'Hotter than the heatwave' KT explodes for seven runs in an inning for two straight days! Kim Hyun-soo and Hilliard hit consecutive two-run homers → Hanwha's mound collapses [Suwon]

*This content was translated by AI.

What's hotter than the heatwave is KT Wiz's top-ranked offense. For two consecutive days, KT has generated massive seven-run innings, completely dismantling Hanwha Eagles' pitching staff.

On the 2nd, at Suwon KT Wiz Park during their home game against Hanwha in the regular season of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League, KT unleashed seven hits including two home runs in the sixth inning alone, producing a massive seven-run inning.

KT's lineup that day was: Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Ahn Hyeon-min (designated hitter), Sam Hilliard (center fielder), Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Jang Jun-won (shortstop). Starting pitcher was Ko Young-pyo.

Hanwha countered with this lineup: Lee Won-seok (center fielder), Yonatan Peraza (right fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (left fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Noh Si-hwan (third baseman), Chae Eun-seong (first baseman), Heo In-seo (catcher), Lee Do-yoon (second baseman), and Sim Woo-jun (shortstop). Starting pitcher was Owen White.

Hanwha's White had effectively held KT to four hits and one run through six innings. Even in the sixth, he allowed a ground single by Kim Sang-su but retired Kim Min-hyuk on a left-field fly ball and struck out Heo Kyung-min, appearing poised to achieve a quality start (six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs).

However, the lower-order duo of Han Seung-taek and Jang Jun-won, who had produced big innings with consecutive sacrifice hits the previous day (the 1st), showed relentless form again for two straight days. With back-to-back ground singles by Han and Jang, they built a 2-0 lead and forced White off the mound.

KT's lineup was even more ruthless against the new pitcher, Jo Dong-wook. Choi Won-jun capitalized on an inside pitch mistake with a one-run single to left field, shifting momentum. Kim Hyun-soo then latched onto a slow slider outside the zone and launched it over the center-field fence. The 122.6-meter blast was his eighth home run of the season. With this homer, Kim Hyun-soo became only the fourth player in KBO history to reach 4,000 career hits.

Ultimately, Hanwha's mound changed to Kim Jong-su, but the outcome remained unchanged. Ahn Hyeon-min reached on a hit to left-center after an eight-pitch at-bat, and Hilliard attacked the first pitch mistake by sending it over the right-field fence. The 122.6-meter shot was his 29th home run of the season. With this homer, Hilliard closed the gap to four behind Kim Do-young (23, KIA Tigers) for the home run lead and two ahead of Austin Dean (33, LG Twins) in second place.

The long sixth inning finally ended when Kim Min-hyuk struck out looking. The day before, KT had also scored seven runs without a home run in the bottom of the third by rallying with multiple hits, securing a 7-4 victory. With back-to-back massive innings, KT moved closer to a six-game winning streak.

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*This content was translated by AI.