'Reclaiming 2nd Place Is Out of the Question!' KT, Led by Kim Hyun-soo's Three Hits, Secures 5-2 Victory at Home, Extends Lead Over 2nd Place to 1.5 Games [Suwon Field Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz dominated Samsung Lions at home, firmly defending their 2nd place position.

KT secured a 5-2 victory in their home game against Samsung at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 9th as part of the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.' They turned the game around after trailing 0-1 in the third inning.

With this win, 2nd-place KT extended their lead over 3rd-place Samsung from 0.5 games to 1.5 games, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Samsung suffered their second consecutive loss and failed to reclaim 2nd place.

On this day, KT set their starting lineup as follows: Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (designated hitter), Kim Min-hyeok (left fielder), Hilliard (center fielder), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Kim Sang-soo (second baseman), Ryu Hyun-in (first baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Kwon Dong-jin (shortstop). Ace Ko Young-pyo took the mound as the starting pitcher.

In response, Samsung constructed their batting order with Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Kim Sung-yoon (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Diaz (first baseman), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Jeon Byeong-woo (third baseman), Kang Min-ho (catcher), and Yang Woo-hyun (shortstop) to attack KT's starter Ko Young-pyo. Samsung's starter was Choi Won-tae.

Samsung took the early lead. In the top of the first inning with one out, Kim Sung-yoon hit a single to right field. In the following at-bat, Koo Ja-wook successfully stole second base. With one out and runners on first and second, Koo Ja-wook hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring a run to make it 1-0, giving Samsung the early lead.

However, Samsung's lead did not last long. KT displayed fierce concentration in the bottom of the third inning to take the lead. Leadoff batter Kwon Dong-jin worked a full seven-pitch at-bat before hitting a single to right field, setting the stage for the comeback. Choi Won-jun followed with another single to right field, creating a no-out, runners-on-first-and-second opportunity. Kim Hyun-soo then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Kwon Dong-jin home from second base to tie the game at 1-1.

KT's offense did not stop. Kim Min-hyeok reached base on a hit-by-pitch, loading the bases. Hilliard then drew a bases-loaded walk after a full seven-pitch at-bat to make it 2-1. Next, Heo Kyung-min hit a ground ball to the shortstop for a double play with the bases loaded, but Kim Hyun-soo scored from third base in the process, extending the lead to 3-1.

KT's offense continued into the later innings. In the bottom of the seventh with two outs, Choi Won-jun drew a walk to create another opportunity. Samsung replaced their pitcher Choi Won-tae with Miyaji to make a defensive adjustment. However, Kim Hyun-soo hit a powerful double to left-center field, advancing to second and third with two outs. Kim Min-hyeok then hit Miyaji's fourth pitch for a sacrifice fly to center field, extending the lead to 5-1.

Samsung did not give up easily. In the top of the eighth, pinch-hitter Kim Heon-gon struck out, but Kim Ji-chan and Kim Sung-yoon drew consecutive walks to create a one-out, runners-on-first-and-second opportunity. After Koo Ja-wook flew out to the outfield, with two outs and runners on first and third, fourth batter Choi Hyung-woo hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Kim Ji-chan home from third base.

Samsung mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 2-5, but KT brought in closer Park Young-hyun in the top of the ninth. Despite facing a one-out, runners-on-first-and-second situation, KT held off additional runs, breaking Samsung's comeback attempt and securing the victory.

KT starter Ko Young-pyo delivered a strong performance, pitching six innings, allowing four hits, striking out six, and giving up one run, earning his fourth win of the season. In the lineup, Kim Hyun-soo went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored, while Kim Min-hyeok added offensive firepower with 1-for-3 and two RBIs. Samsung starter Choi Won-tae pitched 6⅔ innings, allowing six hits, four walks, striking out four, and giving up four runs, but unfortunately became the losing pitcher. This marked Choi Won-tae's third loss of the season (with two wins).

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*This content was translated by AI.