Diaz alone "lifted and dropped" the game... 4 hits → fatal error → go-ahead run: "Heaven and Hell" [KS2 On-Site Report]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Samsung Lions foreign hitter Diaz (30) single-handedly "lifted and dropped" the team on the Korea Series stage.

In Game 2 of the 2026 KBO League Korea Series against KT Wiz, held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 4th, Diaz recorded four hits in six at-bats, two runs batted in, and scored the go-ahead run, leading his team to a 3-2 victory. However, he also experienced "heaven and hell" by committing a critical defensive error that provided the opportunity for KT to tie the game.

Starting as the fifth hitter and first baseman, Diaz unleashed his power from his first at-bat. With the score tied 0-0 in the top of the second inning with no outs and a runner on second base, he hit a triple over right field off opposing starter Ko Young-pyo, driving in the go-ahead run. It was his first triple since debuting in the KBO League in 2024, including regular season games. He followed up with a double to left-center field in the top of the fourth inning and an infield single to right field in the top of the seventh. A home run would have been enough for him to achieve the first cycle in Korea Series history.

Moreover, Diaz had been thoroughly suppressed by Ko Young-pyo this regular season, going hitless in nine at-bats. Last year as well, he managed only two singles in nine at-bats against him. However, on the big stage of the Korea Series, he hit safely in all three at-bats, successfully getting revenge.

It did not end there. With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the 10th inning of extra innings and two outs with runners on first and second base, Diaz came to bat again. The KT bench brought left-handed pitcher Jeon Yong-joo onto the pitcher's mound.

With a 0-1 count, Diaz pulled Jeon Yong-joo's second pitch, a slider, for a single that dropped in front of right field. Runner Kim Ji-chan crossed home plate, giving Samsung a 2-1 lead once again.

Having driven in two runs by himself, Diaz was in a position to be the hero with the go-ahead hit. However, he committed a fatal error in the defense immediately following in the bottom of the 10th inning.

With one out and runners on first and second base, Samsung pitcher Won Tae-in induced an infield grounder from Hillyard. At that moment, first baseman Diaz dropped the ball while attempting to throw to second base after fielding it. In the meantime, all runners remained alive, putting Samsung in a bases-loaded crisis. Subsequently, Won Tae-in issued a bases-loaded walk to Kim Hyun-soo, ultimately allowing KT to tie the game at 2-2.

Opportunities still remained for Diaz. After hitting an infield grounder to second base in the top of the 12th inning of extra innings and advancing to second base, he scored on a fielder's choice off Lee Jae-hyun when opposing shortstop Oh Yoon-seok made an error throwing to first base, recording the go-ahead run. The ending of the "Diaz drama," which had both made the team laugh and cry, was a "happy ending."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original