Manager Lee Kang-cheol lets out a deep sigh: "First time I've seen a game like this in my baseball career → The 1-out, bases-loaded opportunity in the 10th inning was the most regrettable" [KS2 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lee Kang-cheol (60), manager of the KT Wiz, swallowed deep regret after losing Game 2 of the Korea Series following a grueling extra-inning battle that lasted 4 hours and 21 minutes.

After falling 2-3 to the Samsung Lions in a close contest that went into the 12th inning of extra time at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 4th, Manager Lee Kang-cheol let out a heavy sigh, stating, "I have never played baseball like this before."

The game began with a tense, high-quality pitching duel between KT starter Ko Young-pyo and Samsung's Chris Fiddick. With both starting pitchers solidly guarding the mound for 7 innings each while allowing only 1 run, neither team could easily break the deadlock in the latter half of the game due to a lack of follow-up hits. After Ko Young-pyo left the mound, KT deployed seven relief pitchers in an all-out effort. When Samsung took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 10th inning of extra time, KT immediately tied the score in the bottom of the 10th, but Samsung broke the tie again in the top of the 12th, deciding the outcome of the game.

Immediately after the game, Manager Lee Kang-cheol said, "All our players did well. In the end, it seems the final luck of the game went to their side," failing to hide his bitterness over the fact that the goddess of victory favored Samsung.

When asked to point out the most regrettable moment, Manager Lee said, "There are too many," but specifically mentioned the 1st-out, bases-loaded opportunity in the bottom of the 10th inning while the score was tied at 2-2. A well-hit ball by Oh Yoon-seok against Won Tae-in turned into a cruel line drive straight to the first baseman, causing KT to miss the chance to end the game. Reflecting on that moment, Manager Lee added, "It seems we failed to capitalize on the chances given by the opposing team. It is not anyone's fault."

Regarding mound management, he revealed that there was a fierce bench battle with the possibility of a 15-inning extra-time draw in mind. Manager Lee Kang-cheol explained, "In reality, when it comes to pitching usage, if they pitch well in that situation, it is considered good. No matter how good a pitcher you put out, if they get hit, it is over, so we brought them in quickly." He continued, "We also hesitated to use our cards easily while considering the possibility of playing until the 15th inning of extra time. In the worst-case scenario, we were prepared to use Logan Allen and Bae Jae-seong as well. Until then, we replaced pitchers with the intention of dragging it out as much as possible with the remaining pitchers."

Finally, Manager Lee Kang-cheol said, "All players did well. Personally, Kim Jung-woon (1⅓ scoreless innings) among the middle relievers definitely performed well. Park Young-hyun (1⅔ scoreless innings) showed that he is a pitcher I originally trust. We will prepare well for the next game," vowing to bounce back after the defeat in Game 2.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original