The champion has finally awakened.
The KIA Tigers won 6-2 against the Doosan Bears in the season's third matchup at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 20th as part of the 2025 Shinhan SOL Banking KBO League.
KIA achieved back-to-back wins, successfully completing their second consecutive winning series following a three-game series against the KT Wiz. They now have 11 wins and 12 losses this season. On the other hand, Doosan, who fell into a two-game losing streak, now has 9 wins and 13 losses.
The home team, Doosan, fielded a starting lineup against KIA starter James Neale that included Jung Soo-bin (center fielder), Jake Cave (right fielder), Yang Eui-ji (catcher), Yang Seok-hwan (first baseman), Kim In-tae (designated hitter), Kang Seung-ho (third baseman), Park Jun-young (shortstop), Park Jun-soo (second baseman), and Jo Soo-hyung (left fielder). Rookie infielder Park Jun-soo made his debut in the starting lineup.
On the road, KIA faced Doosan starter Jack Log with Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Kim Sun-bin (second baseman), Na Seong-beom (right fielder), Patrick Wisdom (first baseman), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Lee Woo-sung (left fielder), Byun Woo-hyuk (third baseman), Kim Tae-gun (catcher), and Choi Won-jun (center fielder). Kim Sun-bin, who collided with an opposing fielder and had stitches in his inner lip during the game on the 18th, returned to the lineup two days later.
Both teams struggled with scoreless opportunities until the fifth inning in a tense pitching duel between Jack Log and Neale.
In the top of the first inning, KIA's Kim Sun-bin and Na Seong-beom drew back-to-back walks with one out, but Wisdom and Choi Hyung-woo struck out consecutively. In the third inning, with one out, Park Chan-ho hit a double, and Kim Sun-bin drew a walk after eight pitches, creating a chance on first and second base, but Na Seong-beom and Wisdom struck out in succession. In the top of the sixth, with two outs, Choi Hyung-woo drew a walk, and Lee Woo-sung's single put runners on first and third base, but Byun Woo-hyuk ended the inning with a groundout to the third baseman.
Doosan faced similar challenges. In the bottom of the first, Cave hit a single and stole second base, while Yang Seok-hwan drew a walk. With two outs and runners on first and second, Kim In-tae struck out looking. In the bottom of the third, following Cave's hit and stolen base, Yang Seok-hwan could not capitalize on the two-out situation on second base and flew out to center field. In the bottom of the fifth, leadoff hitter Jo Soo-hyung and Jung Soo-bin hit consecutive singles, but Cave's solid hit turned into a lineout to the shortstop followed by a double play, ending the threat.
The first to break the scoreless tie was Doosan. In the bottom of the sixth, leadoff hitter Yang Eui-ji hit a single, and Yang Seok-hwan hit a double to create a chance with no outs and runners on second and third. Kim In-tae struck out looking, and Kang Seung-ho also went down swinging, but Park Jun-young delivered a two-RBI single to right field, knocking KIA ace Neale out of the game.
KIA responded immediately in the top of the seventh. It started with a single by pinch hitter Oh Seon-woo, followed by Park Chan-ho's single setting up runners on first and second with one out. Then, Kim Sun-bin hit an RBI double, and Na Seong-beom followed with an RBI groundout, leveling the score at 2-2. Second baseman Park Jun-soo, who caught Na Seong-beom's ground ball, boldly chose to throw home, but third base runner Park Chan-ho reached home plate first.
KIA did not stop there. With one out and runners on first and third, Wisdom struck out swinging against Park Chi-guk, briefly halting the momentum, but veteran Choi Hyung-woo faced Park Shin-ji and delivered an RBI go-ahead single.
In the bottom of the seventh, Doosan's Jung Soo-bin drew a walk, and Cave's single set up a chance with one out and runners on first and second. However, Yang Eui-ji flew out to right field, and Yang Seok-hwan struck out swinging, losing their chance to rally. In the bottom of the eighth, after leadoff hitter Kim In-tae's single, pinch runner Jeon Min-jae was picked off.
KIA regained their strength in the bottom of the ninth with a 3-2 lead. Leadoff hitter Park Chan-ho hit a single on the first pitch, and Hong Jong-pyo attempted a bunt, but pitcher Kim Tae-kyun made a wild throw to first base. In the meantime, Park Chan-ho advanced to third base, and Hong Jong-pyo reached second base.
Next, Na Seong-beom hit a fly ball to right field, and right fielder Cave prevented third base runner Park Chan-ho from tagging up with an accurate throw home, but catcher Yang Eui-ji made a wild throw to third base, allowing Park Chan-ho to score.
KIA did not stop there; Wisdom followed up with an RBI double that hit the center field wall, extending their lead. Then, during Choi Hyung-woo's advancement play, Wisdom, who moved to third base, took advantage of an error by shortstop Park Jun-young to score another run.
In the bottom of the ninth, Doosan faced KIA closer Jung Hae-young with one out and the bases loaded, but Yang Eui-ji struck out looking, and Yang Seok-hwan grounded out to the third baseman, ending the game.
KIA starter Neale went 5⅔ innings, allowing 8 hits and 2 walks, striking out 7 and giving up 2 runs on 100 pitches before being taken out. Choi Ji-min (⅔ inning, no runs), Jeon Sang-hyun (⅔ inning, no runs), Jo Sang-woo (1 inning, no runs), and Jung Hae-young (1 inning, no runs) followed. The winning pitcher was Choi Ji-min.
In the batting lineup, leadoff hitter Park Chan-ho had an outstanding performance with 4 hits in 5 at-bats and 2 runs scored.
Doosan starter Jack Log pitched 5 innings, allowing 2 hits, 3 walks, and striking out 4 without giving up any runs on 86 pitches, earning no decision. The losing pitcher was Choi Ji-gang, who gave up 3 runs in 1⅓ innings. Cave's 3 hits went unnoticed.
KIA will take a day off before facing the Samsung Lions in a three-game series starting on the 22nd in Daegu. Doosan will move to Gocheok to meet the Kiwoom Heroes.
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