Who will wear Lotte’s uniform for a four-year total of 8 billion won ahead of this season, was stressed out about his below-expected performance.
In the match against Ulsan Samsung on the 5th, he scored two hits and three RBIs in three at-bats, including a home run, contributing to a 10-3 victory.
Yoo Kang-nam, who played as the sixth catcher, hit Samsung starter Choi Chae-heung’s first fastball (141km) in the first inning with two outs and runners on first and third base, leading 1-0 to a three-run home run over the left-center. The first home run in 45 days since the game against Sajik Kiwoom on July 22. Lotte succeeded in winning the 4-0 lead in the first inning with Goodrum’s right fielder sacrifice fly and Yoo Kang-nam’s three-run home run over the left-center wall.
Yoo Kang-nam also hit a double to right field in his second at-bat in the third inning to complete his 10th multi-hit of the season. Lotte’s acting coach Lee Jong-woon applauded, saying, “Yoo Kang-nam hit a three-run home run early in the game and was able to bring the atmosphere to our side.”
Yoo Kang-nam, who met with reporters after the game, said, “I worked with confidence from the first pitch and wanted to swing it coolly. “I was intimidated by the bad outcome of the meeting, so I decided to swing it coolly without regret,” he said, expressing his feelings for the first time in 45 days.
He then said, “I’m having a career low season due to sluggish batting, but coaches help me a lot and encourage me a lot that I can do it.” With the encouragement of the coaches, I try to show better performance without shrinking. “It’s thanks to the coaches’ courage today as well,” he said.
It was helpful for Yoo Kang-nam to watch his batting video to get out of the endless batting slump. “I happened to watch a good video today. I tried to follow the video while thinking about how I felt”. That’s what Yoo Kang Nam said.
The bat he received from his “best friend” Koo Ja-wook (Samsung) also played a role. Yoo Kang-nam said, “I got a bat from Ja-wook ahead of today’s game, and he hit a home run in his first at-bat with that bat. I did well, but Ja-wook went 0 for 4 at-bats. I don’t know if I took away the good energy,” he said, expressing his sorry feelings.
One of the biggest advantages of Yoo Kangnam is its durability. Although he is far from injured, he suffered a torn left side muscle during a swing in July and took a break for a while. Recalling the situation at the time, he said, “It was very embarrassing. Although it was a major injury, he consoled himself with a 0.5cm tear. It’s fortunate that I didn’t endure the pain and talked about it before it was torn more. “I think they gave me a signal to take good care of my body and follow my routine thoroughly in the sky,” he said.
Lotte starter Aaron Wilkerson won his fourth win of the season with three runs and a quality start in six innings. Yoo Kang-nam, who worked with Wilkerson, said, “It was helpful to increase the rate of cut fastball based on the data received from the R&D team ahead of today’s game,” adding, “Wilkerson is such a good pitcher, so he can throw well with any catcher.”
When I told Yoo Kang-nam, “I think I will be on the rise due to my performance on the day,” he said, “I want to do this every day, but it doesn’t work well,” adding, “I just don’t have to give up.” Fall baseball is enough because it is winning consecutive games. I want to think positively,” he replied with a big smile.
Smile naturally comes out at the growth of Lotte’s young catchers, including Jung Bo-geun and Son Sung-bin. “Seeing my juniors do well makes me proud and proud, and I also feel good. The atmosphere of the catcher group is very good. I think I’ll be the only one who needs to do well,” he finished the interview토토사이트 모음