‘1st in batting average and 2nd in hits on the team’ returning to the lineup → Seriously, where did LG get these balls?
LG Twins’ foreign-born outfielder Austin Dean (30) hit his first home run of July to lead the team to a big win.
Austin started at first base four times against LG at Sajik Stadium in Busan on July 8 and went 3-for-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Behind his performance, LG defeated Lotte 12-3 to extend its winning streak to two games.
Stepping to the plate with two outs in the top of the first inning, Austin crushed a four-pitch, 149-kilometer fastball from Lotte starter Park Se-woong for a leadoff home run over the right field fence. His 11th home run of the season. It had a bat speed of 154.3km and a distance of 115 meters.
Austin, who homered against the KIA Tigers on June 30, reactivated his home run arsenal after a five-game absence. Park, who had hit just two homers this season, hadn’t hit a homer in 11 games since April 23 against the NC Dinos.
His bat didn’t cool down. With the score tied 2-2 in the third inning, he lined a single to right field to tie the game. In his third at-bat with one out in the top of the sixth, he grounded out to shortstop, but in the seventh, he drew a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. This set the stage for the big inning. LG then exploded for six runs on four more hits, effectively putting the game out of reach. In another at-bat, Austin singled to right to load the bases, but was unable to capitalize.
Austin was replaced by Jung Joo-hyun on defense in the bottom of the eighth to close out the game.
Prior to this game, Austin had struggled in his last 10 games, batting .184 with one home run and six RBIs. But he’s showing signs of rebounding. With the addition of this game, Austin’s batting average is back over .305. He now has 90 hits, 11 home runs, and 13 RBIs. He’s second on the team in hits and first in RBIs. His impact on the LG batting order is unmistakable.
After the match, Austin said, “I tried to be aggressive and not rush things. I just wanted to take it slow,” Austin said. “I’ve been working a lot on my approach and what pitches I’m going to hit, and it worked out well for me,” he said of his performance.
On his first home run, Austin’s pitch curved to right field. It was a pitch that could have been a foul ball, but it hit the foul pole for a home run.
“I felt like it was going to be a foul ball,” Austin recalls. I was excited that it was a home run. It was fun, it was funny. I just kept telling myself, ‘Please go in,'” he said. “It was even better that it was a first-inning home run. It’s hard to hit a home run in the first inning, and it felt even better because it was a home run to give Plutko a boost,” he laughed.메이저사이트
Austin earned his spot in the All-Star Game by being recommended by Kium coach Hong Won-ki. Austin, who has always wanted to play in the All-Star Game, said he was happy to be selected.
“It’s an honor to be able to play in the All-Star Game, which I’ve always wanted to play in,” he said. First and foremost, I want to thank the fans for voting for me. “Even when I was in the United States, I wanted to play in the All-Star Game. Even though it’s my first year in Korea, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to play in the All-Star Game.”
Austin is already thinking of ways to entertain fans. “I’m thinking about it, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to execute it,” he laughed. Asked when we can expect it, he says, “Right now, next week. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get the costume in time, so I can’t promise anything.”
