The Samsung Lions, led by head coach Park Jin-man, beat SSG Landers after a fierce pitching battle and escaped their second consecutive defeat. "New Closer" Lee Ho-sung's multi-inning effort shone.

Samsung beat SSG Landers 3-1 in Game 9 of the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 5th. It washed away the pain of losing 3-5 on the 3rd and 1-4 on the 4th and succeeded in turning the mood around.안전놀이터

Samsung was able to easily manage the game thanks to starting pitcher Lee Seung-hyun's five scoreless innings. Koo Ja-wook hit a timely RBI with the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the fifth inning when the score was tying 0-0, giving his team the first run.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Samsung threw a game-winner by replacing the pitcher with Kim Tae-hoon at second base with no outs. As Kim finished the inning without losing a point, he was able to maintain his one-run lead.

Samsung added one more point with Koo Ja-wook's RBI timely hit in the top of the seventh inning to run 2-0. However, SSG also narrowed the gap to 2-1 after Lee Ji-young's hit after one out in the bottom of the seventh inning and Kim Chan-hyung's timely RBI hit after Park Sung-han's walk hit.

Samsung's bench decided to deploy closing pitcher Lee Ho-seong early in the seventh inning with two outs and runners on first and second bases. Lee Ho-seong struck out Oh Tae-gon, who was showing good batting performance with one hit and one walk, and cut SSG's offensive flow.

Lee Ho-seong showed off his strong pitching capability in the bottom of the eighth inning as well. He struck out leadoff batters Guillermo Herredia and Choi Jeong in succession. SSG's flagship hitters were sent back to the dugout one after another to gain momentum. Even Ko Myung-joon grounded out to the second baseman, allowing three outs and a walkout inning.

Manager Park Jin-man also left the last three out counts to Lee Ho-sung in the bottom of the ninth inning when Samsung led 3-1. Lee Ho-sung's intention was asked through the pitching coach, and Lee Ho-sung also showed his will to take the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Lee treated leadoff hitter Han Yu-sum to center field with a fly ball, continuing his five-hitter streak. Lee gave up a hit to right-handed Lee Ji-young after one out, but he remained firm. Park Sung-han and Kim Chan-hyung were blocked by strikeouts in succession, ending the game.

It is a result theory, but Lee Ho-seong's strategy to select the second ⅓ was accurate. He silenced the SSG batters by allowing one hit and five strikeouts, and secured five saves for the season. It was also the most save in innings for Samsung in the 2025 season.

Lee Ho-sung is a promising right-handed fireballer who graduated from Incheon High School in 2023 and joined the rookie draft in the first round and eighth overall. This year, in his third year, his position has been upgraded from a bullpen chasing group to a must-win group and even a finishing team.

"The reason why Lee Ho-sung was so fast at the end was because we had to display strong pitching because it was our turn for strong hitters," coach Park Jin-man said after the game. "Since we didn't have many pitches, we took responsibility until the ninth inning. He pitched really well." 

Samsung escaped its second consecutive defeat by beating SSG on the day, and maintained its sole fifth position by 0.5 game ahead of sixth-ranked KT Wiz (31 wins, 28 losses and 3 draws) with 32 wins, 28 losses and 1 draw in the 2025 season. It also eliminated a gap with fourth-ranked SSG (31 wins, 27 losses and 2 draws). The third-ranked Lotte Giants (32 wins, 27 losses and 3 draws), which have lost two consecutive games, will also be able to secure a leap forward to third place in three consecutive home games against the NC Dinos this weekend.