'Overcoming a critical situation with no outs at first and third in the ninth inning, Samsung returns to sole first place! LG's six-game winning streak halted, two-game losing streak broken [Jamsil On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Samsung Lions escaped a three-game losing streak with a thrilling one-run comeback victory after an intense extra-inning battle against third-place LG Twins, simultaneously reclaiming sole first place. Meanwhile, LG, which had aimed for a six-game winning streak, missed a walk-off opportunity in the bottom of the ninth and suffered a painful blow in extra innings.

Samsung defeated LG 4-3 after an extra-inning, close contest at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 5th in a road game during the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League'. Having escaped a three-game losing slump, Samsung pushed aside KT Wiz to immediately seize the league's top spot, returning to first place and halting LG's fierce challenge for a six-game winning streak.

On this day, home team LG set its starting lineup with Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin (first baseman), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Moon Jeong-bin (designated hitter), Koo Bon-hyuk (shortstop), Lee Ju-heon (catcher), and Hong Chang-gi (right fielder). The starting pitcher was Tollhurst.

Samsung countered with a lineup of Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Kim Sung-yoon (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Diaz (first baseman), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop), Kim Young-woong (third baseman), and Park Se-hyeok (catcher). Left-handed pitcher Lee Seung-hyun started for Samsung.

The early part of the game unfolded as a tight pitching duel. The 0-0 deadlock was suddenly broken in the bottom of the sixth when LG Twins unleashed a flurry of hits. LG opened the scoring with leadoff hitter Austin hitting a double to right-center off reliever Im Ki-young. Song Chan-ui then drew a walk after a full-count battle, creating a no-out opportunity at first and second. Subsequently, Moon Bo-kyung also hit a single up the middle, instantly completing a bases-loaded situation with no outs.

Samsung brought in Bae Chan-seung to replace Im Ki-young on the mound. Although Moon Jeong-bin was retired on an infield fly on the first pitch, seemingly defusing the crisis, Koo Bon-hyuk emerged as the savior at the crucial moment. With two strikes against him, Koo patiently worked the count to full, then drove a 6th-pitch pitch for a two-run double to right-center.

While officially recorded as a sacrifice double, it was actually a clear fielding error by outfielder Kim Sung-yoon. Due to a misjudgment of the ball's trajectory, it was not charged as an error, but Kim missed a catchable ball, allowing third baseman Austin and second baseman Song Chan-ui to score, while Moon Bo-kyung also reached third base. The score became 2-0.

LG's offense continued. Park Dong-won, who entered as a pinch-hitter for Lee Ju-heon, drew a straight walk, again loading the bases with one out. Following him, Hong Chang-gi hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Moon Bo-kyung home from third and extending the lead to 3-0.

However, Samsung's counterattack was no less formidable. In the immediately following top of the seventh, Samsung scored three runs to reset the game. LG replaced Tollhurst with Kim Young-woo, but leadoff hitter Choi Hyung-woo hit a single up the middle and Diaz followed with a single through the infield, creating a no-out opportunity at first and third. Ryu Ji-hyuk then drew a walk, instantly loading the bases with no outs.

Although LG switched pitchers to Kim Jin-su, Lee Jae-hyun hit a one-run single up the middle after a full-count battle, igniting the comeback. With the bases still loaded and no outs, Kim Young-woong hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Diaz home. Then, with one out and runners at first and third, when pinch-hitter Kim Tae-hoon hit a ground ball to second base, Lee Jae-hyun was forced out at second while Ryu Ji-hyuk scored from third, finally tying the game 3-3.

After bringing in Lee Woo-chan and Son Ju-young to prevent further runs, LG seized a golden opportunity in the bottom of the ninth. Leadoff hitter Hong Chang-gi drew a walk against right-handed pitcher Lee Seung-hyun after a tense battle going to eight pitches. Next, Shin Min-jae hit an infield single toward shortstop, and Lee Jae-hyun committed an error. Pinch-runner Choi Won-young reached third base, maintaining the no-out opportunity at first and third.

Samsung brought in closer Kim Jae-yoon. Kim struck out Park Hae-min, then intentionally walked Austin to load the bases with one out. He then struck out Song Chan-ui. However, with two outs and the bases loaded, he retired Moon Bo-kyung on a groundout to second base, preventing any runs from scoring.

Having survived the crisis, Samsung decided the game in the top of the 11th inning. The man who broke the tight deadlock was veteran Kang Min-ho. Leadoff hitter Ryu Ji-hyuk opened the inning with a single up the middle against reliever Lee Jeong-yong. Lee Jae-hyun then calmly executed a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher's mound on the first pitch, creating a scoring opportunity with one out and a runner at second. Following him, Kim Young-woong drew a walk after a grueling battle going to eight pitches, maintaining the no-out opportunity at first and second.

Kang Min-ho then emerged as the savior. Stepping into the batter's box against Lee Jeong-yong, Kang hit a single up the left side, bringing Ryu Ji-hyuk home from second base and finally breaking the tie 4-3. In the bottom of the 11th, Samsung brought in Satoshi to hold off a one-out, runner-at-second crisis without allowing any runs, securing a hard-fought victory and reclaiming the top spot.

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*This content was translated by AI.