Previewing the 'Miracle Doosan': A Thrilling Walk-Off in the Bottom of the 9th! KIA's Lee Ui-ri faces a 'Comeback Victory' — The '4G Car' Makes a Fierce Chase [Jamsil On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Doosan Bears defeated KIA Tigers, securing a victory in what is being called a 'preview of the Wild Card decisive series.'

On the 23rd at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Doosan secured a thrilling 3-2 walk-off win against KIA in their regular-season home game for the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

With this victory, Doosan achieved a two-game winning streak, finishing with 67 wins, 62 losses, and 5 ties. The team maintained sole possession of 5th place in the league standings. Meanwhile, KIA ended its winning streak at three games, recording 71 wins, 58 losses, and 2 ties. While maintaining sole 4th place in the league, the gap between Doosan and KIA narrowed from five games to four games.

Doosan set their starting lineup as follows: Jung Soobin (center field), Ahn Jae-seok (third base), Kim Min-seok (left field), Yang Eui-ji (catcher), Severino (first base), Son A-seop (designated hitter), Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Oh Myung-jin (second base), and Jo Su-haeng (right field). The starting pitcher was Jacklog.

Ahead of the game, Doosan manager Kim Won-hyeong commented on Son A-seop: "There are positive aspects for him in terms of records if he starts. However, no matter how good his records are, the opponent is a pitcher who throws at 150 km/h. Since it has been a while since he started, I think he just needs to fulfill his role to some extent. Rather, the batters placed higher in the lineup than Son A-seop need to perform well."

KIA set their starting lineup as follows: Kim Ho-ryeong (center field), Kim Min-gyu (left field), Kim Sun-bin (second base), Castro (first base), Na Sung-beom (right field), Han Jun-su (designated hitter), Park Min (shortstop), Kim Tae-gun (catcher), and Byun Woo-hyeok (third base). The starting pitcher was Adam Oller.

Ahead of the game, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho joked about excluding Ha Joo-seok from the lineup: "He hit too well against Jacklog," he said with a smile, then explained, "His record against them is 1-for-16 in at-bats. So, if Jacklog comes out of the starting lineup, we plan to use him later."

KIA took the lead first. In the top of the 1st inning, leadoff batter Kim Ho-ryeong reached base with a two-base hit to left-center field, then advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by the following batter, Kim Min-gyu. Later, when Kim Sun-bin hit a ground ball to third base, Doosan's third baseman Ahn Jae-seok committed an error on the play, allowing Kim Ho-ryeong, who was on third base, to score.

Both teams exchanged one run each in the 3rd inning. In the top of the 3rd, KIA's leadoff batter Byun Woo-hyeok hit a single to left-center field, then successfully stole second base with one out during Kim Min-gyu's at-bat. Kim Min-gyu struck out. Later, when Kim Sun-bin hit an RBI two-base hit that landed just inside the right-field line, runner Byun Woo-hyeok from second base scored, making it 2-0.

Doosan also launched a counterattack. In the bottom of the 3rd, Doosan's leadoff batter Oh Myung-jin hit a two-base hit that cleared the right-field fence. Later, when Jo Su-haeng executed a sacrifice bunt, Oh Myung-jin advanced to third base and scored on Jo Su-haeng's ground ball to second base.

Then in the bottom of the 5th, Doosan tied the game. With two outs, Jung Soobin reached base with a single to left-center field, then successfully stole second base during Ahn Jae-seok's at-bat. Ultimately, Ahn Jae-seok hit an RBI single to left-center field, tying the score at 2-2.

Ultimately, the game was decided in the bottom of the 9th inning. KIA brought in closer Lee Ui-ri. Doosan had Kang Seung-ho reach base on a walk with one out. The next batter, Jung Soobin, flew out to right field. The following batter was Ahn Jae-seok. While Kang Seung-ho successfully stole second base, he targeted the sixth pitch in a 2-2 count. The ball slipped between the first baseman and second baseman and headed toward the outfield, eventually resulting in a walk-off hit.

Doosan's starter Jacklog pitched 6 innings (95 pitches total), allowing 4 hits, issuing 1 walk, hitting 1 batter, striking out 3 batters, and giving up 2 earned runs before leaving the mound without a decision. He was followed by Kim Taek-yeon (2/3 inning), Takada (1 1/3 innings), and Lee Young-ha (1 inning). The winning pitcher was Lee Young-ha. In the lineup that recorded 9 hits, Ahn Jae-seok went 3-for-3 and Kim Min-seok went 2-for-2.

KIA's starter Oller pitched 6 innings (89 pitches), allowing 6 hits, issuing 2 walks, striking out 3 batters, and giving up 2 earned runs, also leaving the mound without a decision. He was followed by Jeon Sang-hyun (1 inning), Kwak Do-gyu (2/3 inning), Jo Sang-woo (1/3 inning), and Lee Ui-ri (2/3 inning, 1 run allowed). The losing pitcher was Lee Ui-ri. In the lineup that recorded 6 hits, Kim Ho-ryeong recorded a multi-hit game.

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*This content was translated by AI.