A struggling starter’s resurgence and a win. The LG Twins enjoyed a doubleheader sweep.
LG won 5-1 at home against the Hanwha Eagles in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League on Thursday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. It was their second straight win.
Returning starter Choi Won-tae led the way with seven innings of six-hit ball (one home run), one walk, eight strikeouts and one run. He picked up his ninth win of the season (6-0) and 13th quality start (6+ innings, 3 earned runs or less). At the plate, Austin Dean, Kim Hyun-soo, Oh Ji-hwan, and Kim Min-seong each had a home run.
Hanwha has lost three straight. Lee Tae-yang lasted five innings, allowing two runs on four hits (one homer) with three strikeouts, but Joo Hyun-sang gave up one run in the first inning and Lee Min-woo gave up two runs without recording a single out. Lee capped the scoring with a solo home run.
Starting lineup
-LG: Hong Chang-ki (R), Shin Min-jae (2B), Kim Hyun-soo (designated hitter), Austin (1B), Oh Ji-hwan (CF), Kim Min-sung (3B), Lee Jae-won (LF), Park Hae-min (C), Heo Do-hwan (C). Starting pitcher Choi Won-tae.
It was a comeback game for Choi Won-tae. On July 29, he left Kiwoom for LG in a trade, and on July 30, his first start, he pitched six scoreless innings against Doosan to earn the win. However, he struggled in August, going 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA in four games and 21 innings and a 14.29 ERA in two games and 5⅔ innings in September. He returned today after being removed from the first team on Aug. 11.
LG manager Yoon Kyung-yeop emphasized the importance of Choi’s fastball and changeup. Instead of throwing curveballs and sliders, which he had been doing recently, he ordered him to increase the proportion of fastballs and utilize the power of his main weapon, the changeup. “I want Won-tae Choi to pitch well. If he survives, he can be used as a starter or middle card in the postseason.”
-Hanwha: Lee Jin-young (right fielder), Choi In-ho (left fielder), Chae Eun-sung (first baseman), Nick Williams (designated hitter), Choi Jae-hoon (catcher), Jung Won (second baseman), Park Jung-hyun (third baseman), Jang Jin-hyuk (center fielder), Lee Do-yoon (shortstop). Starting pitcher Lee Tae-yang.
Park Jung-hyun, who spent 96 days in the second division refining his game, was called up on the 23rd and was in the starting lineup today.
1st and 2nd innings: Won-tae and Tae-yang battle it out
In the top of the first inning, Choi Won-tae struck out the leadoff batter, Lee Jin-young. After giving up a single to left to Choi In-ho, he retired Chae Eun-sung on five pitches and Williams on four pitches. All three pitches in the third inning were curveballs against Lee, Chae, and Williams. 스포츠토토
Lee ended the first inning with seven pitches. She got Hong Chang-ki to fly out to center, Shin Min-jae to ground out to second, and Kim Hyun-soo to fly out to second.
In the bottom of the second, Choi Won-tae struck out Choi Jae-hoon and grounded Jung Eun-won to first base for the second out. Park Jung-hyun followed with a double to left field. Jang Jin-hyuk grounded out to second base on a wild pitch to end the threat.
Lee had a smile on her face in the bottom of the inning as well. He got Austin to ground out to second, Oh Ji-hwan to ground out to first, and Kim Min-seong to fly out to shortstop.