Will it be the start of a batting recovery?
Samsung’s Oh Jae-il got his first hit in 71 days. Oh Jae-il batted first base in the seventh inning of the home game against KIA at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 20th.
Before this game, Oh had been in a slump, batting just 1-for-18 with 45 hits in 249 at-bats, seven home runs, 36 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
Manager Park Jin-man said before the game, “Today is also a self-discipline day, and I’m working hard on the field. I’m trying to work hard to overcome the difficulties, but I’m probably the most frustrated.”
After retiring the first batter of the second inning on an infield single, Oh Jae-il got his chance in his second at-bat of the fifth inning with a one-run lead.
Leading off, Oh pulled a 140-kilometer fastball from KIA starter Hwang Dong-ha into the right-field stands. It was his first home run in 71 days since June 10 against Daegu Lotte.
SBS Sports commentator Kim Tae-hyung, Oh Jae-il’s mentor at Doosan, said, “If Oh Jae-il regains his hitting touch with this home run, the Samsung batting lineup will be even more frightening. As the center fielder and captain, he must have felt very sorry for the team.”
Manager Park Jin-man and head coach Lee Byung-kyu welcomed Oh’s home run with a wide smile, and his teammates, including captain Koo Ja-rook, also congratulated him.
With one out in the sixth inning, Oh Jae-il hit a single to center field against KIA’s Jeon Sang-hyun. Commentator Kim Tae-hyung said, “The ball was fast, so he couldn’t catch it even though it went right by (the second baseman).” Oh Jae-il came home on Kim Hyun-jun’s triple to right-center field.
Samsung beat KIA 6-4 to finish the three-game weekend series with a 2-1 record. Oh’s 2-for-4 performance with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored was another highlight of the game.
Coach Park Jin-man said, “We were delayed in the middle of the game due to the rain, but all of the players remained focused and showed a good performance until the end. We were also encouraged by the support of the fans who stayed until the end of the game. We will prepare well for next week and show a good performance.” 먹튀검증