Kiwoom Heroes Suffer Crushing Defeat in First Game Under Interim Manager Seol Jong-jin

A New Era Begins with Disappointment

The struggling Kiwoom Heroes faced a harsh reality check in their first game under interim manager Seol Jong-jin, suffering a crushing 10-15 defeat to the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on July 20th. This devastating loss marked a disappointing start to what many hoped would be a turnaround for the league's last-place team.

The Heroes, who had been mired at the bottom of the KBO League standings with a dismal 27-61-3 record (.307 winning percentage), made the dramatic decision to fire manager Hong Won-ki, general manager Ko Hyung-wook, and head coach Kim Chang-hyun during the All-Star break on July 14th. This unprecedented move sent shockwaves through the Korean baseball community, as it's rare for a team to make such sweeping changes mid-season. The decision reflected the organization's desperation to salvage what remained of their 2025 campaign and avoid a third consecutive last-place finish.

Seol Jong-jin, who had been managing the team's minor league affiliate, was thrust into the spotlight as the interim manager. The former Futures League skipper faced enormous pressure to turn around a franchise that had become synonymous with losing. However, his debut couldn't have gone worse, as his team surrendered seven home runs in what became an offensive showcase for the Samsung Lions.

The Perfect Storm: Rain Delays and High Expectations

The Heroes' second-half opener was delayed by three days due to heavy rainfall that plagued the Korean peninsula from July 17-19. This extended break gave fans and media alike time to speculate about potential changes under the new management structure. When the game finally took place, expectations were cautiously optimistic despite the team's poor first-half performance.

The delay also meant that both teams were eager to get back into action after the All-Star break. Samsung, sitting in 6th place with a 43-44-1 record, was looking to break out of their own four-game losing streak. The Lions had their own struggles, but they were still in contention for a playoff spot, unlike the Heroes who were already mathematically eliminated from postseason consideration.

Community reaction leading up to the game was mixed, with Heroes fans expressing cautious hope while acknowledging the massive challenges ahead. Online forums on Naver Sports and DC Inside showed a 60-40 split between those who believed the coaching change could spark improvement and skeptics who felt the team's problems ran deeper than management.

Offensive Explosion: Samsung's Seven-Homer Barrage

The game began promisingly for both teams, with each side scoring once in the first inning to establish an early 1-1 tie. The Heroes took their first lead in the third inning when Ju Sung-won delivered a clutch RBI single with two outs and a runner on third base. However, Samsung quickly responded in the bottom half when Lewin Diaz launched a two-run homer over the right field wall for his 30th home run of the season, giving the Lions a 3-2 advantage.

The fourth inning proved to be a turning point, but initially in favor of Kiwoom. The Heroes exploded for five runs, highlighted by Stone Garrett's three-run blast to left-center field. The foreign slugger, who was playing his final game for Kiwoom before departing, made his farewell memorable with only his second KBO League home run. This offensive outburst gave the Heroes a commanding 7-3 lead and momentarily silenced critics who questioned the team's ability to compete.

However, Samsung's response was swift and devastating. The Lions' offensive awakening began in the fifth inning when Koo Ja-wook connected on a two-run homer to right field, his 13th of the season, narrowing the gap to 7-5. But it was the sixth inning that truly showcased Samsung's power, as they launched three consecutive home runs that completely changed the game's trajectory.

The Sixth Inning Massacre: Back-to-Back-to-Back

Samsung's sixth-inning assault will be remembered as one of the most devastating offensive displays of the 2025 KBO season. The carnage began with leadoff hitter Kim Young-woong launching a solo shot over the left field wall for his 9th homer of the year. What followed was even more spectacular – Kim Tae-hoon stepped into the batter's box and immediately sent the very next pitch soaring over the right field fence for back-to-back home runs, his 2nd of the season.

The Heroes' pitching staff was in complete disarray, unable to find answers for Samsung's relentless attack. With one out and a runner on first base, Lee Jae-hyeon delivered the knockout blow with a two-run homer to right field, his 10th of the season, giving Samsung a 9-7 lead they would never relinquish. The three consecutive home runs in one inning tied a franchise record and left Heroes fans stunned in the stands.

Korean baseball social media exploded with reactions to this offensive display. Comments on popular forums like theqoo and MLB Park ranged from amazement at Samsung's power hitting to harsh criticism of Kiwoom's pitching staff. One particularly viral comment read: 'This isn't baseball, it's batting practice for Samsung.' The Heroes' inability to record outs during this crucial stretch exposed the deep-rooted problems that led to the coaching staff's dismissal.

Diaz's Dominant Performance and Kiwoom's Late Rally

Lewin Diaz continued his MVP-caliber season with a dominant performance that showcased why he leads the KBO League in home runs. The Dominican slugger went 4-for-5 with 5 RBIs, including two more home runs in the seventh inning. His solo shot in the bottom of the seventh, his 31st of the season, extended Samsung's lead and demonstrated the kind of consistent power that has made him one of the league's most feared hitters.

Samsung added insult to injury in the seventh inning, scoring four more runs to build a commanding 13-7 advantage. Kang Min-ho contributed with a sacrifice fly, and Lee Seong-kyu capped the scoring spree with a two-run homer to left field, his 3rd of the season. The Lions' offensive explosion totaled seven home runs for the game, the most allowed by Kiwoom in a single contest this season.

Despite trailing by six runs, the Heroes showed some fight in the eighth inning. Choi Joo-hwan launched a three-run homer to right field, his 7th of the season, bringing the score to 10-13 and giving fans a brief moment of hope. However, Samsung answered immediately in the bottom half, scoring two more runs to seal the 15-10 victory and dash any hopes of a miraculous comeback.

Fan Reactions and Cultural Context: A Franchise in Crisis

The overwhelming reaction from Heroes fans was one of frustration and disappointment, with many questioning whether the coaching change would be enough to address the team's fundamental issues. Online communities showed a stark shift in sentiment, with pre-game optimism giving way to harsh criticism. Naver Sports comment sections were flooded with calls for more drastic organizational changes, while some fans expressed sympathy for interim manager Seol Jong-jin, acknowledging the impossible situation he inherited.

International fans following Korean baseball were equally shocked by the offensive display. The seven home runs allowed by Kiwoom became a trending topic on baseball forums worldwide, with many comparing it to historic offensive outbursts in other professional leagues. For foreign fans trying to understand Korean baseball culture, this game perfectly illustrated the passionate, sometimes brutal nature of KBO fandom, where patience runs thin when teams consistently underperform.

The cultural significance of this defeat extends beyond just one game. In Korean baseball, interim managers are often viewed as temporary solutions rather than long-term answers. Seol Jong-jin's appointment was seen by many as the organization buying time to identify a permanent replacement for the 2026 season. The pressure on him to show immediate improvement was immense, making this opening loss particularly damaging to both his credibility and the team's morale for the remainder of the season.