-bin has four more to reach the 20th-home run mark. He continues to demonstrate consistent power with 10 doubles and two triples, while maintaining an OPS (on-base plus slugging) above 0.900.

However, the young slugger remained composed. Moon Jung-bin emphasized, "It would be great if I hit 20 home runs, but what matters most is not necessarily hitting a home run; my biggest goal is to deliver when the team needs runs."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original