Win or lose, it was a feast for the eyes. LG and KIA attracted fans with their energetic base-running performances in Games 1 and 2 of their doubleheader on September 9. The most notable of these was Park Hae-min and Hong Chang-ki’s “base-running show” in the top of the eighth inning of Game 1.
LG was down 3-5 in the top of the seventh inning and had runners on first and second. Hong Chang-ki pulled a fastball from reliever Jeon Sang-hyun to open the inning. First, second baseman Moon Sung-joo reached base. Kia right fielder Na Sung-beom gave up his home run and threw to third baseman Kim Do-young, aiming for first baseman Park Hae-min, who was stealing second and heading for third. It was accurate, but Park Hae-min was safe at third base.
However, Hong Chang-ki, who had hit a single and saw Na Sung-bum’s throw from first base, tried to advance to second. KIA quickly realized the move, and KIA third baseman Kim Do-young made an accurate throw to shortstop Park Chan-ho, who was covering second base. But Hong’s slide was too good. The ball slid past Park’s glove and was safe.
Here’s another detail. When Park Chan-ho tried to tag Hong Chang-gi, he momentarily turned his back on the mound and the batter’s box. He actually looked toward the outfield and paused for a moment, just a moment, as the safe call was made. This is the moment that third baseman Park Hae-min seized on.
Park Hae-min kept his eyes on Park Chan-ho and drove it straight to home plate for the safe run. Park Chan-ho’s throw home was accurate and fast, but Park Hae-min’s running and sliding were so good that it was hard for the catcher, Kim Tae-gun, to throw him out.
As Kia won the game, Park was not available for comment. It was clear that Kia’s Park Chan-ho, who delivered the game-winning hit, blamed the moment on his own 토토 mistake. “I was disappointed with my defense, and it turned the game against me, so I wanted to make up for it somehow,” he said.
Rather than Chan-ho’s mistake, Park Hae-min did a good job. Park Chan-ho also made up for his pinch-hitting in Game 1 with a game-winning hit. Park Hae-min, who played a storming base at that moment, was substituted in the second game to save his stamina. In addition, stolen bases by KIA’s Lee Woo-sung and Kim Tae-gun were rarely seen, making the doubleheader a feast for the eyes.
LG lost both Games 1 and 2 of the doubleheader, and the storming bats of Park Hae-min and Hong Chang-ki were ultimately overshadowed, but their fearlessness at the plate was undoubtedly impressive.