Oh Jae-il, the KT Wiz fixer in the KBO, delivered the decisive blow to save the Wizards from a four-game losing streak. Oh Jae-il started at first base in the No. 4 spot against the Samsung Lions at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on April 15.
Jae-il hit a sacrifice fly to center field in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1 and hit a towering two-run arch off Oh Seung-hwan in the ninth inning with the score tied at 2-2. KT beat Samsung 5-3 to end a four-game losing streak dating back to Oct. 10 against Lotte in Suwon.
Manager Lee Kang-cheol applauded Oh for his game-winning home run, calling it “the one shot that won the game.”
Speaking to the media after the game, Oh said, “The team’s mood could have sunk during the losing streak, but I’m glad we were able to get a reverse win to end the losing streak. I think we’ll be in a good mood again from tomorrow.”
“I wasn’t breathing or balanced at the plate today, but the pitching change in the ninth inning (from Choi Ji-kwang to Oh Seung-hwan) gave me some time. Jae-il took a breath and decided that if it was in the zone, I was going to hit it. The first pitch went in and it turned into a home run,” he added.
Friendship is one thing, winning is another.
Oh Jae-il said, “Seung-hwan is the older brother I look up to the most, but that doesn’t mean I can’t hit. I focused on my at-bat without thinking about the opposing pitcher,” he said.
After going 0-for-3 on the 13th and then 1-for-4 on the 14th, Oh breathed a sigh of relief, saying, “My batting wasn’t that bad, 메이저사이트 but when I was feeling the mental pressure of not getting results, a good home run came along.”
“It means I’m doing well consistently, so I’m proud,” said Oh, who added another home run to become the 16th player in history to reach double-digit home runs in 10 consecutive years.
“There is a lot of competition in the middle of the pack, but everyone is focused on doing their best in their roles and not stressing about the rankings,” he said.
His current form is good. “I’m in good shape because the manager, coaching staff, and training staff are very good at managing me. They always leave it up to the players and let them do it autonomously, so they don’t run out of energy. I think we will do better in the future,” he said.
“The team atmosphere is very good. We prepare and play in a relaxed atmosphere. Even the younger players can play to their heart’s content, so there is no rigidity when playing. The coach does a great job of creating a good atmosphere for each player to showcase their abilities,” he said.