'1.6 billion won FA' delivers! Hero of the 'bottom of the 8th' in offense, Kiwoom loses by a thrilling one-run margin [Jamsil On-site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Doosan Bears secured a victory over Kiwoom Heroes in the first game of their three-game weekend series, gaining the upper hand.

Doosan defeated Kiwoom 4-3 in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game held at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 5th. With this win, Doosan improved to 28 wins, 2 ties, and 28 losses, returning to a .500 winning percentage. Meanwhile, Kiwoom recorded 21 wins, 1 tie, and 37 losses.

Doosan set its starting lineup in the following order: Jung Soobin (center fielder), Cameron (right fielder), Son Ah-seop (left fielder), Yang Eui-ji (designated hitter), Ahn Jae-seok (third baseman), Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Oh Myung-jin (second baseman), Kim Ki-yeon (catcher), and Kang Seung-ho (first baseman). The starting pitcher was left-hander Choi Seung-yong.

Kiwoom arranged its starting lineup as follows: Seo Geon-chang (second baseman), Ahn Chi-hong (first baseman), Hyura (designated hitter), Lee Hyung-jong (left fielder), Im Byung-wook (center fielder), Park Chan-hyuk (right fielder), Yeo Dong-wook (third baseman), Kwon Hyuk-bin (shortstop), and Kim Geon-hee (catcher). The starting pitcher was right-hander Ha Young-min.

Doosan took an early lead in the third inning. Leading off, Oh Myung-jin, who had hit three hits the previous day (4th), drove a triple to deep center-left field. Kim Ki-yeon then grounded out to the second baseman, and Kang Seung-ho was thrown out on a catcher's foul fly, seemingly halting the momentum. However, Jung Soobin, stepping up next, hit a ground ball single to the first baseman, allowing Oh Myung-jin to score from third base. It was a regrettable moment for Kiwoom, as pitcher Ha Young-min was slow to cover the base.

Kiwoom, unable to score any runs through the fourth inning, tied the game in the fifth with its first run. Leading off, Yeo Dong-wook reached base on a walk. When Kwon Hyuk-bin came to bat, Yeo stole second base on a catcher's throwing error. Kwon grounded out to the shortstop. The next batter, Kim Geon-hee, also struck out looking, completing two outs. However, Seo Geon-chang hit a two-run single to center field, bringing Yeo Dong-wook home. The score became 1-1.

Doosan starter Choi Seung-yong pitched 6⅔ innings (105 pitches), allowing 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9 batters and giving up 1 unearned run. Despite his strong performance, he left the mound in a tied situation and did not secure the win. Choi set personal single-game records for most strikeouts (9, previously 7 on April 2, 2025, against Kiwoom at Jamsil, and once more) and most pitches thrown (105, previously 100 on June 7, 2025, against Lotte at Jamsil, and twice more).

Kiwoom starter Ha Young-min pitched 5 innings (87 pitches), allowing 6 hits, 4 walks, and 2 strikeouts while giving up 1 earned run. He fulfilled his role but left the mound without a decision.

Doosan broke the tie again in the seventh inning to take the lead. Leading off, Oh Myung-jin reached base with a single to left-center field and was replaced by pinch runner Lee Yu-chan. The next batter, Jo Su-haeng, struck out on three pitches. Kang Seung-hang then hit a single to center field, creating a first-and-third opportunity. Jung Soobin drew a straight walk, loading the bases. Kiwoom then replaced pitcher Park Ji-sung with Kim Sung-jin.

Against Kim Sung-jin, Cameron hit a two-run double to center field, extending the lead to 3-1. Doosan continued to load the bases with a single by Son Ah-seop that dropped in front of the left fielder, but Yang Eui-ji struck out and Park Ji-hoon grounded out to the first baseman, failing to add more runs.

Kiwoom did not give up easily. In the top of the eighth, leading off, Seo Geon-chang hit a ground ball that deflected off the second baseman for a single to center field. After two outs, pinch hitter Choi Ju-hwan hit a two-run double to deep center-left field, making the score 3-2. Then, Im Byung-wook hit a tying two-run single that dropped just inside the right-field line, tying the game at 3-3.

Kiwoom, having tied the game, brought in Won Jong-hyun to pitch in the bottom of the eighth. However, he struggled with control, allowing a straight walk to leading batter Park Chan-ho. A sacrifice bunt by Lee Yu-chan moved the runner to second base with one out. '1.6 billion won FA' Jo Su-haeng then hit a two-run single to center field, restoring Doosan's lead at 4-3. Ultimately, Doosan secured a one-run victory after bringing in Lee Young-ha to pitch in the bottom of the ninth.

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*This content was translated by AI.