What is the reason for the change in Lotte’s starting lineup?
On the 11th, Lotte played a close game with Doosan at Sajik Stadium in Busan, and won 7-6 thanks to Noh Jin-hyeok’s finishing hit in the bottom of the 10th inning.
The duration of the game안전놀이터zis 4 hours and 1 minute. Lotte players had to move through the squad bus without a break. This is because they have to play three weekend matches against KT at KT Wiz Park in Suwon from the 12th.
It was 3:30 in the morning when the Lotte players arrived in Suwon. Lotte coach Larry Sutton changed the lineup in consideration of the condition of the players.
Lotte’s 1st through 9th batting order that day is Ahn Kwon-soo (center fielder) – Koh Seung-min (1st baseman) – Jack Rex (designated hitter) – Ahn Chi-hong (2nd baseman) – Jeon Jun-woo (left fielder) – Han Dong-hee (3rd baseman) – Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder) )-Seo Dong-wook (catcher)-Park Seung-wook (shortstop). The ‘FA duo’ such as Noh Jin-hyuk and Yoo Kang-nam is missing. Park Seung-wook replaces Noh Jin-hyuk as shortstop, and Seo Dong-wook replaces Yoo Kang-nam as catcher.
“Yesterday (11th), we played overtime and the players arrived late in Suwon as they traveled by bus,” Sutton said, explaining why he appointed Seo Dong-wook as the starter that day, saying, “I heard that Seo Dong-wook did very well at Futures.” Seo Dong-wook appeared in 12 games in the Futures League and recorded a batting average of .410, 4 home runs and 17 RBIs, and was named to the first team entry on the 11th. Seo Dong-wook, who joined Lotte as a foster player this year, switched to a full-time player and will make his first-team debut in this game.
Foreign hitter Rex’s appearance as a designated hitter was also done at the management level. Director Sutton said, “Rex had a little discomfort in his knee, so he switched positions with Jeon Jun-woo.” Rex has been playing as the designated hitter from time to time to take care of his knee.