'Two RBI Hits Against Kwang-Hyun Kim' Lotte's Jung-Hoon “For Me to Survive”
“I was worried about the lack of impact, but coach Kim Tae-hyung said, 'Just do it.'”
Jung Hoon (36, Lotte Giants) came up to bat with a poor batting average of 0.197 (13 hits in 67 at-bats) against Kim Kwang-hyun (35, SSG Landers).
However, in the away game held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 10th, Jung Hoon played an active role as a 'Kim Kwang-hyun sniper.'
Jung Hoon, who started as the 7th batter and 3rd baseman on this day, had 2 hits and 2 RBIs in 3 at-bats against SSG's left-handed ace Kim Kwang-hyun.
The batting average against Kim Kwang-hyun rose to 0.214 (15 hits in 70 at-bats). 안전놀이터
Jung Hoon's at-bat was the deciding factor in the game on the 10th.
In the bottom of the second inning, with the score tied 0-0, with two outs and a runner on second, Jeong Hoon hit a left-field RBI single off of Kim Kwang-hyun's 139 km/h slider.
It was the game-winning hit of the game.
In the fourth inning, with no outs and runners on first and third, Jeong Hoon hit a 146 km/h single off of Kim Kwang-hyun for a valuable additional run.
Lotte broke its three-game losing streak by defeating SSG 6-1 thanks to Jung Hoon's performance of 2 hits and 2 RBIs in 3 at-bats.
After the game, Jung Hoon said, “My batting feel has been so bad lately that I didn't even have the presence of mind to prepare for Kwang-Hyun Kim,” and “I remembered that SSG pitchers didn't throw me slow pitches like curveballs this year, so I waited for fastballs or sliders or other fast breaking balls.
That strategy worked.”
Jung Hoon had been in a deep slump with a batting average of 0.148 (4 hits in 27 at-bats) in the last 10 games until the day before.
He confessed, “I tried everything I could, like starving and sleeping a little, but it didn't work.”
His worries were also evident on his face.
Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung, who saw Jung Hoon's gloomy expression before the game on the 10th, said in his characteristically sarcastic manner “Just do it.
Why are you worrying so much?” Jung Hoon said “I felt relieved after hearing that short word from the manager” and smiled “I thought 'Okay, I shouldn't worry, but I'll just relax and go up to the plate.'
I got good results today.”
Jung Hoon, who was active with a batting average of 0.294 in March and April of this year, fell into a slump with a batting average of 0.172 in May, and was placed on the injured list on May 17 due to left hip tendonitis.
He returned to the first team on June 7, but has yet to regain his batting touch.
As of the 10th, Jung Hoon's season stats are a batting average of 0.254 (46 hits in 181 at-bats), 7 home runs, and 28 RBIs.
Jung Hoon said, “My batting average has hit rock bottom.
I hope today will be the turning point for me.”
Jung Hoon has been constantly lowering himself and has recently suffered from a batting slump, but he is a 'supporting actor' that Lotte absolutely needs.
Jung Hoon, who used to play center field and first base, has recently been playing third base more often, filling in for Son Ho-young, who is out due to injury.
Jung Hoon joked, “I hope the ball doesn't come to third base,” but added, “I'm determined to handle it when it comes to me, so I stand at third base.”
He said, “It's best for a player to settle into one position, but playing multiple positions is also a way to survive in the pros,” and added, “The manager is trying to use me in some way and putting me in multiple positions, so I'm playing in the game with a grateful heart.”
Even on the day he became the hero of the game-winning hit, Jung Hoon often said, “To survive.”
Jung Hoon hit two RBI hits against Kim Kwang-hyun, 'visually' showing why he, who debuted as a developmental player in 2006, has survived until now.