Doosan’s Heo Gyeong-min Ends the 9th Inning Pinch Hit Despite Injury, “I Feel Like Endorphins are Surging”
Excluded from selection due to hand bruise… Thrilling timely hit against Seo Jin-yong in the match
Doosan Bears captain Heo Gyeong-min (33) is strong against SSG Landers closing pitcher Seo Jin-yong.
Heo Gyeong-min, who has exceptional concentration and hitting skills,
often effectively targeted Seo Jin-yong’s main weapon, the forkball.
Until the home game against SSG held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 14th,
Heo Gyeong-min faced Seo Jin-yong 17 times in his personal career, 온라인카지노
posting 5 hits in 14 at-bats, 2 walks, a batting average of 0.357, and an on-base percentage of 0.438.
Heo Gyeong-min began to warm up ahead of the final attack in the bottom of the 9th inning when he was down 0-2 in the SSG game held on this day.
SSG brought in closer Seo Jin-yong, and Heo Gyeong-min,
who was missing from the starting lineup, was expected to play as a pinch hitter.
However, Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop did not call Heo Gyeong-min by name.
Lee Yoo-chan was put in place of Kim Jae-hwan at first and second base with no outs thanks to leadoff hitter Yang Seok-hwan’s left-field hit and Yang Eui-ji’s walk on base.
Lee Yu-chan attempted a sacrifice bunt, but it ended in vain as the runner on third base was caught.
Then, Seo Jin-yong’s wild pitch and Kang Seung-ho’s infield grounder pushed the score to 1-2,
followed by an opportunity with one out and a runner on third base.
Heo Gyeong-min was looking forward to playing as a pinch hitter again.
However, manager Lee Seung-yeop called Kim In-tae during Park Joon-young’s at-bat.
Kim In-tae got on base after getting a walk.
The follow-up batter, Park Gye-beom, went to bat and intentionally got on base with 4 pitches.
Doosan took the opportunity to come back with bases loaded and 2 outs.
And finally, Director Lee Seung-yeop called Heo Gyeong-min.
Heo Gyeong-min said, “I was looking forward to playing as a pinch hitter,
but it was unfortunate that the opportunity did not come.”
Heo said, “The manager called me at an important moment,
the crowd cheered when I went to bat, so I felt my endorphins soaring.”
In fact, there was a reason why Director Lee Seung-yeop called Heo Gyeong-min late.
Heo Gyeong-min’s physical condition was not normal.
He recently injured his right hand.
Although his bruises weren’t severe, he felt pain every time he hit.
It was for the same reason that he was excluded from the starting lineup that day.
To Heo Gyeong-min, pain was not important.
He said, “He didn’t feel anything when he came up to bat,” and “all he could think about was that he shouldn’t miss the opportunity for a come-from-behind victory created by his teammates.”
Was it because ‘natural enemy’ Heo Gyeong-min went to bat?
Seo Jin-yong threw a wild pitch.
The ball bounced on the ground and flowed backwards, and third base runner Kim In-tae hit the home run, tying the score at 2-2.
Heo Gyeong-min said, “I felt at ease,” and “I thought I just had to hit one hit.”
Heo Gyeong-min aimed for Seo Jin-yong’s forkball.
He said, “I was a good pitcher with a fork ball, so I just waited for that ball.”
As expected, Seo Jin-yong threw a forkball with 1 ball and 1 strike.
The ball flew high towards Heo Gyeong-min’s body.
Heo Gyeong-min pulled back as if he had been waiting.
The ball flew to left center.
It was a timely hit to end a thrilling comeback to end the game.
He roared and shared the joy of the thrilling walk-off victory with his teammates.
Heo Gyeong-min, whom we met after the game, said, “The hand injury is okay,” and “I’m just happy to have caught an important game in the middle of a fierce battle for the top five.”
He continued, “I was heartbroken because I got injured in the middle of the battle for rankings,” and added, “I’m glad that I feel like I’ve repaid my debt to some extent today.”
With this victory, 6th place Doosan Bears chased down 4th place KIA Tigers and 5th place SSG by one game.