Lotte’s Strong Baseball: 3 Pitchers, 9 Times, 4 Batters Chase 1st and 0.5g
Lotte Giants Rally for Dramatic Win Against NC Dinos

BUSAN,South Korea – The Lotte Giants battled back for a thrilling 4-3 victory against the NC Dinos at Sajik Baseball Stadium on Saturday,fueled by a late-inning rally and strategic pitching changes.
The win, Lotte’s fourth straight, propelled them to a 20-13 record, joining the LG Twins as the only teams in the KBO League to reach 20 wins this season. Lotte also closed the gap with league-leading LG to just half a game.
Early Lead, Mid-Game Slump
Lotte jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. After a leadoff double by Son Ah-seop,Victor Reyes drove him in with a single to center field. Na Seung-yeop’s walk extended the inning, and Reyes later scored to give Lotte a 2-0 advantage.
However, the Giants’ bats went quiet, allowing the NC Dinos to mount a comeback. Lotte starter Na kyun-an held the Dinos scoreless through six innings but was pulled after allowing a leadoff runner in the seventh.
NC Dinos’ Comeback and Lotte’s Response
The Dinos capitalized in the eighth, tying the game 2-2 after capitalizing on walks and a fielder’s choice. They then took a 3-2 lead after a bases-loaded walk to Seo Ho-cheol and a subsequent hit by Kim Hyung-jun.
Lotte responded promptly in the bottom of the eighth. Hwang Sung-bin and Ko Seung-min led off with back-to-back hits, and Reyes was hit by a pitch to load the bases.Na Seung-yeop then delivered a clutch two-run single, putting Lotte back on top 4-3.
Strategic Pitching Changes Secure the Win
Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung employed a series of pitching changes in the ninth to secure the victory. Left-hander Song Jae-young started the inning, followed by Gu Seung-min. veteran Kim sang-soo was brought in to close the game.
Kim Sang-soo sealed the win by inducing a groundout from Park Min-woo, capping off a dramatic victory for the Giants.

Manager’s Perspective
Following the game, manager Kim Tae-hyung acknowledged the pressure on his relief pitchers. “I think I was a little impatient because I tried to stop the middle pitchers well,” Kim said.
Na kyun-an, the Lotte starter, commented on the team’s focus. “I was a little surprised [by the pitching changes], but I thought it could be when I saw the flowing atmosphere,” he said. “Even if you don’t talk about it, if you move, the players know in advance, so it truly seems to have a mood to win.”
Lotte Giants Secure Thrilling Victory Over NC dinos: A Q&A
What happened in the Lotte Giants vs. NC Dinos game?
the Lotte Giants secured a dramatic 4-3 victory against the NC Dinos at Sajik Baseball Stadium on Saturday. The Giants rallied in the late innings, fueled by strategic pitching changes, and ultimately won their fourth straight game.
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was Lotte Giants 4, NC Dinos 3.
How did the Lotte Giants start the game?
The lotte giants got off to a strong start, scoring two runs in the first inning. Son Ah-seop hit a leadoff double,followed by Victor Reyes’s single to center field. Na Seung-yeop’s walk extended the inning, and Reyes later scored, giving Lotte a 2-0 lead.
What happened in the middle innings?
After the initial burst of offense, the Lotte Giants’ bats went quiet. The NC Dinos capitalized on this slump, eventually mounting a comeback. Lotte’s starting pitcher, Na kyun-an, held the Dinos scoreless for six innings but was then pulled in the seventh after allowing a leadoff runner.
How did the NC Dinos take the lead?
The NC Dinos tied the game 2-2 in the eighth inning due to walks and a fielder’s choice. They then took a 3-2 lead after a bases-loaded walk to Seo Ho-cheol and a subsequent hit by Kim Hyung-jun.
How did lotte Giants respond to NC Dinos’ comeback?
Lotte responded immediately in the bottom of the eighth inning. Hwang Sung-bin and Ko Seung-min started with back-to-back hits, and Victor Reyes was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Na Seung-yeop then delivered a crucial two-run single, putting Lotte back in the lead with a score of 4-3.
What key pitching changes were made by Lotte?
Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung made several strategic pitching changes in the ninth inning to secure the win:
Song Jae-young: Started the inning as a left-handed pitcher.
Gu Seung-min: Followed Song Jae-young.
* Kim Sang-soo: Veteran pitcher brought in to close the game.
How did Kim Sang-soo secure the win?
Kim Sang-soo sealed the victory by inducing a groundout from Park min-woo, ending the game.
What did the win mean for the Lotte Giants?
The win was Lotte’s fourth straight. It propelled them to a 20-13 record, making them one of only two teams (along with the LG Twins) in the KBO League to reach 20 wins this season. They also closed the gap with the league-leading LG Twins to just half a game.
What did Manager Kim Tae-hyung say after the game?
Manager Kim Tae-hyung acknowledged the pressure on his relief pitchers, admitting he was “a little impatient.” He mentioned that he was trying to effectively manage the middle pitchers.
What was Na kyun-an’s perspective on the game?
Na kyun-an, the Lotte starter, commented on the team’s focus. He mentioned he was surprised by the pitching changes, considering the atmosphere of the game. He observed that the team had a winning mood.
Key Game Highlights Summarized:
Here’s a swift recap of the meaningful moments:
| Inning | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | lotte scores 2 runs | Lotte takes the lead (2-0) |
| 7th | NC Dinos begin comeback | Na kyun-an pulled as pitcher |
| 8th | NC Dinos tie and take the lead | NC Dinos lead (3-2) |
| 8th | lotte rallies | Lotte retakes lead (4-3) |
| 9th | Strategic pitching changes by Lotte | Kim Sang-soo closes the game |
