'Winning streak continues → Regains top spot after 148 days' Samsung's commanding coach: Who was the key figure in dominating defending champion LG in both pitching and hitting? [Daegu on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The first match of the final mid-season showdown between Samsung Lions and LG Twins, often dubbed a preview of the Korean Series (KS), ended anticlimactically.

On the 7th, Samsung defeated LG 9-2 in a regular-season home game at Daegu Samsung Lions Park as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

With this win, Samsung extended its winning streak to five games, reaching 50 wins, 2 draws, and 31 losses (winning percentage 0.617), becoming the second team in the league to achieve 50 victories after LG. This also allowed Samsung to close the gap with LG (51 wins, 32 losses; winning percentage 0.614) and claim first place based on a higher winning percentage. It marks their return to the top spot for the first time in 148 days since defeating Doosan Bears at Daegu on May 29.

The game was dominated by Samsung in both pitching and hitting. In a matchup of foreign ace pitchers, Samsung's Ariel Hurtado pitched six innings, allowing five hits (one home run), four walks/hit-by-pitches (three walks, one hit-by-pitch), striking out four batters, and surrendering only two earned runs to secure his fifth win of the season (with one loss). Prior to this game, LG's Anders Tolhurst had been strong against Samsung with three wins and one loss in four games, posting a 3.00 ERA. However, he struggled today, pitching five innings while allowing six hits, four walks/hit-by-pitches (three walks, one hit-by-pitch), striking out three batters, and giving up four runs (three earned).

Samsung also outperformed LG in batting. While the defending champion LG managed only scattered eight hits, Samsung unleashed a barrage of 15 hits through both long and short hits.

Amid widespread strong performances, who was named the standout player? After the game, Samsung manager Park Jin-man praised first: "Ariel Hurtado wasn't in peak condition. He showed some early struggles but managed to hold the line until the sixth inning with just two runs allowed. That's what an ace should do."

The core lineup also delivered. Choi Hyung-woo went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Lewin Diaz hit 2-for-4 (including one home run), drew a walk, recorded two RBIs and scored twice, and Koo Ja-wook went 3-for-4 with one RBI, one walk, and two runs scored, fulfilling their roles in the cleanup order. Additionally, Kim Ji-chan contributed 2-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base, while Shim Jae-hoon went 2-for-4.

Manager Park added, "Although we fell behind by two runs initially, we quickly caught up. Koo Ja-wook and Choi Hyung-woo's hits tied the game. Ryu Ji-hyuk showed great hustle with a ground ball single." He continued, "Diaz's home run was also crucial. Overall, our core hitters delivered exactly what was needed in this game."

Samsung's bullpen, which ranked first in ERA during the first half, demonstrated its strength once again. While LG's relief pitchers failed to hold the line for three innings and surrendered five runs, Samsung's Kim Tae-hoon, Choi Ji-kwang, and Lee Seung-hyun each pitched one inning without allowing any runs. Manager Park concluded, "Ultimately, our bullpen did an excellent job keeping the scoreless."

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*This content was translated by AI.