KBO's third-ever 2,900-win milestone, made even more special by KIA's desperate pursuit! The manager also expressed gratitude: "It was a game where our ace took the mound... victory was absolutely necessary." [Gwangju Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Their determination overcame a fastball clocked at a top speed of 161 km/h. The KIA Tigers secured a dramatic walk-off win, accomplishing the third such feat in KBO history.

On the 17th, KIA defeated the LG Twins 5-4 in a regular-season home game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, with a total attendance of 15,628 spectators in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

With this win, KIA escaped a two-game losing streak, improving to 35 wins, 1 tie, and 32 losses, maintaining fourth place in the league. Additionally, this victory brought the team's all-time total to 2,900 wins, the third such record in KBO League history. LG, failing to extend their winning streak to four games, stood at 42 wins and 25 losses, allowing KT Wiz (40 wins, 1 tie, 25 losses) to close the gap to just one game in second place.

The turning point came in the bottom of the eighth inning when both teams were tied 2-2. The opposing pitcher was Yassel Lios, who had kept KIA scoreless in two consecutive games with his 161 km/h fastball. However, on this day, the will of the KIA batters proved stronger.

Leadoff hitter Kim Ho-ryeong opened the scoring with a double to left-center field. Kim Do-young followed with a single to left field, driving in one run to take a 3-2 lead. Na Sung-beom then walked a 158 km/h fastball on the second pitch and launched it over the right-center field fence. This 130-meter home run, his 13th of the season, sealed the victory for KIA.

The game remained tense until the end. Closer Sung Young-tak, who entered in the ninth inning, issued a walk to Moon Sung-ju and allowed a double to left-center field by Cheon Seong-ho, putting him in a no-out, second-and-third base crisis. Park Dong-won and Shin Min-jae each grounded into fielder's choice, bringing two runners home and narrowing the deficit to 4-5. However, Sung Young-tak retired Park Hae-min on a swinging strikeout, securing his 11th save of the season.

This was possible thanks to the strong performance of starting pitcher Adam Oller, who pitched six innings, allowing four hits (one home run), three walks (two walks, one hit-by-pitch), striking out six batters, and giving up only one run. Kwak Do-gyu, in the top of the eighth inning with one out and a runner on first, induced a double play from Oh Ji-hwan, preventing any further scoring and laying the foundation for the comeback.

After the game, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho stated, "It was a game where our ace took the mound, so victory was absolutely necessary. The batters in the bottom of the eighth inning showed great focus, which allowed us to secure the win."

He added, "Although Oller did not earn the win, he fulfilled his role as a starting pitcher by limiting runs over six innings. Jo Sang-woo also showed stability today, and Kwak Do-gyu prevented any further scoring in a critical situation, creating another opportunity for us."

In the lineup, fourth hitter Na Sung-beom led the comeback with two hits (two home runs), three RBIs, and two runs scored in four at-bats. Na Sung-beom hitting two home runs in a single game came 449 days after his last such performance against the Gwangju Kiwoom Heroes on March 25, 2025.

Other players included Han Jun-su, who went 2-for-3 with one walk and one run scored, reaching base three times. Kim Ho-ryeong went 2-for-4, and Kim Do-young went 1-for-3 with one RBI, one walk, and one run scored, achieving a multi-hit game.

Manager Lee Beom-ho praised the lineup, saying, "Na Sung-beom led the team's offense effectively with two home runs, including a crucial two-run homer. Kim Do-young's game-winning hit also contributed to the victory. Kim Ho-ryeong's double to open the bottom of the eighth inning ultimately led to our win." He further added, "All players who participated in the game worked hard. I would like to thank the fans who supported us. We will play a good game tomorrow as well."

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*This content was translated by AI.