Kiwoom Heroes secured a 2-0 victory over the Lotte Giants at Gocheok Sky Dome, highlighted by reliever Ba Dong-Hyun’s dominant three scoreless innings and starter An Woo-jin’s record-breaking 160 km/h fastball.
An Woo-Jin’s Impressive Return
An Woo-jin made a strong comeback after 9 months sidelined by injury and surgery. The right-hander, who last pitched on August 31, 2023, against SSG Landers, surpassed his initial velocity cap of 157 km/h. He gradually ramped up speed, topping out at 160 km/h during a scoreless first inning.
Over 24 pitches, An Woo-jin allowed one hit, one walk, and one strikeout. He threw 15 fastballs and chained three sliders effectively. Despite a bases-loaded threat in the second inning after An Chi-hong’s deep line drive double to left, An Woo-jin escaped unscathed. Earlier, he neutralized leadoff hitter Lee Ju-hyung, preventing a potential home run off Park Se-woong’s fastball.
Ba Dong-Hyun Emerges as League Wins Leader
Ba Dong-Hyun, acquired by Kiwoom through the second draft after Hanwha released him, delivered a quality relief outing. The righty pitched three scoreless innings from the sixth through the eighth, striking out three batters to earn his league-leading third win.
In the sixth, Reyes fouled an antler but No Jin-hyeok struck out swinging, and Handong-hwi chased a changeup. Ba Dong-Hyun reached a top speed of 148 km/h over 78 pitches, showing no signs of rust in his return after over two years away.
Key Moments and Pitching Dominance
Kiwoom added a run in the third inning to build a 2-0 lead. Relievers held firm, shutting down Lotte’s four consecutive hits threat in the ninth when No Jin-hyeok’s two-run opportunity fizzled with no further baserunners.
The Giants struggled against Kiwoom’s staff, managing timely hits but failing to score. Choi Joo-hwan flew out to center with runners on, sealing the shutout.
