[By Lee So-young | Sports Seoul — Munhak] “The players stayed locked in through a tense extra-innings finish, and that’s why we won.”
The Lotte Giants battled through a tight extra-innings affair to earn a valuable road win. Manager Kim Tae-hyung, 59, praised his players’ focus and also thanked the fans who packed the visiting section.
Lotte topped SSG 10-7 in the opener of the three-game weekend series at Incheon SSG Landers Field on May 1, part of the 2026 KBO League regular season.
The victory pushed Lotte to 10 wins and extended their streak to two. After falling behind for much of the game, the Giants turned the tide with big innings in the sixth and the top of the 10th.
Starter Park Se-woong delivered 6 1/3 innings, allowing six hits (one homer), issuing three walks, striking out five and surrendering three runs. After an early home run put him on the back foot, Park settled in—retiring the side in order in the third and fifth innings—and showed the command expected of an ace. He threw 102 pitches, with his fastball peaking at 149 km/h (92.6 mph), mixing in a curve, slider, forkball and sweeper.
The offense came through late. Lotte collected 12 hits and erupted for the decisive runs down the stretch. Kim credited the team’s composure, saying their focus through extra innings made the win possible.
The game was deadlocked 6-6 through the bottom of the ninth. In the top of the 10th, Kim Min took the mound. Yoon Dong-hee drew a walk and Son Seong-bin followed with a single to right. With no outs and runners at first and second, Lee Ho-joon struck out swinging and Jeon Min-jae popped out to short. Jang Du-seong and Park Seung-wook then delivered back-to-back hits that produced three insurance runs.
Kim singled out those moments, saying, “Jang Du-seong’s RBI and Park Seung-wook’s two-run hit shifted the momentum.”
Kim closed by thanking the fans who energized the team from the road section. sshong@sportsseoul.com
