The Lotte Giants won 5-2 against the home Kiwoom Heroes on the 28th, and won 7 consecutive wins from the KIA Tigers on the 20th. It is the first time in 3956 days since Lotte won 7 consecutive victories from June 21 to 28, 2012. About 10 years and 10 months. Lotte, who recorded 13 wins (8 losses) this season, kept third in the league following SSG Landers and LG Twins.
Lotte was also hot at this time last year. In 24 matches played in March and April, they recorded 14 wins, 1 draw and 9 losses, and rose to second place. He ranked second in team ERA (3.00) and first in team batting average (0.265). Fifth-year Han Dong-hee showed off his potential by hitting 7 homers, and showed a look that suited the nickname of ‘the second Lee Dae-ho’, and Lee Dae-ho, who started his retirement season, also recorded a batting average of 3.5. Foreign pitcher Charlie Barnes and domestic ace Park Se-woong were also solid. Lee In-bok, who was a promising player, won three games and emerged as a surprise star.
There is no Lee Dae-ho anymore. However, Lotte’s performance has become more solid. A new face, Ahn Kwon-soo, Hwang Seong-bin, who showed his ‘gutsman’ instinct last season, Ko Seung-min, who was able to afford at bat, Park Seung-wook, a transfer student, and Kim Min-seok, a rookie beast, all showed their presence. On the mound, foreign pitchers (Dan Strayley and Barnes) and Park Se-woong were all struggling, and Na Kyun-an emerged as the new ace with 4 wins alone. A player who joined as a catcher and switched to a pitcher, he is evolving into an untouchable with his unique heavy fastball and improved game management skills. There are many players who have shown unexpected performances to such an extent that the addition effect of free agent (free agent) transfer students such as new starting catcher Yoo Kang-nam and starting shortstop Noh Jin-hyeok did not go unnoticed.
Lotte did well only in the past demonstration games and the beginning of the opening, and then repeated the pattern of falling to the bottom. That’s why he got the nickname Bomde (Lotte who is only good at spring) mixed with sarcasm. Last season, it kept the top ranks, but was pushed to the bottom ranks soon after. Lee Dae-ho’s wish to win the championship never came true.
This season, the airflow is a little different. The hitters stand out for their contact and mobility, and the bullpen line, which has become thick enough to realize a ‘swarm of bullpen’, also stands out. Director Larry Sutton’s movements are also more active than before.
Lotte suffered an ankle ligament injury to Hwang Seung-bin in the match against Kiwoom on the 28th. Rehabilitation treatment and return are expected to take more than four weeks. There are also bad things. 크크크벳
However, the good energy gained by breaking the record (7 wins in a row) from the revival period (2008-2012) is expected to create synergy with power. Lotte’s most wins since its founding was 11 consecutive wins in September 2008, led by manager Jerry Royster. Lotte welcomes the post-Lee Dae-ho era. The front desk and the field are showing a strong will to erase the name of the superstar and show a new baseball.