'Is this real?' KIA's predictions turned upside down! Surpassing LG, they finally claimed 3rd place... A shocking 6-game losing streak for Hanwha: '8th inning 3 runs allowed - 9th inning 3 runs allowed' [Daejeon On-site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers swept all three midweek games against Hanwha Eagles, extending their winning streak to five consecutive victories.

On the 20th, KIA secured a thrilling comeback victory with a score of 10-6 in an away game against Hanwha at Daejeon Hanwha Life Bolt Park as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

With this win, KIA surged to five consecutive victories, finishing with 59 wins, 48 losses, and 2 ties. On the same day, LG Twins lost to KT Wiz, allowing KIA to overtake them without a difference in games played (KIA winning percentage 0.5514, LG winning percentage 0.5504) to move into 3rd place. Meanwhile, Hanwha fell into a six-game losing streak, recording 48 wins, 56 losses, and 3 ties.

KIA starting pitcher Hwang Dong-ha went 5 innings (85 pitches total), allowing 4 hits, issuing 3 walks, striking out 4 batters, and giving up 2 earned runs before leaving the mound without a decision. He was followed by Lee Tae-yang (1 inning), Kim Beom-su (0 innings, 2 runs allowed), Choi Ji-min (1 inning, 2 runs allowed), Jung Hae-young (1 inning), and Sung Young-tak (1 inning) in succession. In the lineup that recorded a total of 12 hits, Kim Do-young went 3-for-3 with 4 runs scored, while Castro and Na Sung-beom both delivered multi-hit performances.

Hanwha starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin pitched 6 innings (86 pitches total), allowing 6 hits, issuing 1 hit-by-pitch, striking out 5 batters, and giving up 4 earned runs, also finishing the game without a decision. He was followed by Lee Sang-gyu (1 inning), Jung Woo-ju (2/3 inning, 3 runs allowed), Hwang Jun-seo (2/3 inning, 2 runs allowed), and Kim Seo-hyun (2/3 inning, 1 run allowed) in succession. In the lineup that recorded a total of 11 hits, Han Ji-yoon went 3-for-3, while Kim Tae-yeon, Hwang Young-mok, and Noh Si-hwan each recorded multi-hit performances.

Initially, KIA's outlook for the three-game midweek series against Hanwha was not particularly bright. There was a reason: they were scheduled to face Hanwha's ace pitchers Wang Yencheng, Owen White, and Ryu Hyun-jin in succession. However, KIA managed to sweep all three games against Hanwha.

On this day, Hanwha set their starting lineup as follows: Kim Tae-yeon (right fielder), Choi In-ho (center fielder), Han Ji-yoon (left fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Noh Si-hwan (third baseman), Chae Eun-seong (first baseman), Park Jung-hyun (shortstop), Choi Jae-hoon (catcher), and Hwang Young-mok (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Ryu Hyun-jin.

They made significant changes to the lineup compared to the previous two days, swapping out 5 of the 9th players. Moon Hyun-bin, Peraza, Heo In-seo, Sim Woo-jun, and Lee Do-yoon were removed, while Han Ji-yoon, Kim Tae-yeon, Choi Jae-hoon, Park Jung-hyun, and Hwang Young-mok were inserted into the starting lineup.

Before today's game, Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon explained, "Some players are tired, and some are not in great condition. Since there have been players who worked hard from behind the scenes, we decided to adjust the batting order once today."

In response, KIA set their starting lineup as follows: Park Jae-hyun (left fielder), Kim Seon-bin (second baseman), Kim Do-young (designated hitter), Castro (first baseman), Na Sung-beom (right fielder), Yoon Do-hyun (third baseman), Han Jun-su (catcher), Jung Hyun-chang (shortstop), and Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder). The starting pitcher was Hwang Dong-ha. Compared to the previous day, many regular players returned to the lineup.

Before the game, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho explained, "Kim Do-young is playing as a designated hitter because he mentioned his hip felt a bit off after fielding yesterday, and there was also an incident where his uniform tore while entering home plate. This is also for psychological stability, and such shocks can sometimes affect the next day more than the previous one."

