'How did this happen?' KIA's thrilling 8-game winning streak plunges into a shocking 5-game losing skid, while KT secures a sweep victory to sprint to 'sole first place' [Suwon Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers, after surging on a thrilling 8-game winning streak, fell into a shocking 5-game losing skid. They lost all three midweek games against KT Wiz. Meanwhile, KT succeeded in winning three straight games.

On the 23rd, KT defeated KIA 8-3 in a regular-season home game at Suwon KT Wiz Park in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League. With this victory, KT recorded 16 wins and 6 losses, sprinting to sole first place in the league. Meanwhile, KIA recorded 10 wins and 12 losses.

KIA started the game with Lee Ui-ri on the mound. Before this match, Lee Ui-ri had started four games this season, posting a record of 1 win and 2 losses with an ERA of 7.24. Over a total of 13⅔ innings, he allowed 18 hits (3 home runs), issued 12 walks, recorded 16 strikeouts, and gave up 11 runs (11 earned). His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) stood at 2.20, and his batting average against was 0.321.

KIA set its starting lineup in the following order: Dale (second baseman), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Kim Sun-bin (designated hitter), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Castro (left fielder), Na Sung-beom (right fielder), Lee Ho-yeon (first baseman), Ju Hyo-sang (catcher), and Park Min (shortstop).

KT named So Hyoung-jun (pitcher) as its starter. Before this game, So Hyoung-jun had recorded 2 wins and no losses in four games this season with an ERA of 4.50. Over 22 innings, he allowed 26 hits (2 home runs), issued 4 walks, recorded 22 strikeouts, and gave up 11 runs (11 earned). His WHIP was 1.36, and his batting average against was 0.295.

KT's lineup was arranged as follows: Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Min-hyeok (left fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (designated hitter), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Hiliard (center fielder), Oh Yun-seok (first baseman), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Jang Jun-won (third baseman), and Lee Kang-min (shortstop).

KIA took the lead in the top of the first inning. They did not miss the opportunity as So Hyoung-jun wavered. With no outs and bases loaded, Kim Do-young hit a sacrifice single to left field, bringing home third baseman Dale. Then, when Castro hit a double play ball to the second baseman, third baseman Kim Ho-ryeong scored, making it 2-0.

KT immediately responded in the bottom of the first inning with a massive 5-run rally to take the lead. With two outs and runners on first and second, Oh Yun-seok hit a two-run sacrifice single to left field, tying the game at 2-2. Following that, Kim Sang-su's two-run double to left-center field and Jang Jun-won's sacrifice single to right field followed in succession, quickly extending the lead to 5-2.

KIA did not give up easily. They launched an immediate counterattack in the top of the second inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, a fielding error by opposing second baseman Kim Sang-su occurred on a ground ball to the second baseman hit by Kim Ho-ryeong. During that play, second baseman Ju Hyo-sang scored, cutting the deficit by one run. Afterward, both starting pitchers, who had struggled early in the game, regained their composure. Both Lee Ui-ri and So Hyoung-jun shut out the opponents in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, showing signs of recovery.

Then, in the bottom of the sixth inning, KT extended its lead by one more run. With two outs and a runner on third, Jang Jun-won came to the plate. Taking advantage of a wild pitch by KIA relief pitcher Hong Min-gyu, third baseman Hiliard scored, pushing the lead to 6-3.

KT escaped with another run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Facing KIA's reliever Choi Ji-min, Kim Min-hyeok reached base with a single to center field with two outs and was immediately replaced by pinch runner Bae Jeong-dae. Kim Hyun-soo then hit a two-run double that dropped just inside the left-field line, bringing home pinch runner Bae Jeong-dae from first base.

KT added another run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Kim Geon-guk remained on the mound. After Hiliard's single to right field and a walk by Oh Yun-seok, followed by a wild pitch, KT secured a bases-loaded opportunity with no outs. Kim Sang-su then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to center field.

KT starter So Hyoung-jun earned the win, pitching 5 innings, allowing 6 hits, issuing 2 walks, recording 5 strikeouts, and giving up 3 runs (2 earned). He was followed by Jeon Yong-ju (1 inning, 1 walk, no hits), Sugimoto (1 inning, 1 hit, 1 strikeout), Han Seung-hyeok (1 inning, 2 strikeouts, no hits), and Woo Kyu-min (1 inning), who each came in to secure the team victory. In the batting lineup, which totaled 8 hits, Kim Hyun-soo shone with a multi-hit performance.

In contrast, KIA starter Lee Ui-ri took the loss, pitching 5 innings, allowing 4 hits, issuing 4 walks, recording 3 strikeouts, and giving up 5 runs (5 earned). This marked his third loss of the season. He was followed by Hong Min-gyu (1 inning, 1 hit, 1 run), Choi Ji-min (⅔ inning, 2 hits, 1 run), and Kim Geon-guk (1⅓ inning, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 run), who each took the mound in order. In the batting lineup, which totaled 7 hits, Kim Ho-ryeong and Park Min fought hard with multi-hit performances.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.