KT pushes Samsung to third, drives Kiwoom into a seven-game losing streak to jump to sole second place! Choi Won-jun with three hits [Gocheok on-site review]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz drove Kiwoom Heroes into a seven-game losing slump, securing a winning series for the weekend's three-game sweep.

On the 30th, KT defeated Kiwoom 8-7 in an away game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League'. KT took the lead in the eighth inning with a go-ahead run when the score was tied 5-5.

With this win, KT extended its winning streak to three games, pushing Samsung, which lost that day, to third place and moving into sole second place. Meanwhile, Kiwoom failed to win for seven consecutive games.

KT's lineup for the day was Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Hilliard (center fielder), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Jang Sung-woo (designated hitter), Ryu Hyun-in (second baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Lee Kang-min (shortstop). The starting pitcher was right-hander Moon Yong-ik.

Kiwoom countered with Seo Geon-chang (left fielder), Lee Hyung-jong (right fielder), Hyu-ra (designated hitter), Ahn Chi-hong (second baseman), Im Byung-wook (center fielder), Kim Woong-bin (third baseman), Choi Ju-hwan (first baseman), Park Sung-bin (catcher), and Oh Seon-jin (shortstop). Left-hander Park Jeong-hoon started on the mound for Kiwoom.

KT seized early control of the game. In the top of the first inning with one out, Kim Hyun-soo's double to left-center and a hit-by-pitch to Kim Min-hyuk put runners on first and second. Although Hilliard was called out on an infield fly, seemingly ending the threat, Heo Kyung-min's infield hit to the left side of the shortstop area allowed the runners to advance aggressively on the bases, creating a bases-loaded opportunity with two outs.

With Jang Sung-woo at bat, KT capitalized on a wild pitch by the opposing pitcher. Runner Kim Hyun-soo from third base scored to take the lead. Jang Sung-woo then drew a walk, loading the bases again. Ryu Hyun-in followed with a bases-loaded walk, extending the lead to 2-0.

KT's offense remained fierce in the top of the second. After one out, Choi Won-jun opened the inning with a single to center. Choi successfully stole second base during Kim Hyun-soo's at-bat, and Kim Hyun-soo also drew a walk to maintain the opportunity. Kim Min-hyuk then hit a clean two-run single to center on the third pitch, scoring Choi from second base to add another run. Heo Kyung-min followed with an additional two-run hit, making it 4-0.

Kiwoom mounted a counterattack in the bottom of the second. Leadoff batter Ahn Chi-hong doubled to left-center, reaching scoring position. Ahn advanced to third on a ground ball by Im Byung-wook. With a bases-loaded opportunity created by consecutive walks to Kim Woong-bin, Ahn scored on Choi Ju-hwan's sacrifice fly to left field, cutting the deficit to 1-4.

In the top of the third, with one out, Han Seung-taek drew a walk and Lee Kang-min grounded out, resulting in a runner on second with two outs. Choi Won-jun then hit a two-run single, widening the gap to four runs. However, Kiwoom responded in the bottom of the third. Starting with a two-run single by Hyu-ra with one out and runners on first and second, followed by bases-loaded walks to Kim Woong-bin and Choi Ju-hwan, Kiwoom scored three runs to take a 5-4 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Kiwoom tied the game at 5-5 when Geogi hit a two-run single by Ahn Chi-hong with two outs and runners on first and third.

KT regained the lead in the top of the eighth. Leadoff batter Han Seung-taek drew a straight walk against reliever Won Jong-hyun. A sacrifice bunt by Kwon Dong-jin and an infield hit by Choi Won-jun that struck the pitcher put runners on first and third with one out. During Kim Hyun-soo's at-bat, a wild pitch by the opposing pitcher allowed Han Seung-taek, the runner from third, to score, adding a crucial run and putting KT ahead 6-5.

In the top of the ninth, with two outs and runners on first and third, pinch-hitter Lee Jeong-hoon and Kwon Dong-jin hit consecutive two-run singles, extending KT's lead to 8-5. In the bottom of the ninth, Kiwoom's Yeo Dong-wook hit a two-run home run against KT closer Park Young-hyun to attempt a comeback, but it was not enough to turn the game around.

KT starter Moon Yong-ik was pulled early after 2⅔ innings, allowing four hits, four walks, and four earned runs. However, relievers Woo Kyu-min, Jeon Yong-ju, Kim Jeong-won, Kim Min-soo, Son Dong-hyun, and Han Seung-hyuk all pitched scoreless innings. Unfortunately, Park Young-hyun allowed two hits and two earned runs in one inning. Choi Won-jun went 3-for-6 with one run scored, leading the offense, while Heo Kyung-min contributed with 2-for-5 and one RBI. Kiwoom's Hyu-ra went 2-for-5 with one RBI, and Ahn Chi-hong went 3-for-4 with one RBI, but they could not break the losing streak.

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*This content was translated by AI.