So Hyung-jun’s Struggles: What Went Wrong in His Latest KBO Start Against LG Twins?

So Hyeong-jun / Photo=DB

[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu] So Hyeong-jun left the game without qualifying for the win.

So started for the visiting team in the 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League matchup against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 29th. He worked three innings, allowing seven hits, striking out one, issuing two walks and surrendering three runs.

He threw 83 pitches: 3 four-seam fastballs, 5 curveballs, 10 changeups, 34 cutters and 31 two-seamers. His top velocity was 149 km/h.

So was shaky from the start. In the bottom of the first he issued a leadoff walk to Hong Chang-ki, erased Shin Min-jae on a double play, but then yielded consecutive hits to Austin and Moon Bo-kyung.

With two outs and runners at first and third threatening to score, So battled Park Dong-won to a full count before inducing an eight-pitch catcher’s pop fly to escape the jam.

In the second inning he struck out Moon Seong-joo and got Oh Ji-hwan to ground out to first, but allowed a single to Koo Bon-hyuk. He settled down and retired Park Hae-min on a soft pop up to shortstop.

However, So unraveled in the third. Hong Chang-ki delivered an RBI single, and a subsequent center-field error put runners at second with nobody out. The defense recorded a pitcher’s grounder out to get one out on Shin Min-jae.

With one out and a runner on third, So yielded an RBI double to Austin for his first run allowed. After Moon Bo-kyung flew out to left, So walked Park Dong-won, then gave up an RBI single to Moon Seong-joo and an RBI double to Oh Ji-hwan, which tied the game at 3-3.

Manager pulled So Hyeong-jun to start the bottom of the fourth, replacing him with Son Dong-hyun to finish the inning.

[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu sports@stoo.com]
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