The KIA Tigers beat the Kiwoom Heroes for two days in a row and won four consecutive victories.
KIA won 3-2 in the home game against Kiwoom in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League held at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 20th.
With this victory, KIA recorded 18 wins and 17 losses, and extended their winning streak to ‘4’. Here, we secured a winning series of 3 consecutive weekends. On the other hand, Kiwoom went 17-24 and fell into a two-game losing streak.
KIA played a key role in the team’s victory with Socrates Brito’s multi-hit performance including the final home run (No. 5 home run). Starting pitcher Adonis Medina recorded 4 hits and 2 runs in 5 innings, achieving his 2nd win (5 losses) of the season. Kiwoom hung his head in the end, being silent every time the other line took a chance.
KIA, which exploded 10 points the day before, gained momentum from the first attack. In the bottom of the first inning, Socrates went on base due to a catch error by first baseman Lim Ji-yeol, and Choi Hyung-woo hit a right-handed hit. KIA, who had a chance to score, had Kim Seon-bin hit at the right time.
Kiwoom immediately launched a counterattack. In the top of the second inning, Lee Won-seok hit left-handed and Kim Tae-jin hit a right-handed double, taking the opportunity. Afterwards, Lim Ji-yeol exploded a two-run double that passed center fielder Socrates’ key and overturned the game.
KIA regained the lead with a cannon shot. In the bottom of the third inning, Park Chan-ho hit an infield hit and Socrates drew a come-from-behind two-run arch.
In Kiwoom, Lee Jung-hoo walked and Lee Hyung-jong scored a left-handed hit in the first run of the 5th inning, and the runner was in the scoring position. However, Kim Hye-seong was hit out in front of the pitcher.
Kiwoom’s chance in the top of the 6th was also canceled. Lee Won-seok hit a double from left center and Song Seong-moon got a straight walk. However, in the 2nd out 1st and 2nd base chances, Lim Byung-wook stayed on the grounder at 1st base.
Kiwoom continued to pursue. In the top of the 7th, Lee Jung-hoo stole second base after going on base with a heavy hit. Afterwards, Kim Hye-seong picked out a straight walk and made two outs, 1st and 2nd base, but Edison Russell’s assault hit was caught by first baseman Hwang Dae-in with a jump catch.
The frustrating flow of the hero corps continued. In the top of the 8th inning, Kim Tae-jin’s left-handed double created a chance for one out and second base. However, Song Seong-moon threw a fly ball to right fielder and pinch hitter Kim Hui-jip hit a ground ball to shortstop.
At the beginning of the 9th inning, KIA appointed finishing pitcher Jeong Hae-young. Jung Hae-young finished the inning neatly with a tripartite offense and harvested his 4th save of the season 안전놀이터.