"The key is the lineup" → It never clicked, and so the champion's season came to a close [Playoff Semifinal Game 3 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The LG Twins' lineup never found its rhythm.

On the 20th, at Seoul Jamsil Stadium, LG lost 1-13 to the KIA Tigers in Game 3 of the 2026 Preliminary Playoffs (best-of-five series). Having dropped all three games, LG thus brought an unfortunate end to the season for the "defending champions."

Before the game, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop repeatedly emphasized that "the key is the lineup." LG fielded a starting lineup on this day with four batting order changes compared to Game 2, including Oh Ji-hwan in the No. 2 spot, Song Chan-ui in the No. 4 spot, Moon Jeong-bin in the No. 6 spot, and Moon Sung-ju in the No. 7 spot.

Manager Yeom stated, "As seen in Games 1 and 2, we ultimately need to win the battle of the lineups," adding, "I believe both teams have been nearly evenly matched in their defensive baseball so far. Just like KIA, we need hitters who can open up the offensive flow for a few players." He did not abandon hope.

However, LG's batters failed to live up to the manager's expectations. They were held down by KIA starter Shirakawa, managing only two hits and surrendering nine strikeouts through five innings. In the bottom of the fifth inning, leadoff hitter Moon Bo-kyung reached base on a line drive single to right field, but subsequent batters Moon Jeong-bin, Moon Sung-ju, and Park Dong-won all struck out in succession.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, LG took advantage of an error by Koo Bon-hyuk's hit and Park Hae-min's double to create a bases-loaded opportunity with no outs, forcing Shirakawa off the mound. However, they managed only one run against reliever Jung Hae-young via Austin's groundout to second base. In the bottom of the seventh inning, with two outs and the bases loaded, Park Hae-min grounded out to first base against Lee Eui-ri, failing to add any further runs.

Including losses of 1-5 in Game 1 and 3-6 in Game 2, LG's total score across the three Preliminary Playoff games was a mere five runs. The club's earnest dream of winning its first consecutive championship in two years was thus postponed to another opportunity.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original