A dramatic ending. A packed Sajik stadium erupted in cheers for Noh Jin-hyuk, 34, the “stimulating man,” who responded with his own cheerleader dance.
In the bottom of the ninth inning of a 5-5 tie against the KIA Tigers at Sajik Stadium in Busan on Wednesday, Noh became the hero of the day with a game-winning hit that cleared the top of the right field fence.
It would have been a game-winner if the launch angle had been slightly higher. It would have been the second straight day that Lee Hak-joo hit a grand slam at shortstop. Noh Jin-hyuk, who was interviewed as a hero after the game, also laughed, saying, “It would have been a grand slam home run, but it would have been four RBIs if I hadn’t resigned.”
After conceding the first three runs of the game, it took four hours and 14 minutes to turn things around. Lotte responded with a four-run big inning in the bottom of the sixth, led by RBI singles from Yoo Kang-nam and Jung Hoon.
Kia was also persistent. They scored one run each against Lotte relievers Koo Seung-min and Kim Sang-soo. In the bottom of the ninth, with the bases loaded and one out, Noh Jin-hyuk hit a grand slam off Jang Hyun-sik to end the longest game of the day.
Noh finished the day 1-for-4 with one run, one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts. While that one hit was the game-winner, every at-bat was a struggle.
His first at-bat in the second inning was a grounder to first base. In the fourth inning, he got on base with runners on first and second, but was stranded.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the biggest game 먹튀검증 of the day, Noh had a chance. With runners on first and second, Noh stepped up to the plate. However, Noh struck out. The next batter, Ko Seung-min, walked and Yoo Kang-nam and Jung Hoon hit back-to-back singles.
In the seventh inning, another chance came. Ahn Chi-hong led off with a single, and Noh Jinhyeok stepped to the plate with two outs. He struck out again.
Still, he’d get through. “Actually, I was hoping that (Yoon) would finish, but she came to me. I think the senior did what the younger one couldn’t do. It was good to hit aggressively from the first pitch. It was so good to finish the four-hour game quickly,” he laughed.
“I felt bad that I didn’t play well today, but the guys fought hard and didn’t give up. The pitchers did a great job. That’s why I was able to smile at the end. Hak-joo hasn’t played much lately, so it felt good to overcome that and hit a grand slam (yesterday).”
Commenting on the team’s continued rise, Noh Jin-hyuk said, “All the players are playing as a team. It’s also encouraging that we’re on a roll without losing three in a row.” “Teams that are really good at scoring one run are the real powerhouses. Lotte also has a team that is capable of scoring one point. So it’s good,” he smiled.
“I’m a little greedy for RBIs, but I’m stressed because my RBIs have dropped since May. If I hadn’t resigned today, I would have had four RBIs! It’s a shame, honestly.”
