The KT Wiz have some strong hitters in the clutch.
The outfielder is nicknamed “The Finisher” for his seven career game-winning hits and one game-winning sacrifice fly.
Often overshadowed by Choi, Moon Sang-cheol has also played an Altoran-like role in crucial situations.
He has three game-winning hits this season.
Moon has been a key contributor to KT’s batting lineup, mostly as a pinch-hitter.
Moon Sang-chul, the “pinch-hitting specialist,” was given a special assignment this fall. It was as a designated hitter.
KT suffered a setback when center fielder Kang Baek-ho tore a muscle in his side against the Bluebacks on the 26th of last month, and KT manager Lee Kang-cheol entrusted Moon Sang-chul with the designated hitter position.
He filled the void perfectly.
Moon started as the No. 7 designated hitter in the first round of the playoffs (PO) against the NC Dinos at Katy Weeds Park in Suwon on March 30, and in the bottom of the third inning, trailing 0-4, he hit a solo home run over the right field fence off opposing ace Eric Peddy.
KT’s batters were stymied by Pedi’s performance and hadn’t gotten a single run before, but Moon broke the silence with a long ball.
At the time, Moon went 1-for-2 with a home run, two doubles, one walk, one RBI, and two runs scored.
The team lost 5-9, but Moon’s performance was a consolation prize.
The next day, in the second game of the NC and PO, Moon again swung the bat as the No. 6 designated hitter.
In the second inning, he hit a two-run double off Shin Min-cheol in left field.
Shin Min-cheol allowed just one hit in 6⅓ innings against KT hitters on the day, and that hit was produced by Moon Sang-chul.
Moon also exploded for a long ball in a clutch situation when KT was down two games to none.
Starting as the No. 6 designated hitter in Game 3 of the NC and PO at Changwon NC Park on April 2, Moon led off the top of the seventh inning with a 2-0 lead and hit a solo home run to left field off the opposing team’s second pitcher, Kim Young-gyu.
Working a full count, he scooped up a six-pitch low slider and sent it over the left field fence.
Even though he was down in the count, he swung the bat accurately to create a long ball.
A single run weighed heavily. KT activated the bullpen in the seventh inning and never allowed NC to catch up, ending the game 3-0.
Moon Sang-chul produced only one hit in his four at-bats on the day, but that one hit was the game-winning wedge home run. 먹튀검증