"The entire team was furious," heard directly from the protagonist of KIA's big inning! How the Tigers erased the nightmare of a shocking 4-9 to 10-9 loss [Suwon]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Gyu-seong (29), who signaled the start of KIA's dramatic comeback, conveyed the team's mood following the shocking defeat the previous day (20th).

On the 21st, KIA defeated KT Wiz 11-5 in a regular-season away game at Suwon KT Wiz Park in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League. With this win, KIA secured a winning series with 2 wins and 1 loss, maintaining 4th place with 38 wins, 1 tie, and 33 losses. By achieving winning series against both 1st-place LG Twins and 2nd-place KT this week, the Tigers concluded the dreaded six-game series with 4 wins and 2 losses.

It was a game where KIA's batting lineup stood out for maintaining focus without losing tension until the end. KIA trailed 2-5 to KT through the 6th inning but overturned the game with 5 runs in the 7th and 4 runs in the 8th. The catalyst was Kim Gyu-seong. In his 11th professional season, Kim has fully utilized his utility capabilities to fill the void left by Park Chan-ho (31, Doosan Bears).

On this day, with KIA trailing 2-5 in the top of the 7th, leadoff hitters Han Jun-su and Byun Woo-hyeok reached base with consecutive singles to left field, creating a no-out, 1st-and-3rd base opportunity. Manager Lee Beom-ho then brought in Kim Gyu-seong as a pinch hitter instead of Park Min. With Han Jun-su, the runner on 3rd, having a slow foot, the team needed to send him as far as possible. Kim Gyu-seong targeted a forkball on the fourth pitch against Son Dong-hyun, who was thoroughly attacking the low outside corner to induce a ground ball. The ball flew near the center-field wall, resulting in a sacrifice fly for 1 RBI, and Han Jun-su easily crossed home plate. The pinch runner Kim Min-gyu, who successfully stole 2nd base, reached 3rd base.

From that moment, KIA's batting lineup exploded. After Kim Ho-ryeong hit a sacrifice fly to center field for 1 RBI to cut the deficit, Park Jae-hyun and Kim Do-young hit consecutive singles to create another 1st-and-3rd base opportunity. Na Sung-beom drew a walk, Castro hit a two-run double to center field, and Kim Sun-bin hit a one-run single to right field, turning the game around 7-5.

That was not the end. KIA produced a big inning with 4 runs in the 8th as well. Kim Gyu-seong opened the door once again in the top of the 8th with a one-run single to center field with no outs and a runner on 3rd, becoming the protagonist once more.

After the game, Kim Gyu-seong met with StarNews and said, "I prepared to pinch hit from the moment we entered the 7th. I thought that if we could score even one run, whether through a sacrifice fly or any other way, the momentum could shift to our side. Also, since the runner on 3rd was (Han) Jun-su, I thought I had to hit it as far as possible, so I stepped into the batter's box." He reflected on the top of the 7th.

He continued, "There were also issues from yesterday, so I entered with great focus. Fortunately, the ball went far, and (Kim) Min-gyu not only stole a base but also reached 3rd base on my hit, allowing the momentum to shift. I think bringing in that momentum led to the victory," he smiled.

What was impressive about the KIA team was that even in the top of the 9th, when the game was already decided at 11-5, the players remained sharp. In other situations, this would have been a comfortable lead, but the batters' swings remained fierce. Lower-order hitters Han Jun-su and Jung Hyun-chang hit consecutive singles, and Kim Ho-ryeong also hit a single, depleting KT's battery.

Their focused demeanor seemed to reflect an inability to forget the nightmare of the previous day (20th). The previous day, KIA experienced a shocking defeat, leading 9-4 but surrendering 6 runs in the bottom of the 9th to lose the game. The impact was even greater because closer Sung Young-tak, who had been nearly impenetrable with an ERA of 1.78 up to that point, gave up 5 runs without retiring a single batter.

Kim Gyu-seong said, "We already held a team meeting today (21st). There were words of encouragement like 'let's do well' and 'it's okay,' but our team was very furious. That's why we were able to show good performance and win today. Whether seniors or juniors, everyone was truly furious after yesterday's game," conveying the team's resolve.

Thus, the Tigers, regardless of the top or bottom of the lineup, hammered KT's mound with a total of 20 hits, both long and short. In addition to Kim Gyu-seong, Park Jae-hyun went 3-for-5 with 2 runs, Na Sung-beom went 3-for-4 with 1 walk, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs, Harold Castro went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs, Kim Sun-bin went 2-for-5 with 1 RBI, Han Jun-su went 3-for-5 with 1 RBI and 1 run, Byun Woo-hyeok went 2-for-3 with 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 1 run, and Jung Hyun-chang went 2-for-2 with 1 run.

After the game, KIA Manager Lee Beom-ho said, "It was a game where the batters' focus stood out. Castro hit a go-ahead RBI double in the top of the 7th with two outs and bases loaded, seizing the momentum. He also recorded a go-ahead RBI, playing a key role. Byun Woo-hyeok also added power to the lineup with a multi-hit performance including a home run, and Na Sung-beom and Kim Sun-bin performed well in the middle of the lineup."

He continued, "Han Jun-su and Park Jae-hyun also hit three hits each, creating good opportunities. All batters who played performed well. On the mound, Shirakawa took responsibility for 4 innings, laying the foundation for an even game. Kwak Do-gyu also cleanly closed out 1 inning today. As the games progress, he is showing more stability," he added.

The full house of 18,700 spectators at Suwon KT Wiz Park for two consecutive days enjoyed baseball to the fullest, appreciating the KIA players who gave their all until the end. Kim Gyu-seong said, "I'm playing in many games this year, and I think it's because of my strength in being able to play various positions. Since I play in many games, I try to prepare and focus more for the team." He added with a broad smile, "That's why baseball seems to be a sport that is both difficult and fun. When things go well, it's happier than that, but when they don't, it's the opposite. That's why it's difficult."

Manager Lee Beom-ho also conveyed his sincerity, saying, "Despite the atmosphere potentially sinking after yesterday's comeback loss, all players came together to create a victory. The players worked very hard this week, and I am also grateful to the fans who continue to support us."

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*This content was translated by AI.