The NC Dinos solidify their position in fifth place

The NC Dinos, who are busy fighting for the top five, have won two in a row to solidify their position in fifth place.

NC won 4-2 at home against the Kiwoom Heroes at NC Park in Changwon on Thursday. Fifth-ranked NC has won two straight games to improve its record to 46 wins, 1 loss and 43 draws. The sixth-place KIA Tigers defeated the Hanwha Eagles 9-3, but the two teams remained 1.5 games apart.

Starting pitcher Jung Koo-beom got the start once again, following his last start against the KT Wiz on March 29. After giving up six runs in 4 1/3 innings against KT, he pitched 4 1/3 innings of three-hit ball with five strikeouts and one walk.

After Jung failed to complete the fifth inning, Kim Si-hoon pitched 1⅔ innings of scoreless relief with two strikeouts, while Kim Young-gyu, Ryu Jin-wook, and Lee Yong-chan each pitched one inning of relief. Lee earned his 15th save of the season.

At the plate, Park Gun-woo had a three-hit performance. With runners on second and third in the third inning, Park hit a two-run single to center field to drive in the game-winning run.

Martin and Kwon Hee-dong also came through in the clutch to help the team win the game.

After the game, NC head coach Kang Myung-hwa said, “From Jeong Goo-beom on the mound to Lee Yong-chan in the closing innings, our catcher Park Se-hyuk and I worked well together to lay the foundation for the win. In the batting lineup, Park Gun-woo and Kwon Hee-dong were able to win the game. I would like to praise the entire team for doing their best in the hot weather.”

He also thanked the fans for coming to the ballpark in the sweltering heat. “I also want to thank the fans who came to the ballpark and gave us great cheers and support,” Kang said, adding, “We will do our best to prepare well for tomorrow’s game.”

NC announced Shin Min-hyuk as the starting pitcher for Game 5. Jang Jae-young will start for Kiwoom. 토토