'0:2→3:2→3:5→5:5→6:5' Kang Min-seong's walk-off hit in the 10th inning! KT holds off LG to retain first place [Suwon Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

This series, nicknamed the "pre-view of the Korean Series," saw KT Wiz overcome multiple comebacks to defeat LG Twins and maintain their top position.

KT defeated LG 6-5 in a regular-season home game at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 28th in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League. With this victory, KT improved to 18 wins and 8 losses, extending their lead over LG, who now stand at 16 wins and 9 losses, to 1.5 games, securing first place.

The turning point came in the bottom of the 10th inning of extra innings. With both teams having exhausted their closers, and two outs with runners on first and second, Kang Min-seong hit a sacrifice single to left field, driving in one run to end the game. This was Kang's first career walk-off hit and his second career RBI.

In the pitching duel, LG earned a quality start. LG's starting pitcher, Lachlan Wells, pitched six innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out eight batters without surrendering a run, achieving a quality start (defined as six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs). KT's starting pitcher, Matt Sauer, also pitched six innings, allowing six hits (including one home run), two walks, one hit-by-pitch, and five strikeouts, while giving up two runs, but received no support from his team's offense.

On this day, LG lined up with Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Cheon Seong-ho (third baseman), Austin Dean (first baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (designated hitter), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Park Dong-won (catcher), and Shin Min-jae (second baseman). Lachlan Wells started on the mound.

In response, KT fielded Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Hyun-su (first baseman), Jang Seong-woo (designated hitter), Sam Hilliard (center fielder), Oh Yun-seok (third baseman), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Lee Kang-min (shortstop). Matt Sauer started on the mound.

The first run belonged to visiting team LG. In the top of the 1st inning, leadoff hitter Hong Chang-ki hit a triple that struck the center field wall. Cheon Seong-ho immediately followed with a single to center field, scoring one run. Later, a walk by Moon Bo-kyung and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with one out. It was a missed opportunity for LG that Song Chan-ui and Oh Ji-hwan both struck out swinging on consecutive pitches.

KT quickly seized its own opportunity. In the bottom of the 1st inning with two outs and a runner on first, Choi Won-jun stole second and then third base. Meanwhile, Jang Seong-woo, who reached base on a walk, also stole second, putting runners on second and third. However, Hilliard watched a fastball inside the hanbok-patterned plate, and the inning ended without a run.

LG extended their lead with a home run by Moon Bo-kyung. In the top of the 4th inning, Moon, batting leadoff, worked a full count (2 balls, 2 strikes) before fouling off three pitches and then crushing a 8th-pitch inside curveball over the right-field wall. It was his third home run of the season.

KT, trailing 0-2, seized another chance in the bottom of the 6th inning. Leadoff hitter Lee Kang-min reached base on a straight fastball walk, and Choi Won-jun hit a massive double that struck the center-right field wall, putting runners on second and third with one out. However, Kim Hyun-su and Jang Seong-woo both grounded out, failing to score again.

But KT eventually broke through LG's seemingly impenetrable mound. Trailing 0-2, in the bottom of the 7th inning, leadoff hitter Hilliard reached base on an infield hit after being hit by a pitch from reliever Woo Kang-hoon. Pinch-hitter Lee Jung-hoon hit a single to left field, and Kim Sang-su's ground ball put runners on first and third with one out.

Here, pinch-hitter Yoo Jun-gyu's bat sliced through the air above home plate. After working a full count, Yoo crushed a high fastball from Woo Kang-hoon, driving in a run with a single to center field. Yoo successfully stole second base, and when Kim Min-hyuk followed with a two-RBI single to left field, both Yoo and Kim scored. KT took a 3-2 lead.

The game saw multiple lead changes. In the top of the 8th inning with LG trailing 2-3 and two outs, Moon Bo-kyung drew a walk, and Song Chan-ui hit a single to left field, putting runners on second and third. While the left fielder attempted to make a play at home, Song Chan-ui cleverly stole second base, putting further pressure on KT.

KT closer Park Young-hyun entered the game. However, Oh Ji-hwan crushed the third pitch, a fastball, to left field for a two-RBI single, giving LG a 4-3 comeback lead. Park Hae-min drew a walk, and Park Dong-won added a one-RBI single to left field, putting LG ahead 5-3.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, KT sought a one-run comeback against reliever Kim Young-woo. Kim Dong-jin reached base on a single to left field. Even though Kim Sang-su was out on a foul fly to first base, Yoo Jun-gyu and Lee Kang-min drew consecutive walks, loading the bases with one out. Kang Hyun-woo hit a pop-up to the infield, but Oh Ji-hwan failed to field Choi Won-jun's sharply bounced ball, allowing KT to score one run and tie the game. Kim Hyun-su then drew a bases-loaded walk after a full count against Kim Jin-seong, tying the game at 5-5.

The long battle finally showed signs of ending. In the bottom of the 10th inning with one out, Kim Dong-jin reached base on an infield hit, and Kim Sang-su drew a walk. Kang Min-seong then hit a sacrifice single to left field on the first pitch from Kim Jin-su, securing the victory for KT.

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*This content was translated by AI.