A series of failed bunts in the bottom of the 9th inning and the bottom of the 10th overtime “If you can’t defend, bunt, and execute well, you can’t win.”
Coach Lee Soong-yong watching the game
Professional baseball SSG Landers had a tough fight in the home game against KIA Tigers held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 11th.
SSG seemed to have won a walk-off victory in the bottom of the 9th inning with the score tied 6-6, with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd base, Ji-Young Lee hit a left-field hit, and Guillermo Heredia, the runner on second base, stole home with a head-first slide.
However, the referee erroneously ruled that Heredia’s hand had not touched the home plate and ruled the game out, and SSG, having used up all of its opportunities for video review, had to go into overtime.
After many twists and turns, SSG defeated KIA 7-6 thanks to Park Ji-hwan’s timely hit in the 10th overtime.
SSG coach Lee Soong-yong, who met ahead of the KIA game held at the same venue on the 12th, did not argue with the referee’s decision.
Rather, he defended the referee by saying, “I didn’t know (whether it was safe or out),” and “Honestly, it wasn’t an easy decision.”
However, he said, “I think we should carefully consider video interpretation attempts in the future.”
Coach Lee Soong-yong was more disappointed with the carefree play of his team’s players than with the referee’s decision.
Coach Lee said, “Actually, I was very angry yesterday,” and “After the crowd left the stadium, I ordered all players, including veterans and foreign players, to practice bunts.”
He continued, “Head coach (Cho Won-woo) did not stop us from training, but he instructed us to send a clear message.”
Coach Lee Soong-yong said, “If we want to go to the next level, we have to do well in defense, basic bunts, and strategy. If we don’t do this, we can’t win,” and added, “I urged the coaches to continue to instill this message.”
SSG was disappointed with bunt mistakes in every match the day before.
Choi Gyeong-mo tried to bunt at first base with no outs in the bottom of the 9th inning with the score at 6-6, but was out due to a double play by the pitcher. In the bottom of the 10th inning, with no outs on second base, Choi Min-chang’s bunt hit a fly ball to the third baseman, increasing the number of outs. 고스톱