Jeong Haeyoung Replaced by Jeon Sanghyun, But Cruel Result... Even Tired Jeon Sanghyun Could Not Close KIA's Back Door

[Financial News]  The KIA Tigers once again bowed their heads in the Jamsil away game. On the 17th, they suffered a sweep by losing 2-4 in the last game of the weekend's three-game series against the Doosan Bears. It was more than just a simple three-game losing streak. On the first day of the 'closer replacement' drastic measure, even the so-perfect Jeon Sanghyun recorded a blown save.
In fact, there was some strain. Jeon Sanghyun appeared in as many as 4 of the last 5 games from the 13th to the 14th, and from the 16th to the 17th. And against the tired Jeon Sanghyun, Doosan's counterattack in the 8th inning was too cruel. When starter James Naile did his part with 7 innings and 1 run and came down, manager Lee Beom-ho called Jeon Sanghyun to the mound. He was the most reliable card in the bullpen this season and was designated as the 'new guardian deity' due to Jeong Haeyoung's departure.
However, with 1 out and 1 on base, the double allowed to the first batter Yang Eui-ji down the left field line was the start of the fire. With 1 out and runners on second and third, they intentionally walked to load the bases and faced Kim In-tae, the hero of the previous day's walk-off. He insisted on the forkball, but the result was a walk that pushed in a run. It was a tie.
Jeon Sanghyun, who took a brief breath, seemed to find a clue to a reversal by striking out the next batter. However, in the ensuing pick-off play at second base, the out call was overturned to safe after video review, breaking the flow. Eventually, they gave up a 2-run single to Jo Su-haeng, and the game tilted completely. In addition, catcher Kim Tae-gun's throwing error led to additional runs, and KIA collapsed.
Before the game, manager Lee Beom-ho decided on a sudden demotion to the second team, saying, "Jeong Haeyoung's body is fine, but he lacks passion and responsibility." He also presented a new plan, saying, "If it's a strong batting order in the 8th, we'll use Jeon Sanghyun, and in the 9th, we'll go with a collective closer." The trust in the 'Jeon Sanghyun card' was absolute.



The problem was that the trust did not last even a single day. Jeon Sanghyun was a perfect bullpen resource with an ERA of 2.08 in June, 2.08 in July, and a scoreless streak in August. Since it was the last card KIA could put forward, the blown save on this day left more than just a defeat.
KIA, which had raised its momentum by sweeping a three-game series against Samsung during the week, faced the worst scenario of all comeback losses in the weekend Jamsil three-game series. Especially on the first day of the closer replacement, the fact that even the so-trusted Jeon Sanghyun collapsed could only leave a deep scar on the entire team.


Before the game, manager Lee Beom-ho said, "Whether Jeong Haeyoung returns in 10 days depends on his mindset," but the new closer card bowed its head in the first test, leaving KIA with an even bigger task. Above all, it was a cruel result that more acutely imprinted the reality of the 'absence of a closer.'
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sangil Reporter