'Overtaking Samsung' to reclaim the top spot after 70 days! The 34-yearage pre-FA bat delivered at the end... A blast of three-run, two-out bases-loaded double by a former MLB player swept all three runs.

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz has moved to first place, overtaking Samsung Lions. At the center of it all was super backup Oh Yun-seok (34).

On the 1st, Oh Yun-seok started at seventh in the batting order and as first baseman in the home game against Hanwha Eagles in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season at Suwon KT Wiz Park, leading KT to a 7-4 victory.

The turning point came in the bottom of the third inning when KT was trailing 0-1. With one out and runners on first and third against Bruce Zimmermann, Ahn Hyun-min hit a sacrifice two-run double down the left-field line to tie the game at 1-1.

With Sam Hilliard drawing a walk to load the bases and Kim Sang-soo following with a sacrifice single to right field for a run, KT took a 2-1 lead. Just when another hit was needed, Oh Yun-seok's bat ignited.

Oh Yun-seok let go of a high outside changeup before powerfully connecting with the second pitch, a slider that moved toward the center. The ball flew all the way down the left-field line, too far for even the right fielder to reach, allowing all runners to score and resulting in a three-run, two-out bases-loaded double.

Following that, Han Seung-taek and Jang Jun-won also attacked the first pitch each, hitting sacrifice singles to drive in one run apiece, producing a seven-run big inning. The bullpen and bench held on to protect the lead until the end, propelling KT to five consecutive victories.

With this win, KT improved to 58 wins, 2 draws, and 36 losses (winning percentage .617), erasing the gap with Samsung Lions (59 wins, 2 draws, 36 losses; winning percentage .615), whose game was canceled due to extreme heat earlier that day. KT now sits in first place by winning percentage — a feat not achieved since May 23, exactly 70 days ago.

After the game, Oh Yun-seok smiled broadly and said, "It was an important moment, and I felt great being able to deliver when we needed runs. The team's atmosphere is good right now, and all players are working hard to finish the season at a high level. Today (the 1st), I feel like I was able to help, so I'm happy."

He continued, "As a professional, you must strive for the best possible outcome in any situation when an opportunity arises. Focusing intensely yesterday (July 31) and today led to these good results."

Oh Yun-seok began his professional career with Lotte Giants as a developmental player in 2014 and is now entering his 13th season. He joined KT in 2021, gradually building his career, and tasted the joy of winning the Korean Series in his first year with the team.

Since then, he has served as an all-around infield backup, delivering golden performances whenever starters rested, and earned his first FA eligibility after this season. Oh Yun-seok stated, "This year is personally significant for me. It may have felt distant, but I believe it's the result of consistent daily effort. Just earning this qualification makes me grateful. I'll aim to spend the rest of the year happily and healthily."

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*This content was translated by AI.