“7 Innings, 1 Hit Allowed: A Career-Defining Pitch” — Kim Min-jun Secures 9th Win in Season Finale; NC Falls to SSG in Upset, “From 9th Place to at Least 7th” [Incheon On-Site Review]

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The SSG Landers secured a minimum of 7th place, rising from 9th amid a remarkable second-half turnaround. First and foremost, they will finish the season in a higher position than the NC Dinos, who were defeated on this day.

SSG won 6-3 against the NC Dinos in their home game at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 7th in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

By handing NC (63 wins, 77 losses, 2 draws) a four-game losing streak, SSG recorded 64 wins, 73 losses, and 5 draws, securing at least 7th place regardless of the results in their remaining two games. Depending on the outcomes of the Lotte Giants’ remaining games, SSG could finish as high as 6th.

While this record may not hold significant meaning given that the team has been eliminated from the postseason, it is noteworthy for how the surprising second-half resurgence builds anticipation for next year. After plummeting to 9th place with a record of 31 wins, 52 losses, and 3 draws in 86 games (a .373 winning percentage) during the first half—plagued by consecutive injuries to key players—the SSG became a completely different team in the second half.

They posted a record of 33 wins, 21 losses, and 2 draws in 56 games (a .611 winning percentage), rising to 2nd place in the second-half standings and climbing from 9th to 6th overall. The starting rotation, led by Pedro Avila and Kim Min-jun, came fully alive, and the team’s balance found equilibrium as a result.

Rookie Kim Min-jun, who started again today, dominated the NC lineup with a dominant performance. After pitching perfectly through two outs in the fourth inning, Kim threw 108 pitches over seven innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out eight batters for a scoreless outing.

The offense also provided support. In the third inning, with one out, Park Sung-han drew a walk, followed by Guillermo Heredia taking a hit-by-pitch on two outs. Subsequently, Jeon Ui-san crushed a 135 km/h high cutter thrown inside by Song Myung-gi, sending it over the center field fence for a lead-off three-run home run. It was his 13th of the season, tying his single-season career record set in 2022.

Following that, Ko Myung-jun hit a double, and reliever Shin Young-oo gave up two more runs on two wild pitches. Although he allowed three consecutive walks, Lee Jae-hak took over from the mound to extinguish the immediate threat.

However, SSG maintained their four-run lead thanks to Kim Min-jun’s strong pitching. In the bottom of the seventh inning, following hits by Jo Hyeong-woo and Kim Jung-min, a wild pitch occurred. With two outs and runners on second and third bases, Choi Ji-hoon drove in two runs with a hit, extending the lead to 6-0.

Jeon Young-jun, who entered in the eighth inning, allowed three hits (including one home run) and three runs without recording an out, creating a save situation. The subsequent reliever, Moon Seung-won, also faced consecutive hits, finding himself in a bases-loaded threat with one out and runners on second and third. However, he struck out Park Min-woo and got Kim Hwi-jip to ground out to the infield, erasing the crisis.

In the ninth inning, closer Jo Byung-hyun took the mound, holding onto the three-run lead to record his 23rd save of the season (2 wins, 4 losses). With the team protecting the lead, Kim Min-jun earned his ninth win of the season (3 losses) in his final start.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original