Benjamin no-hit, Rojas two homers, five-game losing streak snapped

 

They lost all week, but not until the final day.

After losing three games in a row against the Hanwha Eagles in the middle of the week, KT lost two games in a row against the LG Twins.

Despite playing their ace, William Cuevas, the day before, they were once again vulnerable to LG, losing 2-8 and losing five games in a row.

They couldn't lose on the 9th. KT started Wes Benjamin, who had a strong showing against LG on that day, while LG used substitute Lee Woo-chan due to an injury to Im Chan-kyu.

“When the substitutes come in, we need to score early,” said KT coach Lee Kang-cheol, who paid particular attention to the batting lineup. The batting order was different than usual. Kang Baek-ho was used in right field, while catcher Jang Sung-woo, designated hitter Moon Sang-chul, and first baseman Oh Jae-il were all used in the lineup, creating a batting lineup centered on hitting.

The starting lineup was Rojas (left fielder)-Hwang Jae-gyun (third baseman)-Kang Baek-ho (right fielder)-Jang Sung-woo (catcher)-Moon Sang-chul (designated hitter)-Oh Jae-il (first baseman)-Oh Yun-seok (second baseman)-Bae Jeong-dae (center fielder)-Kim Sang-soo (shortstop).

Lee's wishes were fulfilled. Benjamin was strong against LG, allowing just three hits, three walks and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. His fifth win of the season. Benjamin, who pitched six innings of one-run ball in the first game against LG on April 6, pitched another solid outing to earn the win.

The bats came alive early on, much to the relief of Benjamin and Lee. After Rojas singled to lead off the inning and Kang Baek-ho drew a walk to put runners on 먹튀검증 first and second, Jang Jang-woo doubled down the left field line to score two runs. Moon Sang-chul and Oh Jae-il then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases.

LG made a quick pitching change and brought up Kim Dae-hyun. However, No. 7 Oh Yoon-seok calmly picked off four pitches from a sluggish Kim Dae-hyun and scored a run on a wild pitch and another run on an infield grounder by Choi Jae-dae to make it 4-0.

In the bottom of the second, leadoff hitter Rojas launched a solo shot over the right field wall. His 17th of the season. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the offense came alive again. After Hwang Jae-gyun singled to right center and Kang Baek-ho doubled down the left field line to score a run, KT added a run on Jang Sung-woo's single to the right field fence to make it 7-0. KT then scored a run on a double to right field by the second baseman to make it 8-0.

In the bottom of the seventh, Rojas hit back-to-back home runs with a two-run shot and Hwang Jae-gyun hit a solo shot. Rojas tied for first place in home runs with his 17th and 18th. He also reached 150 career home runs.

LG scored two runs in the top of the eighth on a double by substitute Choi Myung-kyung and a walk by Ahn Ik-hoon, followed by a single by Moon Bo-kyung and a groundout by Heo Do-hwan.

After the game, manager Lee Kang-cheol said, “Starting pitcher Benjamin played his role with Jang Sung-woo in good harmony and laid the foundation for the victory. Jang Jang-woo's leadoff double and Rojas' home run set the tone for the game,” and praised the players.

“I want to thank the players for a great week and the fans for their support,” Lee said, adding, “We will prepare to show them a better game next week.”