“In the end, (Oh) Ji-hwan must be saved. The coaching staff, himself, is working very hard to raise the batting pace.”
LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop hoped for Oh Ji-hwan’s revival.
LG, led by head coach Yeom, will play an away game against manager Hong Won-ki’s Kiwoom Heroes in the 2025 professional baseball KBO League at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Those who lost 1-2 after extra blood in the previous day’s game (6th) seek revenge through the game.
Before the game, LG canceled right-handed utta infielder Moon Jung-bin and right-handed utta catcher Kim Sung-woo from the first-team entry. Instead, right-hander bullpen resources Jang Hyun-sik and right-handed right-handed infielder Son Yong-joon were called up. Son Yong-joon was also listed in the starting lineup as the eighth batter and third baseman.
Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop, who met ahead of the game on the 7th, said, “(Son Yong-joon) had the best hitting sense in the second division. Today is the starting third baseman. He had many third baseman and shortstop in the second division. I tried to use it after training. When I checked it recently, it was consistently playing well. When I asked the defensive coaches about it, he explained, “I said it was okay.”
This is also because Moon Bo-kyung, who is complaining of knee pain, is not yet able to defend the third baseman.
Coach Yeom said, “I think we need more time (for Moon Bo-kyung to see the third baseman’s defense). That’s why I can’t give time to (Oh) Ji-hwan (who has recently been in poor batting). In the end, Ji-hwan has to save. The best situation for the team and Ji-hwan is to find his batting condition through practice as Ji-hwan plays defense behind him in the winning game. As the leader of the team, Ji-hwan clearly does (Park) Hae-min’s atmosphere and things like this,” he nodded.
Oh Ji-hwan, who has played in 60 games this season, is slowing down with a batting average of 0.220 (39 hits in 177 at-bats) with six home runs and 26 RBIs. He hit only 0.184 (14 hits in 76 at-bats) in May, and has had no hits in the last three consecutive games.
Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop said, “We are trying to foster and perform together, but we are still in the process of growing backups to cover Ji-hwan. From the manager’s point of view, Ji-hwan should absolutely survive. The team is showing enormous influence to work together in the midst of difficulties, and they are making a lot of sacrifices. We have to save Ji-hwan somehow. That’s why he let go of defense yesterday (6th). After that, it was tied and went to bat. So far, I can’t find the balance, so I want to keep him out of the batter’s box, but I got tied and went into the batter’s box,” he said.
“(Oh Ji-hwan) is working very hard on the coaching staff and himself to raise the batting pace.” Even though he is in a bad situation, he is good at pressuring the players. When the backups go out, they give advice and they are doing so well. If you’re making an impression that you’re out of it, you won’t want to see it, but you’re doing your job so well, he said. “How good do you want to be?” It’s playing a really important role. Even if I can’t (hit), I’ve been good at my roles in the team so far,” he stressed.
Raul Alcantara, who recently returned to the KBO League, will be the starting pitcher for Kiwoom on this day. Alcantara met LG 12 times in his career and struggled with a 2-8 record and 5.45 ERA.
Coach Yeom said, “The hitting coach hit the Alcantara ball well. I have to watch it,” he said, going to the ground.
Meanwhile, along with pitcher Lim Chan-kyu, LG set up a starting list of Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Kim Hyun-soo (left fielder), Austin Dean (first baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (designated hitter), Park Dong-won (captor), Moon Sung-joo (right fielder), Koo Bon-hyuk (striker), Son Yong-joon (third baseman), and Park Hae-min (middle fielder).
[Kochuk (Seoul) = Lee Han-joo, MK Sports Reporter]
