'9-game losing streak → 3 games, 33 runs → 3-game winning streak' Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon: "This is how it should be; there aren't many games left..." Aggressive approach to the Hanwha lineup [Daejeon field]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Hanwha Eagles' batting lineup, which had slumbered through August's heatwave, has fully awakened. In three games, they scored 33 runs, snapped their long losing streak, and secured a three-game winning streak.

Kim Kyung-moon (68), the Hanwha manager, met with reporters ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game against the Doosan Bears at Daejeon Hanwha Life Park on the 8th, stating, "Our offense has been performing better than before in recent games, and this is how it should be. Offense must be aggressive. We cannot wait or play cautiously. With so few games remaining, that approach is not acceptable."

Hanwha, which had been competing for a top-five spot, posted a dismal 3-15 record in August, distancing itself from the postseason race. The gap to fifth-place Doosan Bears is as large as nine games.

Both pitching and batting collapsed, but even when the starting pitcher performed well, the lineup often failed to support him, causing momentum to slip away. Manager Kim emphasized, "The batting lineup must step up."

It was ultimately the batting lineup that saved Hanwha from its nine-game losing streak. After traveling to Busan for their first game on the 4th, Hanwha recorded a decisive 14-4 victory with 19 hits and snapped the losing streak. They followed with an 11-6 win on the 5th and an 8-2 win on the 6th, achieving a three-game winning streak. Six home runs were hit across the three games. With 33 runs scored, they overpowered Lotte.

Manager Kim said, "We have frequently failed to score many runs. The players are currently not in poor condition and are hitting aggressively, so I think we should see how it goes today. I expect good batting performances."

Hanwha set its starting lineup for the day as follows: Sim Woo-jun (shortstop), Yonatan Peraza (right fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (left fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Noh Si-hwan (third baseman), Kim Tae-yeon (first baseman), Heo In-seo (catcher), Choi In-ho (center fielder), and Lee Do-yoon (second baseman). Ryu Hyun-jin will make the starting appearance.

There are no changes to the starting roster. The only adjustment is that Peraza has been moved up to bat second. Manager Kim stated, "He's improved a bit, so I moved him up to second," adding, "Perhaps because the weather has become cooler, he seems to have improved slightly."

Peraza, who had been performing brilliantly, struggled in July with a .232 batting average and in August with a .125 average. However, since September, he has hit at a .500 clip. He also displayed strong defensive play. Manager Kim smiled, saying, "He showed too much showmanship," and praised him by adding, "It's great to see him concentrating and working hard to contribute both offensively and defensively."

Meanwhile, starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin will aim for his ninth win of the season, approximately three months after his last victory on June 11 against KIA (6 innings, one run allowed). In the meantime, he has recorded only three losses in ten games. A win is essential for Ryu Hyun-jin to reach double-digit victories.

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*This content was translated by AI.