An evenly matched performance left the manager smiling.
KT Wiz won 8-3 at home against SSG Landers in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League on Wednesday at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, South Korea. The win snapped a two-game losing streak and sent SSG to its second straight loss.
The starting lineup for the game was Cheon Sung-ho (second base), Mel Rojas Jr. (left field), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Moon Sang-chul (first base), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Lee Ho-yeon (third base), Ahn Chi-young (center field), Jung Jun-young (right field), and Kim Sang-soo (shortstop). Wes Benjamin started the game.
Benjamin picked up the win. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits (one home run) with two walks and six strikeouts in six innings, his second quality start of the season (six or more innings of work and three or fewer earned runs). Earned his first win in four games.
Totaled 93 pitches (62 for strikes). His fastball (62) was the primary offering, followed by a slider (15), cutter (13), curve (2), and changeup (1). His fastball topped out at 150 km/h.
Lee Sang-dong pitched one inning of scoreless relief and Kim Min-soo pitched one inning of scoreless relief to secure the hold. Lee Chae-ho pitched one scoreless inning to close out the final nine.
At the plate, Kim Sang-soo went 2-for-4 with two doubles (one home run) and three RBIs. He hit a three-run homer to left field with runners on first and third in the bottom of the second inning. In addition, Ahn Chi-young went 4-for-3 with one RBI, Hwang Jae-gyun, who came off the bench, went 3-for-2 with one RBI, and Chun Sung-ho and Moon Sang-cheol each went 2-for-4 with one RBI.
After the game, KT manager Lee Kang-cheol said, "Benjamin got off to a good start in good form. The bullpen did a good job in a crisis situation and we were able to win the game," Lee said, adding, "It's 안전놀이터 encouraging to see that the middle pitchers are improving."
"In the batting lineup, Moon Sang-chul's tying hit and Kim Sang-soo's home run set the tone. We were able to capitalize on the opponent's mistakes to win the game," he added.
"I want to thank the fans for their support. We promise to do better in the future," Lee said.
KT evened the score in the bottom of the first inning after falling behind 1-0. Chun walked and Rojas singled to right, putting runners on first and second. Kang Baek-ho grounded out to first, putting runners on second and third. Moon Sang-chul singled to center field, RBI. It was 1-1.
In the bottom of the second inning, the team added another run. Ahn Chi-young hit an infield single to shortstop. Ahn took advantage of a throwing error by the opposing shortstop, Park Sung-sung, and raced to third base. Jung Jun-young drew a walk to put runners on first and third. Kim Sang-soo then took a five-pitch, 147 km/h fastball from starter Robert Duggar for a three-run home run over the left-field fence. It was his first arching shot of the season and gave his team a 4-1 lead.
KT had a chance in the bottom of the fourth when leadoff hitter Kim Sang-soo doubled to right. Chun Sung-ho followed with an RBI single to right to make it 4-1.
After giving up a single run in the top of the sixth and seventh innings, KT trailed 5-3 after seven innings. In the bottom of the eighth inning, they drove in a run. With the bases loaded, Kang Baek-ho reached on a throwing error by second baseman Kim Sung-hyun. Moon Sang-chul singled to left and Jang Sung-woo grounded into a fielder's choice to shortstop, putting runners on first and second. Hwang Jae-gyun hit an RBI single to center field. The score was 6-3.
Ahn Chi-young followed with an RBI single. A throwing error by center fielder Choi Ji-hoon allowed Hwang Jae-gyun to score. KT extended its lead to 8-3. In the top of the ninth, Lee Chae-ho pitched a scoreless inning to end the game on a high note.
