*This content was translated by AI.
The KIA Tigers continued their spirited run with their first three-game winning streak in the second half, securing a dramatic victory thanks to an explosive lineup.
On the 19th, at Incheon SSG Landers Field, KIA defeated SSG Landers in a thrilling comeback win by a score of 9-5 in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League away game.
With three consecutive wins, fourth-place KIA improved to 48 wins, 40 losses, and 2 ties, narrowing the gap with third-place LG Twins, who dropped to third that day, by 3.5 games. Meanwhile, SSG fell into a three-game losing streak, remaining in ninth place with 32 wins, 55 losses, and 3 ties.
KIA fielded its starting lineup as follows: Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Herald Castro (designated hitter), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Na Sung-beom (right fielder), Han Jun-soo (catcher), Kim Sun-bin (second baseman), Park Sang-jun (first baseman), Kim Kyu-sung (shortstop), and Kim Min-gyu (left fielder). Starting pitcher was Yang Hyeon-jong.
SSG lined up its starters as: Jeong Jun-jae (second baseman), Park Sung-han (shortstop), Go Myeong-jun (first baseman), Ryu Hyo-seung (designated hitter), Jeon Ui-san (first baseman), Lee Ji-young (catcher), Chae Hyun-woo (left fielder), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), and Im Geun-woo (right fielder). Kim Geon-woo started on the mound.
KIA took an early lead in the first inning when Castro hit a double, followed by consecutive walks from Na Sung-beom and Han Jun-soo with two outs to load the bases. Kim Sun-bin then scored on a hit-by-pitch.
SSG extended its lead in the third inning. Castro doubled again as the leadoff batter, and Kim Do-young singled through the right side. Next, Na Sung-beom connected on a 121 mph curveball thrown on the first pitch, sending the ball over the center-field fence for a three-run home run covering 125 meters. This was Na's 19th home run of the season.
After allowing another double to Han Jun-soo, pitcher Kim Geon-woo retired the next three batters on weak contact and caught his breath.
KIA then easily closed out the fourth and fifth innings with just three batters each before handing over to the bullpen. Jung Hae-young entered in relief after Yang Hyeon-jong, who had pitched five innings allowing only one run, left the game under winning conditions. However, SSG staged a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the sixth.
After Jeon Ui-san reached on a right-side single with two outs, Lee Ji-young followed with a left-field single to load the bases. SSG then brought in Kim Jae-hwan as a pinch hitter to replace Chae Hyun-woo. Kim connected on a 148 mph fastball, sending the ball over the left-field fence for his 14th home run of the season, tying the game at 4-4. This was also his seventh career pinch-hit home run.
Choi Ji-hoon then added to the surge. With a 3-1 count, he smashed a 145 mph fastball over the right-field fence for an arching shot. His 11th home run of the season not only gave SSG the lead but also marked his 500th career run scored, the 127th such achievement in KBO history.
However, the lead did not last long. In the top of the seventh, reliever Lee Ro-un walked leadoff batter Kim Ho-ryeong and allowed a stolen base. With one out, he gave up a deep left-field double to Kim Do-young, tying the game again.
In the bottom of the seventh with two outs and runners on first and second, SSG failed to capitalize after Lee Ji-young struck out. In the top of the eighth, KIA faced another crisis. With Kim Min-gyu at bat, manager pulled Park Jae-hyun, who had sat out two consecutive games due to hamstring discomfort, as a pinch hitter. SSG responded by bringing in Lee Geon-wook to prevent a bases-loaded situation. Lee Geon-wook's first pitch was a forkball, which Kim Min-gyu hit toward first baseman Jeon Ui-san. Jeon fielded the ball cleanly and threw home, then relayed to first base for a double play.
But the hero from the previous day, Kim Ho-ryeong, struck again. After Lee Geon-wook walked the batter on three balls and worked the count full, his sixth pitch—a forkball—found the middle of the plate. Kim Ho-ryeong's hit split the gap between second and shortstop for a two-run go-ahead single.
It wasn't over yet. Kim Ho-ryeong stole second base, then advanced to third on Lee Geon-wook's wild pitch. Castro then delivered a walk-off two-run home run (his seventh of the season) after working a full count.
Kwak Do-gyu in the bottom of the eighth and Jo Sang-woo in the bottom of the ninth pitched scoreless innings, securing KIA's satisfying three-game winning streak.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
