Choi Jeong-jeong and Seo Jin-yong go to hell and back in a matter of seconds
[MyDaily = By Kwak Kyung-hoon, Incheon]안전놀이터 SSG won 2-1 against LG in the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on Tuesday.
In the top of the ninth inning, Choi Jeong-jeong catches Austin’s hit and throws to first base.
Choi’s hit allowed SSG to snap a five-game losing streak and secure the final game of a three-game series against first-place LG.
The teams were tied 1-1 until the top of the eighth inning. In the bottom of the eighth, with the bases loaded and pinch-hitter Kim Kang-min batting, a wild pitch from LG closer Go Woo-seok allowed Kang Jin-sung to score from third base to take the lead.
In the top of the ninth, SSG sent closer Seo Jin-yong to the mound. He got the first batter, Hong Chang-ki, to fly out to left field and gave up a single to Shin Min-jae. With Kim Hyun-soo at bat, Shin Min-jae stole second base to put pressure on SSG.
Kim struck out, and with two on and two out, Shin advanced to third on a wild pitch by Seo Jin-yong. Austin, at the plate, took Seo’s pitch. Choi Jeong-jung, the third baseman, caught the hard-hit ball and threw to first base.
Choi (left) and Austin celebrate after Choi’s catch was called safe at first base.
Choi celebrates after being called out on the video replay.
SSG Seo Jin-yong looks over at Austin after securing the 2-1 win.
SSG’s Seo Jin-yong celebrates with his teammates after preserving a 2-1 lead and ending a five-game losing streak.
However, the first base umpire called a save, and Choi Jung and Seo Jin-yong looked disappointed. SSG then requested a video replay, which showed that Choi’s throw was narrowly faster than Austin’s foot.
The 0.01-second difference sealed the victory for SSG, and Seo Jinyong, who leads the team in saves, made 32 saves. He hasn’t recorded a single blown save in his career. The SSG players cheered and shared the joy of the dramatic victory.
SSG starter Elias pitched eight innings of one run (one earned), four hits (one home run), and one strikeout to improve to 6-5 on the season, while LG’s Plutko pitched six innings of one run (one earned), six hits (one home run), three walks, and seven strikeouts.
“I want to praise Choi Jeong-jeong’s defensive concentration at the end of the game,” said manager Kim Won-hyung after the win.