*This content was translated by AI.
LG Twins foreign hitter Austin Dean (33) showed great respect for KIA Tigers' Kim Do-young (23), his rival for the home run title.
On the 16th, LG defeated KIA 8-2 in a regular-season away game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.
This match drew attention not only as a showdown between top-tier teams but also as a home run title race between Austin and Kim Do-young. Before the game, both Austin and Kim Do-young were tied for the lead with 19 home runs each, holding a 4-to-5 home run lead over the third-place contenders.
Austin started the scoring. In the top of the 1st inning with two outs and a 1-ball, 2-strike count, he lifted a curveball from Keisho Shirakawa to the upper section of the left-field stands. It was his 20th home run of the season, traveling 125 meters.
Kim Do-young responded in kind, hitting a home run in his third at-bat. With no runners on base and one out in the bottom of the 6th inning, he crushed Lachlan Wells' high fastball, drawing a solo home run arch to left field. He immediately sensed it would clear the fence, and it was a 130-meter long-distance home run that went over the wall.
At that moment, Austin's expression as the first baseman was peculiar. The broadcast captured Austin quietly clapping his hands as Kim Do-young passed by him. It was the best choice to congratulate a rival while also showing consideration for his teammate Wells, who had just been hit by the home run.
Since joining LG in 2023 and stepping onto the Korean KBO League stage, Austin is now challenging to make history as the first LG player ever. LG has never produced a regular-season league MVP or a home run champion in the KBO. While playing at the vast Jamsil Baseball Stadium was a factor, the lack of consistently impactful players also played a significant role.
Austin is considered a candidate to quench LG's thirst. He possesses the power to hit over 20 home runs with a batting average above .300 for four consecutive seasons, along with exceptional clutch ability. With this home run, Austin became the first foreign player in LG history and the fifth in KBO history to record 20 home runs in four consecutive seasons.
Furthermore, as of the end of the game on the 16th, he recorded a batting average of .356 (261 at-bats, 93 hits), 20 home runs, 64 RBIs, 56 runs scored, and 1 stolen base, with an on-base percentage of .428, a slugging percentage of .667, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.095, placing himself at the top of most batting statistics. He is on a 44-home run pace, leading in batting average (3rd), tied for first in home runs, 5th in on-base percentage, 1st in slugging percentage, and 2nd in RBIs.
Kim Do-young is regarded as one of the few players who could threaten Austin's title challenge, alongside Choi Won-jun (29, KT Wiz) and Kang Baek-ho (27, Hanwha Eagles). Even though this rival hit a home run, Austin enjoyed it all the more.
After the game, Austin responded to Kim Do-young's home run by saying, "Actually, I somewhat expected it. A friendly competition with Kim Do-young has had a positive effect on me as well. Since Kim Do-young hit an amazing home run, I wanted to celebrate that part together."
Despite the high level of interest, Austin never forgot that he belongs to LG. In the top of the 7th inning with one out and runners on first and third, Austin delivered a go-ahead two-out RBI single to right field. Other LG batters responded with hits across the lineup, capitalizing on the scoring opportunities, leading to an 8-2 victory over KIA and a three-game winning streak. As a result, starting pitcher Lachlan Wells earned his fourth win of the season (with two losses), pitching six innings, allowing three hits (two home runs), walking two batters, striking out four, and giving up two earned runs.
Austin said, "It was truly a pleasant victory. It was the best game to start the series. My hitting went well, and Wells also held the game together with minimal runs allowed, so we were able to secure a smooth victory." He praised his teammates.
He continued, "Recording 20 home runs for four consecutive seasons is indeed a wonderful achievement, but I am even more satisfied because I could contribute to a team victory rather than just personal records. Although the home run title race is getting attention, I fundamentally want to focus more on team victory and winning the championship."
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*This content was translated by AI.
