Doosan Bears Rally With Key Homers To Beat Lotte Giants

On June 6, 2025, the Doosan Bears delivered a commanding performance at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, securing a 5-2 victory over the Lotte Giants in their seventh meeting of the 2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League season. This win marked Doosan's second consecutive triumph after a 23-day gap, signaling a resurgence for the team amid a challenging season.

The Bears’ ace, Jake Rogers, was the linchpin on the mound, delivering a masterful six-inning outing. Rogers allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out four batters, throwing 90 pitches without surrendering an earned run. This stellar effort earned him his fourth win of the season, bolstering his record to 4-5.

Facing Rogers was Lotte’s Ahn Na-kyun, who struggled to find rhythm on the mound. The left-hander pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits, including three home runs, and four earned runs. Despite not walking a batter, Ahn's control was insufficient to contain Doosan’s offense, leading to his fourth loss of the season without a win.

The game’s scoring opened early in the bottom of the first inning when Doosan capitalized on consecutive hits by Kim Dong-jun and Yang Eui-ji. With runners on first and third and one out, Kim Jae-hwan delivered a clutch sacrifice fly, bringing in the first run and setting the tone for the Bears. This early advantage energized the home crowd and the team.

In the second inning, Kim Dae-han showcased his power with a solo home run, his first of the season and seventh career homer. Facing Ahn Na-kyun’s 138 km/h cutter, Kim connected solidly, sending the ball soaring 120 meters to left field. This blast extended Doosan’s lead to 2-0 and highlighted Kim’s return to form, as it was his first home run since June 19, 2024.

The game also featured a controversial moment in the fourth inning. Lotte’s Jeon Min-jae appeared to swing on a pitch from Rogers, but first base umpire Lee Yong-hyeok called a 'no swing,' a decision that sparked debate. Jeon later reached base due to a fielding error by Doosan's third baseman Park Jun-soon. Although this sequence put Doosan in a precarious 2-out, 3rd-base situation, Rogers managed to escape without damage, maintaining the Bears' shutout through the early innings.

The Bears’ offense reignited in the sixth inning with back-to-back solo home runs that electrified the stadium. Kim Dong-jun, celebrating his debut home run, blasted a 134 km/h splitter from Ahn Na-kyun over the right field fence, traveling an impressive 130 meters. This homer marked a milestone for the fourth-year player, who had been steadily improving his hitting.

Immediately following, veteran catcher Yang Eui-ji smashed a 144 km/h fastball for his tenth home run of the season, a 105-meter shot to left field. This homer was historic, as it marked Yang’s 12th consecutive season with at least ten home runs, placing him twelfth all-time in KBO history for such consistency. The consecutive home runs by Kim Dong-jun and Yang Eui-ji were the 14th such occurrence in the 2025 season, underscoring Doosan’s potent lineup.

In a touching display of sportsmanship, the home run balls were caught by fans from opposing sides—Kim Dong-jun’s ball by a Doosan supporter in right field and Yang Eui-ji’s by a Lotte fan in left field. Both fans generously returned the balls to the Doosan organization and received signed memorabilia in exchange, fostering goodwill between the teams' supporters.

The Bears continued to press their advantage in the seventh inning. After an infield hit by Park Kye-beom and subsequent singles by Yeo Dong-geon and Jake Rogers, Kim Dong-jun delivered a clutch RBI double down the right field line, extending the lead to 5-0. This hit was part of Kim’s impressive 3-for-4 performance, contributing two RBIs and two runs scored.

Lotte sought to mount a comeback in the eighth inning when Victor Reyes launched a two-run homer off Doosan reliever Lee Young-ha. Reyes’ 130-meter blast to center field closed the gap to 5-2, offering a glimmer of hope for the Giants. However, Doosan’s bullpen, led by rookie Yang Jae-hoon, was resolute. Yang pitched 1 2/3 innings without allowing a run, earning his first career save and securing the victory for the Bears.

Doosan’s lineup was bolstered by strong contributions beyond the home runs. Yang Eui-ji added a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3 with one home run and one RBI. Kim Jae-hwan went 1-for-2 with an RBI, while Kim Dae-han contributed 1-for-4 with his home run and an RBI. Jake Rogers’ pitching and the timely hitting from young stars like Kim Dong-jun and Kim Dae-han demonstrated the Bears’ blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent.

Meanwhile, Lotte’s offense was hampered by missed opportunities. Despite runners in scoring position during the first, fourth, and seventh innings, the Giants failed to capitalize, with key hitters unable to deliver clutch hits. The loss extended Lotte’s losing streak to three games and deepened their struggles on the road, dropping them to fourth place with a 32-3-28 record.

Doosan’s victory also marked a milestone for acting manager Jo Sung-hwan, who secured his first win and first winning streak since taking over the team. The Bears’ 25-3-34 record places them ninth in the league, but this recent surge could signal a turning point in their season.

Injuries and roster changes played a role in the game’s dynamics. Lotte's outfielder Yoon Dong-hee was sidelined with a left thigh muscle injury, leading to rookie Kim Dong-hyun’s first call-up and rookie Han Seung-hyun’s debut start in right field. Doosan made pitching adjustments by registering Kim Jung-woo and removing Hong Min-kyu from the roster, reflecting ongoing strategic shifts.

The game was a showcase of Doosan’s trademark “fountain of youth” baseball philosophy, relying on young players like Kim Dong-jun and Kim Dae-han to deliver key performances. Their power displays, combined with Rogers’ steady pitching and Yang Eui-ji’s veteran consistency, made the difference against a Lotte team struggling to find answers.

As the KBO League season progresses, Doosan’s ability to string together wins after a lengthy drought will be crucial for climbing the standings. Meanwhile, Lotte faces the challenge of breaking their losing skid and regaining momentum on the road.

With the action ongoing in the 2025 season, fans can expect more thrilling moments as both teams continue to battle for playoff positioning and pride. Doosan’s blend of emerging talent and experienced leadership seems poised to make waves, while Lotte seeks to recalibrate and respond to the challenges ahead.