Hilliard's Season 38 Walk-off Home Run 'Boom', Kim Do-young Closes Gap by Two Runs → SSG's 'Monster' Avila Suffers Second Loss to KT [Incheon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz Hilliard (32) hit a walk-off home run, his 38th of the season, closing the gap on Kim Do-young (23·KIA Tigers), who leads with 40 home runs, by two. KT once again toppled 'monster pitcher' Avila (29·SSG Landers).

On the 22nd, KT defeated SSG 8-2 in a comeback victory at Incheon SSG Landers Field, extending their winning streak to three games and firmly holding onto first place. Meanwhile, SSG ended its four-game winning run.

Earlier, on August 23 in an Incheon game, KT also defeated Avila 3-1. Avila allowed three earned runs over seven innings, suffering his first loss since his KBO League debut after seven games (four consecutive wins). Although he went on to win three straight in the next four games, he faced KT again and became the losing pitcher. Both of his two losses this season came against KT.

Both teams engaged in a tight pitching duel through the middle innings under strong performances from starting pitchers Bae Je-seong (KT) and Avila.

KT took the lead first. In the top of the 1st inning, leading batter Choi Won-jun hit Avila's first pitch for a double down the left-field line. After Kim Min-hyuk executed a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third with one out, Ahn Hyun-min grounded into an infield out at second base, allowing KT to score the first run easily.

SSG responded. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, leading batter Park Sung-han drew a walk and, following a hit-by-pitch that loaded the bases with one out, Eredia drove in an RBI single up the middle to tie the game. In the bottom of the 6th, Jeon Ui-san drew a walk and Lee Ji-young singled to left field, creating a scoring opportunity with runners on first and second and one out. Substitute batter Oh Tae-gon then hit an RBI double to center field, giving SSG a 2-1 lead.

However, KT proved once again why they are the top team. In the top of the 7th inning with one out and runners on first and third, Kwon Dong-jin hit a single to left field to tie the game. With two outs and runners on first and second, Kim Min-hyuk then hit an RBI single to left field, putting KT ahead 3-2 and forcing Avila's removal from the mound. Avila pitched 6⅔ innings, throwing 102 pitches, allowing six hits, striking out eight, and surrendering three earned runs.

In the top of the 9th inning with one out and bases loaded, Kim Min-hyuk grounded into a fielder's choice, but SSG first baseman Oh Tae-gon committed an error on the play, allowing KT to score another run. Hilliard then launched a walk-off home run over the center-field fence off SSG's Jeon Young-jun, sealing the victory.

Bae Je-seong delivered a strong performance of five innings, allowing four hits and one earned run, laying the foundation for the comeback win. He was followed by Jeon Yong-ju, Son Dong-hyun, Sugimoto, and Kim Jeong-won, who held the lead to secure the victory.

SSG's Choi Ji-hoon successfully stole second base in the bottom of the 7th inning, becoming only the 11th player in history to record 20 stolen bases for six consecutive seasons.

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*This content was translated by AI.