It was a pitching performance that begged for praise.
The KT Wiz picked up a clean 3-0 victory over the Kiwoom Heroes in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on April 18. It was their first back-to-back wins of the season and first complete game shutout.
The starting lineup for the game was Cheon Sung-ho (second base), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Mel Rojas Jr. (left field), Moon Sang-chul (first base), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Kim Min-hyuk (center field), Hwang Jae-gyun (third base), Cho Yong-ho (right field), and Kim Sang-soo (shortstop). Wes Benjamin is the starting pitcher.
Benjamin was the difference in the win. He pitched a no-hitter until the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs. Lee Yong-kyu singled up the middle to break up the no-hitter. Benjamin's final line was eight innings, one hit, two walks, six strikeouts, no runs, and 104 pitches.
He set a new personal record for most innings pitched in a single game. The last time Benjamin, who has been with KT for three years, went eight innings was on September 12 last year against SSG Landers. He pitched eight innings of one-hit ball with eight strikeouts and no walks. This time, he also went eight innings to earn his second win of the season.
Following Benjamin, closer Park Young-hyun earned the save with one scoreless inning of relief. It was her second save of the season.
The batters completed their lineup in the top of the sixth inning. It was KT's 10th shutout of the year and second of the season. Hwang Jae-gyun was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Lee Soo-ho was 1-for-4 with a double and one RBI, and Rojas was 1-for-5 with two RBIs.
After the game, KT head coach Lee Kang-cheol said, "Benjamin pitched his best game of the 메이저토토사이트 season. He won the starting pitching battle and set the stage for the team's victory." He also applauded Benjamin's eight innings of work, which relieved the pressure on the pitchers. "Park Young-hyun also did a great job closing the game," Lee added.
"In the batting order, Hwang Jae-gyun came through with big hits at key times to give us the lead. It's encouraging to see Jae-gyun Hwang bat well. We look forward to seeing him continue his good form."
"I would like to thank the fans for their support," Lee said.
With the score tied at 0-0 in the top of the second, KT had a chance when Moon Sang-chul led off with a single up the middle. Jang Jang-woo singled and Kim Min-hyuk grounded out to second to load the bases. Hwang Jae-gyun followed with a single to right off starter Enmanuel De Jesus. It gave the team a 1-0 lead. Choi Sung-ho followed with an RBI single to left-center. It was 2-0.
With the score still 2-0 in the top of the fifth, KT took another step forward. Rojas led off with a double to left. After Moon Sang-cheol walked, Jang Jang-woo drew a straight-up walk. Kim Min-hyuk grounded out to second base to put runners on first and third. Once again, Hwang Jae-gyun came through. He made it 3-0 with a single to right.
KT held Kiwoom to just one hit thanks to the pitching of Benjamin and Park Young-hyun. Lee Yong-kyu singled to center field with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was a complete game shutout of Kiwoom.