LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yup's aggressive approach to base running cost them the game.
The 'game changer' that was supposed to turn the tide of the game in LG's favor, the pinch runner, did the opposite.
LG used two pinch runners. The first is Choi Seung-min and the second is Choi Won-young.
Choi Seung-min is a mid-season trade from the NC Dinos after Shin Min-jae became the starting second baseman last year. Choi was a rookie who was selected by Yeom after seeing how desperately he hit and ran in exhibition games this season. As a developmental player, he played in the Futures League until April, gaining experience as a pinch runner and infielder, before being promoted to the first team in May.
Initially, Yeom planned to send Choi Seung-min to the second team to play when Choi Won-young was in the first team. Because Choi Seung-min is a pinch runner, he rarely gets to bat or play defense, even though he is on the first team. However, I kept both Choi Seung-min and Choi Won-young in the first team because I wanted to change the flow of the game with two fast runners at crucial moments.
The game against Jamsil Kiwoom Heroes on the 16th was a game where the two big runners were supposed to be the 'game changers'. The big hitters, who were supposed to disrupt Kiwoom's defense, were easily out on the ground, giving up outs and allowing their opponents to do good things.
LG had a tough time with starter Dietrick Enns, who was roughed up for six runs in 3⅔ innings. However, the offense took advantage of Ariel Furado. They scored four runs in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 4-6, 2-2. With one out in the bottom of the fifth, No. 6 Kim Bum-seok singled to right, and Yoon 토토사이트 immediately brought in Choi Seung-min to pinch-hit. He wanted to score one run and put the pressure on. Four pitches later, Choi stole second on a 133-kilometer cutter from Furado in the 2B1S. Kiwoom catcher Kim Jae-hyun's throw to second was a little high, but Choi was late. Tag out. Kim Bum-seok, who has a good bat, was brought in to pinch-hit, but he only got one out.
Trailing 5-6 in the top of the seventh inning. After Moon Sung-joo led off with a single and failed to steal second base, catcher Heo Do-hwan lined a double to left-center field to revive hope. Yoon brought in Choi Won-young for the second out. Choi flied out to center field. Moon Bo-kyung stepped up to the plate with two outs. The ball sailed behind the plate, putting runners at second and third. Now, a small mistake could tie the game.
But on the third pitch in 1B1S, catcher Kim Jae-hyun suddenly throws to third, and third baseman Song Sung-moon tags Choi Won-young. Out. It was an out that wasn't even eligible for video review. Choi Won-young, who has no first-team experience, was caught in a defensive maneuver by Kiwoom. Third baseman Song Sung-moon was far away from third base with a defensive shift in preparation for Moon Bo-kyung. Choi Won-young had a big lead, but when Kim Sung-min pitched, Song sneaked to third base, and catcher Kim Jae-hyun threw to third as soon as he received the ball, narrowly catching Choi Won-young.
LG had runners on second and third in the bottom of the eighth and first and second in the bottom of the ninth, but they couldn't overcome the one-run deficit and lost 5-6.
