SSG Makes History with Four Consecutive Home Runs
SSG, a team known for its powerful offense in the latter part of the season, etched its name in Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League history by achieving a rare feat: four consecutive batters hitting home runs. This explosive display propelled them to a decisive victory against NC and brought them closer to securing a direct berth in the playoffs.
The game, held in Changwon, saw SSG overcome an initial deficit to triumph over NC with a final score of 7-3. The pivotal moment arrived in the top of the fourth inning when, trailing 0-2, SSG unleashed an unprecedented power surge. Guillermo Heredia ignited the rally with a solo home run, followed by Choi Jeong, Han Yu-seom, and Ryu Hyo-seung, each launching their own solo shots off NC's foreign starting pitcher, Logan. This remarkable sequence turned the tide of the game, giving SSG a commanding 4-2 lead.
Adding to the significance of this accomplishment, Choi Jeong and Han Yu-seom were also part of a similar record-setting moment in 2021 against Hanwha, when the team recorded four consecutive home runs. The consecutive home runs also marked the ninth time in KBO history that consecutive batters have hit home runs, tying the all-time record held by Park Seok-min and Choi Hyung-woo.
Choi Jeong's contribution didn't end there. In the top of the fifth inning, he delivered a crucial blow, smashing a two-run home run over the left-center field fence with two outs and a runner on first base against Logan. His overall performance was instrumental in SSG's victory, as he went 3-for-5 with two home runs, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
On the pitching front, SSG's starting pitcher, Drew Anderson, nicknamed "Dr. K," delivered a solid performance, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on two hits and two walks. He also recorded an impressive eight strikeouts. With 233 strikeouts this season, Anderson surpassed Ariel Miranda's 2021 total of 225 strikeouts for Doosan, positioning himself in second place for the most strikeouts in a single season. Cody Ponce of Hanwha currently leads the league with 236 strikeouts.
Hanwha Continues Playoff Push with Dominant Win
Meanwhile, in Gwangju, Hanwha, currently in second place, continued their pursuit of the regular season's top spot with a commanding 11-1 victory over KIA. Their foreign pitcher, Weiss, showcased his dominance on the mound, delivering his fourth consecutive quality start. He pitched six innings, allowing only one run on four hits while striking out an impressive 10 batters against the KIA lineup. This performance earned him his 16th win of the season, placing him second in the league for wins, just behind his teammate Ponce, who has 17.
Weiss's 10 strikeouts brought his season total to 195. With just five more strikeouts, Hanwha will boast a formidable duo of foreign pitchers, each surpassing 200 strikeouts and 15 wins this season.
Hanwha's offense also contributed significantly to the victory. No Si-hwan reached the 30-home-run mark for the season with a two-run homer in the top of the fifth inning. In the sixth inning, Ahn Chi-hong drove in three runs with a left-field three-run homer, extending the lead to 8-0 and effectively sealing the victory early in the game.
Other KBO League Action
In Daegu, Samsung emerged victorious with a 7-5 win over Lotte. Samsung's foreign hitter had a standout performance, recording two hits, including a go-ahead, game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. He finished the game with one home run and four RBIs in four at-bats, bringing his season totals to 47 home runs and 139 RBIs.
At Jamsil, Kiwoom, currently at the bottom of the standings, defeated Doosan, who are in ninth place, with a score of 4-1. Kiwoom's foreign ace, Raul Alcantara, delivered a stellar performance, pitching seven innings and allowing only one run on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
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