'Won Tae-in couldn't stop it either!' Samsung falls into a six-game losing streak → Kiwoom Heroes' 'An Chi-hong's clutch home run' secures back-to-back winning series [Gocheok Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Kiwoom Heroes achieved back-to-back winning series. At the same time, Samsung Lions fell into a six-game losing streak. Samsung's starting pitcher Won Tae-in pitched a quality start plus (7 innings or more with 3 or fewer earned runs, QS+) with 7 innings and 3 earned runs, but was overwhelmed by the opposing team's hitting.

'On the 25th, Kiwoom defeated Samsung 4-2 in a home game at Gocheok Sky Dome, located in Guro-gu, Seoul, in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.' After allowing one run in the first inning, Kiwoom turned the game around in the fourth inning and held the lead until the end. A crucial home run in the eighth inning sealed the victory.

'With this win, Kiwoom secured back-to-back victories, following a three-game home series against NC, and also secured a winning series in the three-game series against Samsung. On the other hand, Samsung has not won in six consecutive games since the match against LG on the 19th in Daegu.

'Kiwoom lined up Park Ju-hong (right fielder), Brooks (left fielder), An Chi-hong (second baseman), Im Ji-yeol (designated hitter), Choi Ju-hwan (first baseman), Kim Ji-seok (third baseman), Kim Dong-heon (catcher), Park Soo-jong (center fielder), and Oh Seon-jin (shortstop). The starting pitcher was right-handed Ha Young-min.

'Samsung countered with Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Park Seung-gyu (right fielder), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Diaz (first baseman), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Jeon Byeong-woo (third baseman), Kim Heon-kon (left fielder), Kang Min-ho (catcher), and Yang Woo-hyun (shortstop). Right-handed Won Tae-in started on the mound.

'Samsung took the lead first. In the top of the first inning, Kim Ji-chan drew a walk and Ryu Ji-hyuk hit a ground ball single to right field, creating a scoring opportunity with one out and runners on first and second. Diaz then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, taking a 1-0 lead.

'However, Kiwoom turned the game around in the bottom of the fourth inning. Leadoff batter An Chi-hong reached scoring position with a double to left field. Im Ji-yeol was out on a strikeout, but Choi Ju-hwan drew a walk. Kim Ji-seok hit a line drive single to center field, loading the bases. Subsequent batter Kim Dong-heon hit a ground ball to the shortstop, bringing An Chi-hong home. Next, Park Soo-jong hit a sharp grounder to third base, adding a two-run RBI single. Park Soo-jong's hit struck the third base bag and rolled into a double to left field. In an instant, Kiwoom took a 3-1 lead.

'Samsung responded. In the top of the sixth inning, leadoff batter Diaz hit a 146 km/h fastball thrown by Ha Young-min on a 1-ball-2-strike count, launching a solo home run over the fence. This was Diaz's fourth home run of the season. The ball traveled 125 meters, and it was immediately clear it was a home run upon contact. Samsung narrowed the two-run deficit to one run, putting pressure on Kiwoom.

'Samsung's comeback ended there. In the top of the eighth inning, Choi Hyung-woo and Kim Heon-kon hit consecutive singles, creating a scoring opportunity with two outs and runners on first and second, but Kang Min-ho struck out swinging. Instead, Kiwoom's An Chi-hong hit a solo home run off reliever Baek Jeong-hyun in the bottom of the eighth, making the score 4-2.

'Kiwoom's starter Ha Young-min pitched 5⅔ innings, allowing 5 hits, striking out 6, walking 3, and giving up 2 earned runs, delivering a solid performance. Following relievers Kim Sung-jin, Park Jeong-hoon, and Kim Jae-woong all pitched scoreless innings. Kiwoom's An Chi-hong went 3-for-4 with 1 home run, swinging the bat powerfully. On the other hand, Won Tae-in pitched 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, walking 2, striking out 4, and giving up 3 earned runs, pitching well but taking the loss. In Samsung's lineup, Park Seung-gyu, Diaz, and Kim Heon-kon fought hard with multi-hit performances, but the scattered 9 hits only resulted in 2 runs.'

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*This content was translated by AI.