It could have been a long losing streak, but the players’ focus helped them escape their fourth straight defeat. For KT Wiz, the first win was more valuable than ever.

KT improved to 64-1, 51-0 (.557)메이저놀이터 with a 4-3 home win over the LG Twins in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on June 6.

Midway through the game, it looked like they were headed for back-to-back losses, but a dramatic turnaround occurred in the bottom of the ninth inning when they were down 0-3. Moon Sang-chul, pinch-hitting for leadoff hitter Song Min-seob, ignited the fire with a double to the left field wall, and Jang Jang-woo followed with an RBI single to make it 1-3. This is when things started to get weird.

After Ahn Chi-young struck out with the bases loaded, Park Kyung-soo walked on a full count, and Choi Jae-dae hit an RBI single to close the gap to one run. In addition, Kim Sang-soo drew a walk to load the bases with one out.

With the bases loaded, Kim Min-hyuk’s grounder to the first baseman forced out Park Kyung-soo at home, but the ‘veteran’ Hwang Jae-gyun made the save. With the count 2-2, Ko Woo-seok pulled a five-pitch slider, and the hard-hit grounder sailed past third baseman Moon Bo-kyung’s glove and into the outfield, bringing home the third baseman and second baseman Kim Sang-soo side-by-side. It was a moment of stark contrast between the two teams.

Not only did the players breathe a sigh of relief, but so did their manager. Before the 13th game of the season against LG on July 7, KT coach Lee Kang-cheol said, “Yesterday was like a big game. The rumored feast came true. The players said that (opposing starter) Kelly’s ball tip was good,” and then reflected on the previous day’s game, saying, “I think it was luck,” referring to the situation at the end of the ninth inning.

But for Lee, there was another moment that was crucial. It was the batting order. “It’s hard to single out one person,” Lee said, “but it was a big hit. That hit made the difference. It was a slider that came in at the right time, and it was a slider that came in soft and hit the tip of the bat,” Lee said. “It could have ended with a single or a double, but it put runners on first and second with one out, so I didn’t know what to make of it.”

Meanwhile, KT, which is challenging Lee Jeong-yong for a sweep, has a lineup of Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Cho Yong-ho (right fielder), Hwang Jae-gyun (third baseman), Park Byung-ho (designated hitter), Bae Jeong-dae (center fielder), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Lee Ho-yeon (first baseman), Park Kyung-soo (second baseman), and Kim Sang-soo (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Ko Young-pyo. Park Byung-ho, who is not yet fully fit, continues to play designated hitter, while Alford, who has been struggling lately, is out of the starting lineup.