A stolen base with 6 runs on the board… Jeon Jun-woo’s boldness, not like a veteran
Lotte lost 5-13 at home to the KIA Tigers in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League on Wednesday afternoon at Sajik Stadium in Busan. The loss ended a two-game winning streak and left Lotte in seventh place with 46 points and 51 games. The gap to sixth-place KIA (45-2, 45-2) widened to 3.5 games.
Lotte sent substitute starter Card Jung-seong-jong to the mound on the day. Jeong was unable to keep up with the KIA bats and left the mound after giving up six runs in 1.1 innings. This left Lotte trailing 1-7 heading into the top of the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, LOTTE rallied with one out as Jeon Jun-woo doubled to the right side of the infield. Jung Hoon then drew a walk to put runners on first and second.
However, Jun-woo Jeon stole third base on the next pitch from Nico Goodrum. The initial call was safe, but it was overturned on video review. Jun-woo Jeon remained on third base for a while before accepting the call and heading to the dugout.
In fact, Jun-woo Jeon’s steal of third base was reckless. With a six-run deficit, it would have been a better option to stack the bases rather than advance the runners, which would have allowed him to chase the big inning. With two runners already on base, stealing third base with the possibility of an out to steal a base was a poor read of the game. It was an uncharacteristic play for a veteran.
Lotte was unable to score in the bottom of the fourth inning. They scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to make it a three-run game, but it wasn’t 사설토토 enough. If Jeon Jun-woo’s stolen base attempt in the fourth inning hadn’t resulted in a run, the fifth inning rally could have turned into a comeback win. However, Lotte was unable to capitalize on the late rally and gave up a big inning in the top of the eighth, resulting in a 5-13 loss.
Lotte has a long way to go to qualify for the fifth round, and a stolen base attempt by veteran Jeon Jun-woo led to a disappointing loss. Lotte is one step away from fall baseball.