'Choi Hyung-woo's 3-game consecutive home runs + Choi Won-tae's stellar pitching' Samsung secures a tense 2-1 victory over Kiwoom! 'Triple play' notwithstanding, Samsung surges with a three-game winning streak [Daegu On-site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Samsung Lions defeated Kiwoom Heroes after a tense pitching duel and defensive battle. Veteran Choi Hyung-woo's home run power and sharp eye at the plate decided the game.

On the 6th, Samsung defeated Kiwoom 2-1 in a home game at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.' With the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 6th inning, Ryu Ji-hyuk drew a bases-loaded walk to secure the victory for his team.

With this win, Samsung extended its winning streak to three games and secured a winning series. Meanwhile, Kiwoom fell into a three-game losing slump.

Samsung's starting lineup for the day was: Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Gu Ja-wook (left fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Diaz (first baseman), Park Seung-kyu (right fielder), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Jeon Byeong-woo (third baseman), Kim Do-hwan (catcher), and Kim Sang-jun (shortstop). The starting pitcher was right-hander Choi Won-tae.

Kiwoom countered with a lineup featuring Park Ju-hong (right fielder), An Chi-hong (second baseman), Kim Geon-hee (catcher), Choi Ju-hwan (first baseman), Im Byeong-wook (designated hitter), Yang Hyeon-jong (third baseman), Park Soo-jong (center fielder), Jeon Tae-hyun (left fielder), and Oh Seon-jin (shortstop). Right-hander Bae Dong-hyun started on the mound for Kiwoom.

Both teams exchanged runs in the first inning. In the top of the first, Kiwoom's leadoff batter Park Ju-hong reached base with a double to left field. Following a ground ball by An Chi-hong to first base, there was one out with a runner on third. Kim Geon-hee then hit a ground ball to the shortstop, scoring Park Ju-hong. In the bottom of the first, with two outs and no runners on base, Choi Hyung-woo hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1. This was Choi Hyung-woo's seventh home run of the season and his third consecutive game with a home run. His three-game consecutive home run streak came two years after his last such streak while playing for the KIA Tigers, from April 28 against LG at Jamsil Stadium to May 1 against KT at Gwangju.

The tight balance was broken in the bottom of the 6th. Samsung started with walks to Choi Hyung-woo and Diaz, followed by a hit-by-pitch to Park Seung-kyu, creating a bases-loaded, no-out opportunity. Ryu Ji-hyuk then drew a bases-loaded walk to take a 2-1 lead. However, a ground ball by Jeon Byeong-woo to the third baseman resulted in a triple play, preventing any additional runs.

Unable to score further, Samsung immediately shifted to a defensive strategy. From the 7th inning onward, Samsung successfully shut down Kiwoom's lineup by bringing in its relief pitchers in succession. Starting pitcher Choi Won-tae earned his first win of the season with a strong performance: 6⅓ innings, three hits allowed, one walk, five strikeouts, and one earned run. Lee Seung-min entered in the 7th with one out and pitched 1⅔ scoreless innings. Kim Jae-yun, who came in for the save situation, effectively closed out the top of the 9th inning to end the game.

Kiwoom's starting pitcher Bae Dong-hyun held on relatively well despite bleeding from his fingers, allowing five hits (including one home run) and two earned runs over five innings. He also showcased excellent defensive focus with a triple play in the bottom of the 6th, laying the groundwork for a comeback. However, Kiwoom ultimately failed to breach Samsung's defense and suffered a disappointing loss.

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*This content was translated by AI.