'Bottom of the 9th, 3-7 to 9-7': Kang Seung-ho's walk-off grand slam, how long since the 'Miracle Doosan'? [Daegu on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

How long has it been since such a 'Miracle Doosan' moment? The Doosan Bears secured a thrilling comeback victory thanks to Kang Seung-ho's dramatic walk-off grand slam.

On the 29th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, with Doosan trailing 4-7 in the bottom of the 9th, one out, and bases loaded, Kang Seung-ho launched a walk-off grand slam to left-center field off opposing pitcher Bae Chan-seung.

This was the final offensive inning of regulation for Doosan, trailing 3-7. Despite not being in a save situation, Samsung brought in closer Kim Jae-yoon to the mound. However, Doosan kept the comeback alive with Son Ah-seop's infield single and Cameron's walk. After Kim Min-seok struck out, pinch-hitter Kim In-tae drew another walk to create a bases-loaded opportunity with one out.

Samsung replaced the pitcher with Bae Chan-seung, but Doosan's Park Chan-ho hit an infield single to narrow the gap to 4-7. Then, Kang Seung-ho pulled Bae Chan-seung's slider, instantly flipping the game with a walk-off grand slam.

With two outs, Jeong Soobin hit a solo home run over the fence off the new pitcher Jang Chan-hee, sealing the victory. Doosan's closer Lee Young-ha held the line in the bottom of the 9th without allowing a run, securing a 9-7 win.

Early on, the atmosphere favored a Samsung victory. Samsung took the lead in the 1st inning with a run-scoring single by Koo Ja-wook. In the 4th inning with no outs and a runner on first, Kang Min-ho pulled a high fastball (144 km/h) from opposing starter Jack Logue, sending it over the left-center field fence for a two-run home run (distance: 128m). This was his third home run of the season, following a two-day streak after hitting one against SSG Landers the previous day. Kang Min-ho hitting back-to-back home runs in consecutive games is a feat not seen since September 2024, a span of one year and eight months.

In continued offensive pressure, Samsung capitalized on consecutive run-scoring singles by Kim Ji-chan and Koo Ja-wook, along with opposing errors, to score five runs in the bottom of the 4th inning alone, blowing the score open to 6-0. In the top of the 5th, starting pitcher Won Tae-in surrendered a three-run home run to Cameron over the left field fence, narrowing the deficit to three runs. However, in the bottom of the 8th, Jeon Byeong-woo hit a solo home run to extend the lead to 7-3.

Won Tae-in threw a season-high 110 pitches, pitching six innings while allowing five hits (one home run) and three earned runs, but failed to secure the win due to the bullpen allowing a comeback.

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*This content was translated by AI.