Kim Do-young's 'youngest 40-home run' record attempt delayed again! With Kim Sun-bin's two-RBI triple and Na Sung-beom's go-ahead home run leading the way, KIA secured a winning series against top-ranked KT [Gwangju On-the-Ground Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Do-young (23, KIA Tigers), who is challenging for the youngest single-season 40-home run record in KBO history, faces an extended wait. However, thanks to the performances of veteran players, KIA has secured a winning series against top-ranked KT Wiz.

On the 5th, KIA defeated KT 6-3 in a regular-season home game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

With this victory, fourth-place KIA, now on a two-game winning streak, extended its lead over fifth-place Doosan Bears, who also lost on the same day. The record stands at 64 wins, 2 draws, and 52 losses. KT, now in a two-game losing streak, sits at 69 wins, 3 draws, and 45 losses, putting their first-place position in jeopardy.

The turning point came in the bottom of the eighth inning when KIA led 4-3. Jo Sang-woo allowed a double to Heo Kyung-min, then faced pinch-hitter Jang Jin-hyeok. A double by pinch-runner Ryu Hyun-in put runners on base with one out, creating a critical situation. Shortstop Ha Ju-seok's defensive play was lacking at that moment.

However, Ha Ju-seok leaped to catch Choi Won-jun's hard-hit ball and quickly touched second base for a double play, ending the inning instantly. In the top of the eighth with no outs and a runner on first, Na Sung-beom hit a two-run home run over the right-field fence, sealing the lead as KIA enjoyed a satisfying two-game winning streak.

The starting pitcher duel was intense. KIA's Yang Hyeon-jong pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out two, giving up three earned runs to improve his season record to 10 wins (6 losses). KT's Logan Allen pitched six innings, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out six, giving up four runs (one earned), resulting in a season record of 3 losses (5 wins).

Although KIA recorded fewer hits than KT (6 to 10), they secured the victory. Veteran Kim Sun-bin contributed with a triple, his first of the season, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored. Na Sung-beom added a go-ahead home run, going 1-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. For KT, Sam Hilliard went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while Choi Won-jun went 2-for-4 with one walk, but their efforts were overshadowed by the team's loss.

Kim Do-young, who is challenging for former manager Lee Seung-yeop's KBO record as the youngest player to hit 40 home runs in a single season, remained silent today, going 0-for-3 with one walk and one strikeout. As the designated hitter batting third, Kim entered his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning with two outs but struck out on three pitches. In the bottom of the third with two outs and a runner on second, he reached base via a walk.

The most disappointing moment came in the fifth inning. With one out and a runner on third in the bottom of the fifth, Kim Do-young fouled off the first pitch for a sacrifice fly. In the seventh, he was retired on an infield grounder to shortstop, unable to hide his frustration.

Meanwhile, 25,000 fans filled the stadium for today's game. This marked KIA's 31st sellout of the season, surpassing the previous record of 30 sellouts set in 2024 when they won the Korean Series, establishing a new club record for most sellouts in a single season.

Today, KIA lined up with Park Jae-hyun (left fielder), Kim Sun-bin (second baseman), Kim Do-young (designated hitter), Harold Castro (first baseman), Na Sung-beom (right fielder), Han Jun-soo (catcher), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Byun Woo-hyeok (third baseman), and Ha Ju-seok (shortstop). Yang Hyeon-jong started on the mound.

KT countered with Choi Won-jun (center fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Ahn Hyeon-min (right fielder), Sam Hilliard (left fielder), Kim Min-hyeok (designated hitter), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Son Min-seok (shortstop). Logan Allen started on the mound.

KT, the visiting team, took the early lead. In the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Choi Won-jun reached base with a large double. Yang Hyeon-jong failed to field Kim Hyun-soo's ground ball, resulting in no outs and runners on first and third. Hilliard then hit a sacrifice fly to left field for an RBI, giving KT the 1-0 lead.

The game unfolded as a back-and-forth battle. In the bottom of the second inning, Castro drew a walk, followed by Han Jun-soo's infield single and an error that put runners on first and third with one out. When Kim Ho-ryeong hit a ground ball, Na Sung-beom at third base scored.

In the top of the third with one out, Ahn Hyeon-min drew a walk, Hilliard hit a double to center field, and Kim Min-hyeok grounded to first, loading the bases with two outs. Yang Hyeon-jong's wild pitch allowed KT to take a 2-1 lead. In the top of the fifth, Hilliard hit a solo home run over the outfield fence, extending the lead further.

However, Kim Sun-bin's quick speed shone through. In the bottom of the fifth with Ha Ju-seok leading off with a double to center field and Park Jae-hyun reaching base on an error by the opposing team, creating bases loaded with no outs, Kim Sun-bin hit a two-RBI triple down the right-center field gap. It was his first such hit since September 2 last year against Daejeon Hanwha Eagles, nearly a year later. Following this, Castro grounded out to bring in the runner from third, completing the 4-3 comeback for KIA.

As KT failed to convert their baserunners into runs despite reaching base every inning, KIA ultimately turned the game around. In the bottom of the eighth, reliever Jeon Sang-hyun walked Castro, and Na Sung-beom hit a fastball inside over the right-field fence for a two-run home run. This made him the 10th batter in KBO history to hit a home run against every team this season.

In the ninth inning, reliever Jeon Sang-hyun retired all three batters he faced, allowing KIA to extend their winning streak. Jeon recorded his first save since August 5 last year against Busan Lotte Giants, after 396 days.

Alongside this, Yang Hyeon-jong achieved his 10th win of the season. At 38 years and six months and four days old, this marks the fifth-oldest pitcher to reach 10 wins in KBO history.

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

*This content was translated by AI.