Regarding Lee Ui-ri, who has been making two consecutive starts with a day of rest in between, he emphasized, "Lee Ui-ri will rest today. I believe the number of appearances is important. Pitching on consecutive days certainly places a physical burden. There are still many games left ahead. We shouldn't push too hard; other teammates need to take the field today as well. Some pitchers have already rested for about 5 to 6 days. I thought they might be fresh, so we decided to boldly use them again today."

Hanwha took an early lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning. After the first two batters were retired via strikeout, Choi Jae-hoon reached base with a single that dropped just inside the left-field line. Following him, Hwang Young-mok launched a two-run home run over the center-left field wall. This was Hwang Young-mok's first home run of the season.

KIA then countered in the top of the 4th inning by targeting Ryu Hyun-jin and scoring three runs to take the lead. With no outs and bases loaded following a single by leadoff batter Park Jae-hyun, a bunt single by Kim Seon-bin toward third base, and a single by Kim Do-young toward left field, Ryu Hyun-jin hit Castro with a pitch, allowing runner Park Jae-hyun from third to score. Next, Na Sung-beom followed with a two-run single to right field, completing the 3-2 comeback.

KIA extended their lead by one run in the top of the 6th inning. Leadoff batter Kim Do-young hit a double to center-left field, and subsequent batter Castro drove him home with a sacrifice fly to center-right field. The score became 4-2.

Hanwha did not give up easily. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Hanwha replaced pitcher Lee Tae-yang with Kim Beom-su. The leadoff batter was Hwang Young-mok, who had just hit a home run. Hwang Young-mok then singled to right field, opening the scoring again. Next, Kim Tae-yeon targeted Kim Beom-su's first pitch and launched a two-run home run over the left-field wall, tying the game. Hanwha Life Bolt Park became a cauldron of excitement. The score was now 4-4.

This was not the end. In the continued bottom of the 7th inning attack, KIA replaced pitcher Kim Beom-su with Choi Ji-min. Sim Woo-jun hit a ground ball to the shortstop against Choi Ji-min, but Jung Hyun-chang failed to field it cleanly, allowing him to reach base. It was an error by Jung Hyun-chang. Next, Han Ji-yoon launched a go-ahead two-run home run over the right-field wall. The score became 6-4.

With consecutive two-run home runs, it seemed as though Hanwha had completely taken control of the momentum. However, another twist was waiting. In the top of the 8th inning, KIA's offense faced Hanwha reliever Lee Sang-gyu, who was replaced by Jung Woo-ju. Jung Woo-ju issued a walk to leadoff batter Kim Do-young after a full count on the sixth pitch. Next, Castro hit a single that dropped just inside the right-field line, creating a bases-empty opportunity with runners at first and third. Then, Na Sung-beom scored on a sacrifice fly to center field. The score narrowed to 6-5, one run apart.

Subsequent batter Yoon Do-hyun struck out swinging. Next, Kim Tae-gun faced Jung Woo-ju in a full-count battle and connected with a 149 km/h fastball down the middle on the seventh pitch, launching a go-ahead two-run home run over the left-field wall. This was the moment KIA took a 7-6 lead, once again overturning the game by one run.

KIA added three more runs in the top of the 9th inning, effectively sealing the victory. Kim Ho-ryeong reached base on an error; right fielder Kim Tae-yeon failed to catch a fly ball. Following one out, Ha Ju-seok hit a sacrifice single to left field. At this point, Hwang Jun-seo was replaced by Kim Seo-hyun on the mound. Against Kim Seo-hyun, Kim Do-young hit a double to center-left field, and when Castro grounded out to first base, runner Ha Ju-seok from third scored. The official record was a fielder's choice. With bases loaded following Na Sung-beom's single, after two outs, Kim Tae-gun was hit by a pitch, allowing runner Kim Do-young from third to score. The score had now widened to 10-6. Ultimately, KIA secured their fifth consecutive victory after bringing in Sung Young-tak in the 9th inning.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.