KT Wiz dropped a 0-4 decision to Melbourne in a spring training contest on Sunday, extending their struggles against the opponent to 1 win and 2 losses over three recent games.
Recent Series Struggles
KT Wiz opened the series with an 8-7 victory on the 16th but fell 6-12 on the 20th before this latest shutout. The team deployed a lineup featuring center fielder Yujun-gyu, right fielder Egam-min, starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-in, first baseman Moon Sang-chul, designated hitter Kim Min-hyuk, catcher Lee Jung-hoon, left fielder Bae Jeong-dae, shortstop Han Seong-taek, and third baseman Kwon Dong-jin.
Key Moments from the Game
Melbourne’s Sauer dominated as the standout starter. In the first inning, KT issued a leadoff walk to Moonjeo, followed by a single. Sauer then crushed a two-run homer, putting his team ahead early. He struck out the side in the fourth after a runner reached base.
KT mounted threats in the second with Moon Sang-chul drawing a walk and Lee Jung-hoon advancing, but Bae Jeong-dae’s foul pop and Han Seong-taek’s liner ended the inning without scoring.
Melbourne added insurance in the fourth with two more runs. Sugimoto delivered a perfect inning in relief, while their hitters capitalized on chances. In the fifth, center fielder Silchak emerged from a Delruka tag-up play safely at home.
KT failed to score despite opportunities, including bases loaded in the seventh where Jo Dae-hyeon and Kwon Dong-jin’s connected hits forced out a runner at third. In the ninth, Lee Jung-hoon and Bae Jeong-dae grabbed singles, but Jo Dae-hyeon and Kwon Dong-jin flied out to close the game.
Hitting Breakdown
Sauer paced Melbourne with a home run for two RBIs and three strikeouts over 91 pitches on balls and 113 feet outfield distance. Sugimoto added a perfect inning. KT’s bats produced two innings with two-out hits but stranded runners, including 3 LOB in the second and a perfect Sugimoto frame.
In five at-bats with runners in scoring position, KT hitters like Lee Jung-hoon (4 AB, 2 hits including a multi-hit) struggled. Moon Sang-chul, Bae Jeong-dae, and Kwon Dong-jin combined for a single hit.
Broader Spring Context
This loss highlights KT Wiz’s challenges in spring training against Harmony and Melbourne alike, where they hold a 2-1 edge overall but trail 1-2 specifically to Melbourne. The defeat underscores areas for improvement as KBO squads gear up for the season.
