'Samsung jackpot' hits again! Unexpected KIA 'strikeout not out' variable emerges → Foreign investor's lucky charm blasts back-to-back home runs in 2G! [PO3 On-site]

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Samsung Lions' lucky charm foreign hitter Lewin Diaz (30) hit home runs in consecutive games during the postseason. An unexpected wild pitch by KIA Tigers starter Shirakawa ended up turning into a run.

Samsung's power hitter Diaz started Game 3 of the Playoffs (best-of-five series) against the KIA Tigers, held at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 29th as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason, batting fourth and playing first baseman. He drew an arc in his first at-bat in the top of the first inning.

With both teams tied 0-0 in a tense top of the first inning with two outs and no runners on base. Samsung seized the opportunity as the KIA battery wavered. No. 3 hitter Koo Ja-wook swung and missed Shirakawa's forkball, resulting in a strikeout. However, KIA catcher Kim Tae-gyun dropped the ball, letting it slip behind him. Seeing this, Koo Ja-wook immediately sprinted to first base and succeeded in reaching safely. It was Koo Ja-wook who reached base via a wild pitch on a strikeout not out.

The opportunity continued with two outs and a runner on first base. Here, Diaz stepped into the batter's box. And he drew a lead-off two-run arc that established dominance over Shirakawa. After watching the first-pitch slider, Diaz grabbed the second pitch, a 146 km/h fastball high in the middle of the plate, and pulled it over the right field fence for a two-run home run. It was Diaz's eighth career postseason home run.

Diaz had hit a decisive two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to turn the tide in Game 2 of the Playoffs, held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 27th, leading his team to victory. And Diaz swung his bat fiercely again today, showcasing his power hitting in consecutive games. Thanks to Diaz's home run, Koo Ja-wook, whose leg condition was not perfect, was also able to reach home comfortably.

Last season, Diaz recorded 50 home runs and 158 RBIs, becoming the first foreign hitter to reach the 50th-home-run milestone while setting a new single-season record for most RBIs. However, this season, although Diaz played in all 144 regular season games, he fell short with only 26 home runs, leaving some regret. Nevertheless, he is once again displaying the prowess of a home run champion on this fall baseball stage.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original