*This content was translated by AI.
Could this be LG's biggest hit product of the year? The protagonist is Kim Jin-soo (28) of the LG Twins, who provides a more comfortable sense of stability than any bullpen resource.
On the 30th afternoon, LG secured a 3-1 victory over KIA in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium. With this win, LG extended their winning streak to two games, improving their record to 32 wins and 20 losses. They now hold sole possession of first place in the league standings, leading second-place KT Wiz by 0.5 games.
On this day, LG's starting pitcher Song Seung-gi delivered a scoreless gem over 5⅓ innings, allowing four hits and striking out four batters, securing a valuable victory.
There were hurdles. In the bottom of the sixth inning, with KIA batting, Song Seung-gi faced leadoff batter Park Min and, after a 15-pitch battle, retired him on a fly ball to left field. He then allowed consecutive hits to Park Jae-hyun and Kim Sun-bin, leaving him in a crisis with one out and runners on first and third.
That was the end of the line for Song Seung-gi. With LG leading 3-0, the relief pitcher who took the mound was none other than Kim Jin-soo.
The opposing batter was Kim Do-young, who has established himself as the best hitter in the KBO League. The first pitch was a ball. Then, on the second pitch, Kim Jin-soo threw a slider inside the zone, and Kim Do-young swung his bat powerfully. The batted ball, a grounder that slipped past the pitcher, appeared to be heading toward center field.
However, LG's incredible defensive shift was already in place. Shin Min-jae, positioned near second base, cleanly fielded the ball, stepped on second base himself, and threw to first base to complete a double play. At a moment when KIA could have seized momentum, the collaboration between Kim Jin-soo, Shin Min-jae, and the bench's defensive shift saved the team.
Kim Jin-soo returned to the mound in the seventh inning. He retired leadoff batter Adellin on a third-base grounder on the second pitch. He then retired Na Sung-beom on a second-base grounder on the fourth pitch and retired Kim Ho-ryeong on a fly ball to right field, finishing his outing with three consecutive outs. His performance that day was a perfect 1⅔ innings.
Kim Jin-soo, who graduated from Iseocho Elementary School, Gunsan Middle School, Gunsan High School, and Chung-Ang University, was selected by LG in the second round, 17th overall, in the 2021 rookie draft. His signing bonus was 100 million won. He did not immediately stand out after joining the team. He appeared in only three games in the 2021 season, eight games in the 2024 season, and four games in the 2025 season.
This same pitcher has now appeared in 16 relief games this season, posting an impressive record of 2 wins, 1 loss, 1 save, 3 holds, and a 2.08 ERA, establishing himself as LG's reliable reliever. Over 21⅔ innings, he allowed 17 hits (including two home runs), five walks, and 14 strikeouts, while giving up five runs (all earned). Relying on his stable control, he has engaged in bold pitching and has recorded eight consecutive scoreless outings in his last eight games.
After the game, Kim Jin-soo said, "I came in with runners on base, but I managed to hold them off and the team was able to win, so I'm glad. It's always on my mind when I step on the mound, but I try to throw my own kind of pitch regardless of the situation."
He continued, "(Song Seung-gi) hugged me, saying he was very grateful. Seung-gi had previously told me, 'Next time, please hold off my inherited runners,' and I was glad that I was able to hold off Seung-gi's inherited runners and the team won. I experienced the Korean Series after joining the first team at the end of last year, and I think the atmosphere and experience I briefly felt in the latter part of that season have carried over into this year and have been very helpful."
Finally, he added, "Thanks to the fans who always come to the baseball stadium and cheer for us passionately, we were able to win. We will repay you with even better performances."
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*This content was translated by AI.
