'Kim Do-young-Han Dong-hee-Moon Hyun-bin, no hits in 10 at-bats' Powerless core lineup could not win despite 'NC duo's valiant effort' [APBC]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Starting with Kim Do-young (KIA), who took a step up while shouting "Strong No. 2," and followed by An Hyun-min (KT) and Han Dong-hee (Lotte), whose combination was expected to form a powerful home run corps, ended in a complete failure in the first game.

The Korean national baseball team suffered an 8-7 comeback loss against Australia in the first preliminary match of the 2026 Asia Pro Baseball Championship (APBC) held at Tokyo Dome in Japan on the 12th.

There were many regrettable scenes, but it was painfully clear that the core lineup failed to generate power. Kim Do-young, who is a strong contender for both the batting double crown and Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the league, managed only no hits in four at-bats, while captain Han Dong-hee and Moon Hyun-bin (both with no hits in three at-bats) also fell silent.

The start was not good. The monster rookie Kim Min-jun, who started on the mound, was dragged down after consecutive walks followed by a three-run home run to Blake Cribb. In the third inning as well, he handed the ball over to Jo Dong-wook after loading the bases, but gave up additional runs, widening the score gap to 0-4.

Through the third inning, Kim Hui-jip's hit was the only one. In the fourth inning, An Hyun-min hit a single to center field, but Han Dong-hee poured cold water on the momentum with a double play. Kim Do-young could not even produce a ball that cleared the infield.

A miraculous comeback was achieved in the sixth inning. Pinch hitter Kim Ji-chan changed the atmosphere with a double, and Kim Ju-won hit a two-run home run. After Kim Do-young struck out, An Hyun-min, Han Dong-hee, and Moon Hyun-bin all walked to create bases loaded with two outs, and Kim Hui-jip succeeded in taking the lead with a three-RBI cleanup double. Kim Hui-jip also scored on a perfect slide during Park Jae-hyun's short hit.

Kim Do-young struck out again with one out and a runner on first base in the seventh inning, and although Kim Ju-won stole second base, An Hyun-min hit a fly ball to left field, failing to capitalize on the opportunity to run away.

A painful tie was allowed in the top of the eighth inning. After an error by Kim Hui-jip allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base, Park Jung-min hit a two-run home run. Han Dong-hee and Moon Hyun-bin, who took the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning, struck out consecutively, bowing their heads.

In the end, the lead was surrendered in the ninth inning. After Choi Jun-yong gave up two runs and was replaced, the team seized its final opportunity in the bottom of the ninth. With Heo In-seo's walk and Kim Ju-won's double, it became bases loaded with one out, but as Kim Do-young hit a sacrifice fly to right field and An Hyun-min hit a fly ball to second base, two outs were added, and the game ultimately ended 7-8.

The performances of the NC duo, Kim Ju-won and Kim Hui-jip, stood out. Kim Ju-won recorded two hits in five at-bats, including a chasing two-run home run, one stolen base, two RBIs, and one run scored, while Kim Hui-jip had two hits in four at-bats with three RBIs and also scored on a perfect slide. Although an error occurred in the top of the eighth inning, it was a part that could be offset by his performance at the plate.

More than that, it was painfully clear that the core lineup, starting from Kim Do-young and continuing to An Hyun-min, Han Dong-hee, and Moon Hyun-bin, managed only one hit and one RBI in 14 at-bats. Although An Hyun-min, Han Dong-hee, and Moon Hyun-bin all walked in the sixth inning to score runs, it was a failing grade when viewed as the role of the core lineup that should directly solve problems.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original