Oh! "Despite a spate of injuries..." LG's resilience is remarkable — they've won "again"! Oh Ji-hwan's back-to-back home runs explode, defeating KIA and securing a winning series [Jamsil On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Following the injury of Baek Seung-hyun to his shoulder the previous day (29th), the LG Twins secured a winning series by winning both of the first two games in their three-game weekend series against the KIA Tigers.

On the 30th afternoon, LG defeated KIA 3-1 in a regular-season home game at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

With this victory, LG improved to 32 wins and 20 losses, achieving a two-game winning streak. Meanwhile, KIA recorded 28 wins, 1 tie, and 24 losses. The gap between the two teams widened from three games to four games.

For this game, LG set its starting lineup in the following order: Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin (designated hitter), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Cheon Seong-ho (first baseman), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Lee Young-bin (third baseman), Lee Ju-heon (catcher), and Shin Min-jae (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Song Seung-gi.

In response, KIA set its starting lineup as follows: Park Jae-hyun (left fielder), Kim Sun-bin (second baseman), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Adellin (designated hitter), Na Sung-beom (right fielder), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Oh Seon-woo (first baseman), Kim Tae-gun (catcher), and Park Min (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Adam Oller.

LG took an early 2-0 lead with a single powerful hit in the first inning, then added another run in the third to seize control of the game's momentum early. In the bottom of the first, LG's leadoff hitter Hong Chang-ki drew a walk after a seven-pitch at-bat. Following two outs, Oh Ji-hwan stepped into the batter's box and targeted Oller's first pitch, a fastball right down the middle, launching a two-run home run over the right-field wall. This was Oh Ji-hwan's fourth home run of the season, following his home run the previous day. With this home run, LG became the fifth team in KBO League history to reach 74,000 total hits.

LG extended its lead again in the bottom of the third with another powerful hit. Leadoff hitter Austin, facing a 2-2 count, connected with a 138.1 km/h slider on the seventh pitch, sending a solo home run over the left-field wall. This was Austin's 12th home run of the season. The exit velocity was 158.1 km/h, launch angle 26.6 degrees, and distance 117.2 meters.

KIA's batters struggled to hit Song Seung-gi throughout the game. Ultimately, Song Seung-gi pitched 5⅓ innings on 91 pitches, allowing four hits, no walks, and striking out four batters in a scoreless performance before handing the mound to Kim Jin-soo. Oller also delivered a quality start (six innings or more with three or fewer earned runs), fulfilling his role. Over six innings on 94 pitches, Oller allowed five hits, three walks, struck out eight batters, and gave up three earned runs. He then handed the mound to Kim Beom-soo starting in the seventh inning.

KIA did not retreat easily. Their first run of the game came in the eighth inning. LG had just switched pitchers from Kim Jin-soo to Kim Jin-seong. With one out, Kim Tae-gun drew a walk on the fifth pitch and was replaced by pinch-hitter Kim Min-gyu. The next batter, pinch-hitter Han Jun-su, hit a sharp line drive to left field. LG left fielder Kim Hyun-jong, rushing to field the ball, failed to make the catch, allowing the ball to roll behind him. During this play, Kim Min-gyu circled second and third base and scored. LG then replaced pitcher Kim Jin-seong with Kim Yun-sik. Kim Yun-sik got both Park Jae-hyun and Kim Sun-bin to hit routine ground balls, escaping further damage. Ultimately, LG secured the victory by bringing in closer Son Ju-young to pitch in the top of the ninth inning.

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*This content was translated by AI.