Hanwha Eagles’ Noh Shi-hwan exploded for three home runs: a ‘bang-bang’ leadoff solo shot, a runaway three-run shot, and a late-game pride shot.
With three home runs in one game for the first time in his career, Noh took a step closer to becoming the first home run king in his career, widening the gap between him and second-place Choi Jung (21 home runs) by five.
The game between the Hanwha Eagles, who needed to end their losing streak, and the KT Wiz, who needed to continue their winning streak, took place at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 9th.
Hanwha took the lead in the first inning as the centre of the batting order exploded with home runs. In the first inning, Moon Hyun-bin struck out and Jung Eun-won flied out to centre field, leaving Hanwha with only one out until the end of the inning. Two batters later, Noh Si-hwan, batting third, spun his bat wildly.
Facing a 1B 2S count against KT’s starting pitcher Uhm Sang-baek, Noh lined a four-pitch change-up. The ball flew in a high parabolic arc, and the left fielder and centre fielder gave up their defence in the rush. The ball hit right in the centre of the bat, and the moment it hit, it was a home run. With Noh Si-hwan at third, Chae Eun-sung took a fastball change-up for a back-to-back home run.
Hanwha got off to a flying start in the first inning with back-to-back home runs by Noh Si-hwan and Chae Eun-sung.
Leading 2-1, one run in the third. Leadoff hitter Ha Ju-seok singled to centre field. Two batters later, Moon Hyun-bin and Jung Eun-won hit back-to-back singles to load the bases.
Noh Si-hwan followed with a solo shot to centre field. 1B 1S On the count of three, KT starter Uhm Sang-baek bowled a 145km fastball in the middle of the pitch and Noh didn’t miss the opportunity. Noh spun his bat once again.
The ball flew with tremendous speed and went over the left-centre fence. A distance of 135 metres and a batting speed of 163 km/h. After hitting a home run off KT’s Uhm Sang-baek, Noh circled the bases and performed a ceremony towards the sky.
Moon Hyun-bin and Jung Eun-won, who were waiting at home for the home run hitter, cheered with him as he performed the ceremony.
Hanwha manager Choi Won-ho, whose team had lost three straight games, greeted the home run hitter with a beaming expression as he entered the dugout after hitting back-to-back home runs earlier in the game.
Uhm Sang-baek, who had a 5-6 record with a 3.48 ERA and just two earned runs allowed prior to this game, gave up two home runs to Hanwha’s Noh Si-hwan and a solo shot to Chae Eun-sung.안전놀이터
The fourth inning started with a 5-1, four-run lead. Peña’s pitches were shaky, allowing three runs. With the bases loaded in the fifth, Peña gave up an RBI single to Moon Sang-chul and a single to Jang Jang-woo.
Hanwha, who had hoped to snap a three-game losing streak with the help of Noh Si-hwan’s blistering home run earlier in the game, fell behind 12-5 through seven innings as the bullpen collapsed.
In the eighth inning, Noh batted leadoff and saved his pride with a solo shot against reliever Kim Young-hyun.
Noh, who hit three home runs in his first professional at-bat, was not happy to see his team fall so far behind after his last at-bat. Noh homered for five of Hanwha’s six runs on the day. He went 3-for-4 with three home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored. Despite his hot bat, he was unable to break Hanwha’s losing streak.