It was a victory that ended a four-game losing streak, but for Kiwoom Heroes coach Hong Won-ki, it was no laughing matter.
Kiwoom won 9-6 against the KIA 메이저놀이터 Tigers at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on April 15. Kim Hye-seong accounted for five hits, including a grand slam in the fourth inning and an RBI single in the sixth, while starting pitcher Ariel Furado pitched six innings of two-run quality ball to set the stage for the win.
In the top of the fourth inning, Kiwoom broke through with a five-run big inning on Kim Jun-wan’s push single and Kim Hye-sung’s RBI single. In the top of the sixth inning, Kia’s Yang Hyun-jong scored three runs off Kim Ki-hoon to extend the lead to 8-0. In the bottom of the sixth, Furado cut into the lead with a two-run single off Na Sung-beom, but Kiwoom responded with a run in the top of the seventh. Anyone could have predicted a comfortable win for Kiwoom.
However, in the bottom of the seventh, Kim Jae-woong, who took over for Hurado, ran into trouble with his pitches and gave up four runs. Kim Sung-jin came to the mound in a hurry, but was unable to get out of the jam with the bases loaded. He struck out Byun Woo-hyuk to get out of the jam, but his recent bullpen woes were on full display in the bottom of the eighth when Lim Chang-min walked with runners on second and third.
Hong said after the game, “Furado pitched well until the sixth inning and fulfilled his duties as a starter. “On offense, Kim Hye-sung led the offense with four hits, including a grand slam,” said Hong. “We had some difficulties in the second half of the game, but Lim Chang-min finished well like a veteran,” he said. “We are grateful to the fans who traveled all the way to Gwangju in the hot weather to support us. We will prepare well for tomorrow’s game.”