The KIA Tigers lost despite a great pitcher’s best effort, and the SSG Landers, who had 5 consecutive wins on the same day, rose to a tie for 4th place with the NC Dinos.스포츠토토
There are now 9 games remaining in KIA, and they are 4 games away from SSG and NC, tied for 4th place. If they are pushed any further, their hopes of advancing to fall baseball become even fainter.
The game between KT Wiz and KIA Tigers held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 5th. KIA, who recorded 1 win and 1 loss in the double header the previous day, took out the Yang Hyeon-jong card to narrow the gap against 5th place SSG. Yang Hyeon-jong, who recorded a quality start against SSG on September 40th by allowing 3 runs in 6.1 innings, took the mound as a starting pitcher after 4 days of rest to help the team at a critical time.
Big pitcher Yang Hyun-jong quickly settled the first and second innings without any major crises with aggressive pitching focusing on fastballs. In the top of the 3rd inning, with 2 outs and runners on 2nd base, Kim Do-young hit a go-ahead two-run shot against KT starter Jo Yi-hyun, lightening Yang Hyun-jong’s shoulders. However, Yang Hyun-jong’s lead did not last long as an error occurred during KIA’s defense in the bottom of the third inning.
After KT lead hitter Shin Bon-ki hit a double, Ahn Chi-young sent the runner to third base with a send-off bunt. In the ensuing game, KIA starter Yang Hyun-jong, who allowed a straight walk to Kim Sang-soo, allowed his first run with a timely hit from Hwang Jae-gyun. The defensive error that made it even more difficult for the shaky Yang Hyun-jong came during Alford’s at-bat. The moment a ground ball was successfully induced, a double play was expected, but while shortstop Kim Gyu-seong hit a ball between his legs, the tying runner Kim Sang-soo hit home. It was a painful defensive mistake for KIA, who had to end the inning.
After a defensive error, Yang Hyun-jong allowed a timely hit to Park Byeong-ho and a 1-RBI sacrifice fly to Jang Seong-woo, giving up 4 runs in just the 3rd inning. KIA starter Yang Hyeon-jong, who allowed a solo shot to KT Kim Sang-soo in the bottom of the 4th inning, took charge of the mound until the 6th inning for the team.
When Yang Hyun-jong, who had put forth all his might, came down from the mound after the sixth inning, the KIA away fans who visited the stadium chanted the big pitcher’s name. Yang Hyeon-jong also took off his hat and said hello.
Yang Hyeon-jong, who became the losing pitcher despite recording 96 quality starts in 6 innings, 5 hits, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, 5 runs, and 3 earned pitches, seemed more disappointed with the team’s loss than with his personal record.
It was a mixed day for KIA, who lost 5-3 and recorded their 2nd consecutive win, and SSG, who won 4-3 and recorded 5 consecutive wins. KIA, tied for 4th place and with 4 games remaining and 9 games remaining, will visit Jamsil on the 6th to face LG, who confirmed the regular season championship.