“We shrank every time we faced LG after winning in 2022” — SSG achieves a sweep for the first time in 1,957 days before an audience of 1.2 million… Manager also offers thanks: “I am happy to be able to gift you a victory” [On-site in Incheon]

*This content was translated by AI.

The SSG Landers, who had been particularly outmatched whenever they faced the LG Twins in recent years, finally broke through the trend of disadvantage. The achievement was made even more significant as it came on a day when their season attendance surpassed 1.2 million fans, marking their first three-game sweep against LG in 1,957 days.

On the 1st, SSG defeated LG 6-5 in a home game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season at Incheon SSG Landers Field.

By taking all three games of the home series against LG, SSG improved to a record of 61 wins, 5 draws, and 71 losses, further strengthening their push in the race for sixth place. This marks the first time since the 21-23, 2021 — a span of 1,957 days — that SSG has swept a three-game series against LG.

Even more significant is the fact that they have broken their recent losing streak against LG. Even after claiming the KBO League’s first “wire-to-wire” championship in 2022, SSG struggled particularly against LG. They were heavily outmatched with records of 4 wins and 12 losses in 2023, and 4 wins, 1 draw, and 11 losses in 2024, and remained at a disadvantage last year as well with a record of 6 wins and 10 losses. This season, their head-to-head record against LG also ended at 7 wins and 9 losses.

However, the final matchup was different. SSG swept the season’s final three-game series against LG, creating a definitive turnaround even after a long period of disadvantage. The result was meaningful not only for the immediate standings battle but also when looking ahead to future matchups with LG next year.

The path to victory was not easy. SSG’s lineup exploded, starting with Kim Jae-hwan’s 300th career home run, and at one point led by a score of 6-0. However, LG’s counterattack was fierce. Allowing a three-run homer by Lee Jae-won and a solo homer by Oh Ji-hwan, among others, SSG saw the gap narrow to 6-5.

Nevertheless, they held on to the final run until the end. At the center of this was Kim Min, who entered as a relief pitcher in the top of the sixth inning while trailing 4-6 and cleanly retired three batters on just nine pitches. With perfect pitching that included two strikeouts over one inning, Kim Min completely halted LG’s momentum to close the gap. Subsequently, Moon Seung-won (two-thirds of an inning), Jeon Young-jun (one-third of an inning), Lee Geon-wook (one inning), and Jo Byung-hyun (one inning) combined to pitch four innings while allowing only one run, securing the victory.

After the game, SSG manager Lee Soon-yong (55) praised the bullpen, stating, “From the middle of the game onward, Kim Min, followed by Moon Seung-won, Jeon Young-jun, and Lee Geon-wook, effectively shut down the opponent’s fierce pursuit, and closer Jo Byung-hyun, who has returned to the role, protected the team’s victory.”

On the offensive side, there was balanced performance from multiple players, highlighted by Kim Jae-hwan’s 300th career home run. Kim Min also became the third pitcher in KBO history to achieve both 70 appearances and 20 holds for three consecutive seasons, following Kim Jin-sung and Noh Kyung-eun.

Manager Lee said, “It is even more meaningful that we were able to celebrate Kim Jae-hwan’s 300th career home run and Kim Min’s achievement of 70 appearances and 20 holds for three consecutive seasons alongside a team victory.”

Above all, the reason this day’s victory was special was that it was achieved in front of the fans. Through this game, SSG recorded a season cumulative home attendance of 1,213,900, surpassing the 1.2 million mark for the second consecutive year after last year. Despite fluctuations in performance, they completed a rare sweep against LG in front of the fans who have consistently filled Incheon SSG Landers Field.

Manager Lee conveyed, “I am happy to be able to gift a victory to all our fans on the day we surpassed 1.2 million attendance for the second consecutive year,” adding, “I sincerely thank all 1.2 million fans who visited Incheon SSG Landers Field this season and sent us their passionate support.”

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*This content was translated by AI.