The SSG Landers completed a comfortable three-game sweep.
SSG came from behind to win 5-4 against the Kia Tigers of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on Monday, thanks to a tiebreaking home run by Kim Min-sik, a game-winning sacrifice fly by Choi Jung, and strong pitching from the bullpen. The team took the lead in all three games with a one-run victory.
SSG took advantage of KIA starter Sean Anderson, who came back fresh from the disabled list, in the first inning. Choi Ji-hoon singled to right and Park Sung-yi drew a walk. With runners on first and third, Choi drew a walk to load the bases. Heredia then hit a ball to left field that Ko Jong-wook failed to catch, making it 2-0.
In the third, Kim Min-sik led off the inning with a triple to right-center field. Anderson got the second out, but a wild pitch by Choi Ji-hoon at the plate easily gave up another run. The shadow of a sweep hung over the KIA dugout.
However, SSG starter Park Jong-hoon’s pitches swung wildly. KIA had a chance to load the bases in the bottom of the second inning when Kim Sun-bin singled, Lee Woo-sung grounded out to shortstop, and Shin Beom-soo walked. Kim Kyu-sung struck out three pitches, but Ryu Ji-hyuk picked up a pushing double to bring in a run.
Park Chan-ho followed with an infield single to third to make it 2-3, and Socrates drew another push ball to tie the game. Choi Hyung-woo came up to bat and Park Jong-hoon hit a wild pitch to make it 4-3. Jong-hoon gave up four walks and two infield hits in his big inning.
From there, the game remained a tight one-run affair as both teams failed to score additional runs. SSG had runners on first and second in the top of the sixth inning, but failed to capitalize as KIA’s Choi Ji-min was thwarted. However, in the top of the seventh inning, Kim Min-sik hit a solo shot (his third of the season) to tie the game and bring the game back to even.
That’s when the KIA defense faltered. One out later, Choi Ji-hoon stole first base when shortstop Park Chan-ho misplayed a ground ball. Park Sung-ho advanced to second on a wild pitch by Choi Ji-min, and the runners advanced to third on a wild pitch. With the opportunity at hand, Choi Jeong-jeong lined a single to left field to complete the comeback. SSG was lucky to score the game-winning run. It was a wasted run for KIA.
SSG starter Park Jong-hoon struck out two in four innings, but gave up four runs on seven hits and four walks. In the fifth inning, Lee came on and pitched two perfect innings to secure the win for the second straight day. He was followed by Choi Min-jun, who gave up just one hit and two walks. In the ninth, Moon Seung-won came in and pitched one inning of relief to secure the third straight win 메이저사이트.
KIA was unable to capitalize on a runner on first and second in the bottom of the ninth to take the sweep. Anderson took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Choi Ji-min took the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on a hit batter and a wild pitch. KIA dropped all three games of the series due to defensive errors and indecision, widening its deficit to 23-27.