Han Seung-hyuk (30) and Kang Jae-min (27) gave up three runs apiece against Gochuk Kiwoom on April 25. Han Seung-hyuk was pulled early after giving up three runs on four hits and three walks in just 2.2 innings.
While Lee tossed the remaining 2.1 scoreless innings, the offense rallied to tie the game at 3-3 in the sixth inning. Kang Jae-min, who replaced Lee on the mound, gave up back-to-back singles to leadoff hitters Song Sung-moon and Lee Hyung-jong and a two-run double to Kim Dong-heon. He was forced to leave the game after giving up three runs in just 0.2 innings.
Outside of those two, Lee Tae-yang, Kim Bum-soo, Jang Si-hwan, Joo Hyun-sang, and Han Seung-joo held the mound without allowing another run, and the offense scored 13 runs in the eighth inning alone, ending the game with a 16-6 Hanwha victory.
Despite the victory, the starting and bullpen duo failed to fulfill their roles. “It was (Han) Seung-hyuk’s first start in almost four weeks, and although he pitched 0.1 innings a few days ago, I don’t think it’s fair to say that he pitched yesterday under the right conditions,” said Hanwha manager Choi Won-ho, who met with Kiwoom before the game on Saturday.
Han Seung-hyuk’s last start before the previous day’s game was against KT in Daejeon on March 28, and he left the mound after giving up four runs on eight hits in three innings. Choi predicted Han Seung-hyuk to start against SSG on the 30th, saying, “He has to be able to convince himself. It’s been raining for a month and he hasn’t been able to throw the ball.”안전놀이터
Choi also reserved judgment on Kang Jae-min. He hadn’t pitched a complete game in three games in July, including the previous day.
“He’s a player with the ability to throw strikes, a changeup, and fastball movement, but he didn’t do well in the second half of the season,” Choi said. “You can’t drop a player who’s already established himself after a few games. “You can’t drop a player who has established himself just because he hasn’t played a few games.