'Kim Gyeongmunho' Second Friendly Match Ends in Draw... LG Mound Faces Defeat

Starting pitcher Kim Min-woo pitches 3 innings with 1 hit, 3 strikeouts, and no runs allowed
Kim Kyung-moon: "A tough game, but a valuable experience"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The 'Kim Kyung-moon team' ended in a draw against LG in an exhibition game. The baseball national team participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics tied 2-2 with LG in the exhibition match held on the 24th at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Trailing 1-2 before the bottom of the 9th inning, Kim Hye-sung tied the game at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly to center field with one out and bases loaded. The next batter, Park Geon-woo, hit a ball straight to the first baseman, failing to turn the game around.

The national team defeated Sangmu 9-0 in the previous day's exhibition game. LG was not as easy as Sangmu. Especially, the mound, where young pitchers were used, held the national team’s batters to just one hit until the bottom of the 6th inning. Starter Son Joo-young allowed only one hit and one walk over three innings. Lee Sang-young and Lee Sang-gyu also pitched two innings and one inning respectively without allowing any runs.

The national team’s starter Kim Min-woo pitched three innings, allowing one hit, striking out three, and giving up no runs. However, Park Se-woong, who took over the baton, faced a bases-loaded no-out situation in the top of the 6th inning after issuing three consecutive walks. LG scored the first run with Chae Eun-sung’s single to right field. During this play, the national team’s shortstop Oh Ji-hwan collided with Chae Eun-sung and suffered a facial contusion. He was immediately taken to the hospital for suturing treatment.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the bottom of the 7th inning with two outs, Oh Jae-il hit a solo home run by driving Kim Dae-sung’s curveball. However, in the bottom of the 9th inning with a bases-loaded no-out chance, the team managed to score only one run and failed to extend their winning streak.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon said after the game, "The opposing pitchers threw good balls," and added, "I think having a tough game was a good experience." Regarding Oh Ji-hwan, he said, "I heard there is no problem with his participation in the Olympics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.