'Is this real?' KIA's predictions were completely overturned! Surpassing LG, they finally claimed 3rd place... A shocking 6-game losing streak for Hanwha with '3 runs in the 8th, 3 runs in the 9th' [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, dropping to 8th in the standings.

'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 managed 12 hits, Kim Do-young recorded 3 hits and 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, hitting one batter, 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 managed 11 hits, Han Ji-yoon recorded 3 hits, while Kim Tae-yeon, Hwang Young-mok, and Noh Si-hwan each recorded multi-hit performances.

'Originally, 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.

'For today's game, 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 regarding Kim Do-young's move to designated hitter: "Kim Do-young mentioned that his hip felt a bit off after playing defense yesterday, and there was also an issue with his uniform tearing while entering home plate. This is also for psychological stability, as such shocks can sometimes affect performance the next day more than the previous one."

'Regarding Lee Ui-ri, who has been making two consecutive starts every other day recently: "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 should not overexert ourselves, and other teammates need to take their turns as well. Some pitchers have already rested for 5–6 days. I thought they might be refreshed, so today we decided to boldly use him once again."

'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. Hwang Young-mok then followed with a two-run home run over the center-left field fence. This was Hwang Young-mok's first home run of the season.

'KIA responded in the top of the 4th inning by attacking Ryu Hyun-jin and scoring three runs to take the lead. After Park Jae-hyun's ground ball single to left field, Kim Seon-bin's sacrifice bunt to third base, and Kim Do-young's single to left field created a bases-loaded, no-out situation. Ryu Hyun-jin then hit Castro with a pitch, allowing runner Park Jae-hyun to score from third base. Next, Na Sung-beom followed with a two-run single to left field, completing the 3-2 comeback.

'KIA extended their lead by one run in the top of the 6th inning. After Kim Do-young hit a double to center-left field, Castro followed with a sacrifice fly to center-left field, scoring Kim Do-young at home plate. 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 left field, opening the scoring again. Next, Kim Tae-yeon capitalized on Kim Beom-su's first pitch, hitting a two-run home run over the left-field fence that tied 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 shortstop against Choi Ji-min, but Jung Hyun-chang failed to field it cleanly, allowing the runner to reach base. It was an error by Jung Hyun-chang. Next, Han Ji-yoon hit a go-ahead two-run home run over the right-field fence. The score became 6-4.

'With consecutive two-run home runs, it seemed as though Hanwha had completely taken control of the game. However, another twist was waiting. In the top of the 8th inning, KIA's offense faced Hanwha reliever Jung Woo-ju after Lee Sang-gyu was replaced. Jung Woo-ju issued a walk to leadoff batter Kim Do-young after a full count on the sixth pitch. Castro then hit a single that dropped just inside the right-field line, creating a bases-loaded, no-out opportunity. Na Sung-beom followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring one run. The score was now 6-5, narrowing the gap by one run.

'The next batter, Yoon Do-hyun, struck out swinging. Then Kim Tae-gun, stepping up in the following at-bat, hit a fastball (149 km/h) that was located right down the middle after a full count on the seventh pitch, launching a go-ahead two-run home run over the left-field fence. This was the moment KIA took a 7-6 lead and once again turned the game around 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; Kim Tae-yeon dropped a fly ball to right field. After one out, Ha Ju-seok hit a sacrifice single to left field. 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 scored from third base. The official record was a fielder's choice. With Na Sung-beom's single extending the bases-loaded situation, Kim Tae-gun was hit by a pitch with two outs, allowing runner Kim Do-young to score from third base. 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.