'Park Seung-gyu's walk-off two-run homer → Choi Hyung-woo's go-ahead hit → Harada's third win' Samsung retains sole lead! SSG suffers 'shocking' 8-game losing streak [Incheon on-site review]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Samsung Lions pushed SSG Landers into an eight-game losing streak.

'Samsung secured a 4-1 road victory against SSG at Incheon SSG Landers Field in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League' game on the 27th. Although SSG took an early lead in the fourth inning, Samsung scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead. They added two more runs in the ninth inning to seal the game.

'With this win, Samsung continued the momentum from their 10-0 victory over Lotte at Sajik on the 24th, completing a two-game winning streak. Meanwhile, SSG had rested on the previous day (the 26th) due to rain cancellation but failed to break their losing streak.

'Samsung lined up Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Park Seung-gyu (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Lewin Diaz (first baseman), Jeon Byung-woo (third baseman), Kang Min-ho (catcher), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), and Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop) in that order. The starting pitcher was foreign left-hander Anthony Venziano.

'In response, SSG set their starting lineup as Park Sung-han (shortstop), Jung Jun-jae (second baseman), Heredia (left fielder), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Han Yu-seom (right fielder), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Oh Tae-gon (first baseman), An Sang-hyun (third baseman), and Lee Ji-young (catcher). Ariel Harada started on the mound for SSG.

'The game on this day unfolded as a tight pitching duel through the top of the fourth inning. The team that broke the balance first was SSG. After one out in the bottom of the fourth, Heredia reached base via a hit-by-pitch. Following a strikeout by Kim Jae-hwan, Han Yu-seom's infield single put runners on first and third. Choi Ji-hoon's ground ball to first base resulted in an error by Diaz, allowing SSG to take the early lead.

'However, Samsung's counterattack began immediately in the bottom of the fifth. Leading off the inning, first batter Kim Ji-chan drew a walk after a grueling full-count battle with the opposing pitcher, setting the stage for the rally.

'Next, Park Seung-gyu stepped into the batter's box. After seeing one ball and one strike, he connected powerfully on the third pitch. The ball traveled 115 meters, clearing the left-field fence for a massive walk-off two-run home run. This was Park's sixth home run of the season. With Park's powerful blast, Samsung instantly turned the game around, taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth.

'The tight pitching duel resumed, and Samsung held a precarious one-run lead. In the top of the ninth, Samsung scored a crucial extra run to seal the game. Leading off, Kim Ji-chan drew a walk against the new closer Jo Byung-hyun. Although pinch-hitter Kim Sung-yoon's bunt attempt failed, leaving some regret, subsequent batter Koo Ja-wook hit a single to right-center field, creating a one-out, first-and-second opportunity.

'Samsung then introduced pinch-runner Kim Heon-gon as a strategic move. Fourth batter Choi Hyung-woo did not disappoint. After a four-pitch battle with Jo Byung-hyun, he hit a sharp line drive for a two-run single to right field, extending the lead to 3-1. This was a valuable score. Next, Jeon Byung-woo hit a sacrifice fly, making it 4-1. In the bottom of the ninth, Samsung brought in closer Kim Jae-yoon to close out the game.

'Samsung starter Harada earned his third win of the season with an outstanding performance: 7 innings, 5 hits allowed, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, and 1 earned run. Relief pitchers Bae Chan-seung and Kim Jae-yoon secured the late innings firmly. Offensively, Koo Ja-wook and Choi Hyung-wook both recorded multi-hit games, while Park Seung-gyu went 1-for-4 with one home run and two RBIs. In contrast, SSG starter Venziano took the loss after pitching 4⅔ innings, allowing 6 hits (including one home run), walking 3 batters, striking out 2, and giving up 2 earned runs.

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*This content was translated by AI.