Twins manager hoping to lock down KBO pennant before finale
LG Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb watches his team in action against the Hanwha Eagles during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon, Monday. Yonhap
After his LG Twins opened September holding a 5 1/2-game lead over the Hanwha Eagles for first place in Korean baseball, manager Youm Kyoung-youb felt his club would have clinched the top spot by now, with two games left on the season.
Instead, following a loss to the Eagles on Monday, the Twins still have not secured the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) pennant. Now leading the Eagles by 2 1/2 games, the Twins can lock down the top seed either with a win over the Doosan Bears on Tuesday or with a loss by the Eagles against the Lotte Giants.
If the Twins don't get their way Tuesday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, then they will take another shot Wednesday in a home game against the NC Dinos.
"We tried so hard not to get to this point, but here we are," Youm said with a wry grin in his pregame media availability. "Now, our biggest goal is not to have this pushed to tomorrow's game."
As good as the Twins have been in many aspects this season, their bullpen has had an adventurous year. For September, they have the league's third-worst ERA with 6.87.
They received some much-needed reinforcements in June, with veteran left-hander Ham Deok-ju returning from an elbow injury and right-hander Yi Jung-yong getting discharged from the military. Their arrivals have not had the desired effects, though.
"When those two guys joined us, I thought we would only get stronger, but it hasn't turned out that way," Youm said. "That's why baseball is such a tough game. Things often don't go the way we want them to. Otherwise, we'd be in first place comfortably by now."
Youm's pitching staff has been dealt an unexpected blow this week when starter Son Ju-young came down with flu. He would have been in line to start Tuesday's game but Song Seung-ki will get the nod instead.
Youm said Son took IV shots Monday evening and again Tuesday morning.
"He's going to come to the park a bit late and will play some catch indoors," Youm said. "If he's good to go, then we will use him in later innings. If not, we will have to turn to other pitchers."
Son has had a breakout season as a starter this year, with an 11-6 record and a 3.39 ERA. He threw seven shutout innings in his most recent start last Thursday.