"Now it's a tie, now it's a comeback" — even the player himself didn't know; an unprecedented grand slam comeback no one expected [On-site interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I wasn't sure whether it was a tie or a comeback."

Even the player himself did not expect the home run. A miraculous grand slam comeback that erased a three-run deficit. Kang Seung-ho (32, Doosan Bears) made it happen.

On the 29th, Doosan defeated the Samsung Lions 9-7 at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, scoring six runs in the top of the ninth inning. It was a miraculous comeback victory that brought back memories of the "Miracle Doosan."

Doosan entered the top of the ninth inning trailing 3-7, the final offensive opportunity of the regular innings. Although there was no save situation, Samsung brought in closer Kim Jae-yoon to the mound. However, Doosan ignited their comeback with Son Ah-seop's line drive single and Cameron's walk. After Kim Min-seok struck out, pinch-hitter Kim In-tae drew another walk, creating a bases-loaded opportunity with one out.

Samsung replaced the pitcher with Bae Chan-seung, but Doosan's Park Chan-ho hit a line drive single to narrow the gap to 4-7. With one out and bases loaded, Kang Seung-ho connected with Bae Chan-seung's slider, drawing a high arc that instantly flipped the game. After two outs, Jung Soobin hit a solo home run over the right-field fence off the new pitcher Jang Chan-hee, extending the lead to two runs.

After the game, Kang Seung-ho said about the home run situation, "I knew Bae Chan-seung's slider was his main weapon, and with the bases loaded, I thought he would go for a breaking ball rather than a fastball, so I stepped into the batter's box with that expectation. I saw the slider high and waited, and the ball came in exactly where I thought it would."

He added, "It was thrilling. Actually, while running the bases, I wasn't sure if it was a tie or a comeback, but when I reached home plate and checked, it turned out to be a comeback. It felt great." Kang Seung-ho's grand slam was his second of his career and came 1,056 days after his previous one on July 8, 2023, against Kiwoom at Jamsil.

Doosan trailed 0-6 through the fourth inning. However, in the bottom of the fifth, Cameron hit a three-run home run off Samsung's starter Won Tae-in, sparking a comeback that culminated in the dramatic turnaround.

Kang Seung-ho said, "Although there was a significant score difference, we knew Daegu Stadium favors hitters, so we thought we could still come back if we kept chipping away. Fortunately, the batters ahead of me created good opportunities in the ninth inning, allowing me to hit well and secure a satisfying victory."

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*This content was translated by AI.