'A team that overturned even a 'one-inning, five-run deficit' can surely overcome a '3 wins, 6 losses' disadvantage!' An-hyun-min's grand slam erased even the slightest hint of unease.

*This content was translated by AI.

'KT Wiz, led by An-hyun-min's (23) grand slam, completely defeated their nemesis, the SSG Landers.

'KT defeated SSG 13-2 in a regular-season home game at the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 24th.

'Starting pitcher Ko Young-pyo pitched six innings, allowing eight hits (one home run), no walks, and striking out four, while giving up two earned runs to secure his sixth win (four losses) of the season, as the team's lineup delivered a total of 14 hits, both long and short.

'This was a decisive victory that washed away pre-game concerns. Although the matchup between second-place KT and ninth-place SSG objectively favored KT, SSG had shown weakness against them. Before this game, the only teams with a winning record against KT this year were the Samsung Lions (3 wins, 5 losses) and SSG (3 wins, 6 losses). Conversely, the only team with a winning record against SSG was NC Dinos, with a record of 4 wins, 1 tie, and 3 losses against them.

'Opposing starting pitcher Kim Geon-woo was also uniquely strong against KT. A pitcher with a 5.43 ERA this season transformed into a league ace whenever he faced KT. In three head-to-head matchups this year, he pitched 17 innings, allowing only three earned runs, and secured a win in every game. Moreover, KT had just lost the previous game on the 21st against Suwon KIA Tigers, where the bullpen surrendered nine runs over four innings, resulting in a 5-11 defeat, making this first game against SSG particularly important.

'However, some who had been worried overlooked one thing: KT is a team that has already turned games around with six runs in a single inning this year. On the 20th in Suwon, KT trailed 4-9 against KIA, whose bullpen was fully deployed, until the top of the 9th inning, but scored six runs in the bottom of the 9th to secure the victory. The bottom of the 9th that day, which began with Sam Hilliard's solo home run, was closed out by An-hyun-min's RBI single to tie the game, followed by Hilliard's walk-off hit when he came to bat again.

'This game also instilled confidence in KT players that they could overcome any unfavorable condition. An-hyun-min, who hit the tying run at the time, later reflected, "The games we lost recently weren't fun losses. We lost because we missed opportunities and couldn't score, so I thought if today (the 20th) had ended like that, the team would have been very demoralized."

'He continued, "But the KT baseball I saw while recovering was about scoring runs at this point. I thought in the 9th-inning dugout that they would do it again today, and it was truly amazing that they did." He also confessed, "I also feel some unease playing games after my return. There is no pain, and I am gradually increasing the intensity, but since it was my first injury, I had to limit my own movements."

'However, An-hyun-min gradually erased that unease with a grand slam home run in the bottom of the 7th. Already having drawn a walk with one out and two runners on base in the bottom of the 4th, setting a new KT franchise record for most consecutive games on base at 40, An-hyun-min seized the opportunity with two outs and bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th. Even with a 2 balls, 2 strikes count, he hit a low curveball inside the plate and sent it soaring over the left-field fence.

'The 118.4-meter distance of the home run, which perfectly showcased An-hyun-min's pre-injury strengths, was his second career grand slam and his fourth of the season. Even without An-hyun-min for the past two months, KT had continued to lead the league in batting average. With the healthy An-hyun-min back, the 3-6 losing record against SSG was no longer an obstacle.

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*This content was translated by AI.