The top-ranked LG Twins rode their luck to a six-game winning streak.
LG won 2-1 against the visiting SSG Landers of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at SSG Landers Field in Incheon, South Korea, on Wednesday, thanks to a two-run home run by Austin Dean.
With the victory, LG, which has won six straight games, maintained a 6.5-game lead over second-place KT Wiz and began consolidating its top spot.
LG managed just two hits, but got lucky with a solid mound performance to secure the one-run victory.
LG took the lead in the first inning when leadoff hitter Hong Chang-ki drew a walk, and two batters later, Austin Dean hit a two-run home run to center field.
SSG had more chances than LG, but couldn’t capitalize.
In the bottom of the eighth, Choi Jeong-jeong’s double and two walks loaded the bases.
Park Sung-eun, who came to bat with a chance to tie the game, hit a bullet-like shot, but the ball hit the first baseman’s glove and fell to the umpire.
It was ruled fair on video review, but the runner at first base, Han Yoo-seom, was ruled out because he stopped instead of running to second base.
Park’s hit would have been a double if it hadn’t hit the umpire, giving him at least a chance to tie the game.
Unsatisfied with the video review, SSG coach Kim Won-hyung protested strongly and received an automatic ejection.
In the confusion, a runner scored from third base, but SSG was unable to capitalize on the ensuing runners on second and third, leaving them with a one-run loss.
LG starter Casey Kelly pitched six innings of four-hit shutout ball to earn the win.
Roenis Elias, who came on as SSG’s second pitcher in the third inning, struck out four and allowed one hit in seven innings, but did not get the win. 안전놀이터