'Lee Yong-gyu Drunk Driving Shock': Kiwoom Stages Thrilling 4-3 Comeback Against Hanwha After Trailing 1-3. Manager Says, "Despite the Chaos, Everyone Worked Hard." Seo Geon-chang Gives No Comment

*This content was translated by AI.

Even a major off-field scandal did not break the team's fighting spirit. Kiwoom Heroes halted Hanwha Eagles' three-game winning streak with Seo Geon-chang's thrilling walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th, completing a stunning comeback victory.

On the 12th, in a home game against Hanwha at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome as part of the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League', Kiwoom trailed 1-3 in the bottom of the 9th but mounted a furious rally to score three runs, securing a dramatic 4-3 victory. With this win, Kiwoom snapped its recent three-game losing streak.

Ahead of the game, the atmosphere in the Kiwoom camp had completely soured following the drunk driving scandal involving Lee Yong-gyu, a veteran player and batting coach for the club. In the heavy atmosphere that could have led to a drop in performance, the team was united by the strong pitching of starting pitcher An Woo-jin and the bat of "the returning hero" Seo Geon-chang.

Hanwha took the lead first. In the top of the 4th inning, Hanwha's Kang Baek-ho hit a massive solo home run with a flight distance of 125 meters off Kiwoom starter An Woo-jin, and in the following opportunity, Lee Do-yoon's sacrifice fly extended the lead to 2-0. Kiwoom closed the gap to 1-2 in the bottom of the 6th on a solo home run by Seo Geon-chang over the fence, but Hanwha appeared to seal the game when Moon Hyun-bin hit an RBI double in the top of the 7th, pushing the score to 3-1.

However, Kiwoom's power exploded fiercely in the bottom of the 9th with two outs. Facing Hanwha closer Lee Min-woo, with runners on first and second after Im Byung-wook's hit and Kim Geon-hee's walk, pinch-hitter Yeo Dong-wook delivered a two-run single to left field, cutting the deficit to 2-3.

In the next opportunity with two outs and runners on first and second, Seo Geon-chang, stepping into the batter's box, hit a dramatic two-run walk-off single off Lee Min-woo, driving in both runners to complete the stunning 4-3 comeback. Starting pitcher An Woo-jin recorded his first quality start since returning, allowing two runs over six innings, laying the foundation for the comeback win.

After the game, Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin praised the mound, saying, "An Woo-jin recorded his first quality start since returning and fulfilled his role as starter, while the bullpen held the line without allowing major runs, creating the foundation for the comeback."

He continued, "Seo Geon-chang delivered decisive performances at crucial moments, including a solo home run in the 6th to close the gap and the walk-off single in the 9th. Although the atmosphere may have been somewhat chaotic, the players remained focused on the game until the end. Everyone worked hard, and we will prepare well for tomorrow's game as well," he shared his thoughts on the victory.

Meanwhile, Seo Geon-chang, who saved the team from crisis with a solo home run in the 6th and the walk-off single in the 9th, agreed to an interview with reporters after the game but remained extremely cautious when asked about the recent drunk driving scandal involving Lee Yong-gyu within the team, stating, "I will make no comment."

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*This content was translated by AI.