With the KIA Tigers winning three consecutive games, they are one step closer to confirming the top spot in the regular season.먹튀검증
KIA, led by head coach Lee Bum-ho, won its 13th game of the season 6-2 against the Kiwoom Heroes of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on Sunday, winning its third consecutive game. The team posted 79 wins, two draws and 50 losses (0.612). As the second-ranked Samsung Lions lost the game, Kia’s magic number decreased from nine to seven.
On the mound, starting pitcher Eric Stout won his first game in two games since his KBO League debut with five hits, three outs and eight strikeouts in five innings. The bullpen, which led to Jang Hyun-sik (one scoreless inning), Jeon Sang-hyun (one scoreless inning), Kwak Do-gyu (one scoreless inning), and Jung Hae-young (one scoreless inning), did its part by minimizing the number of runs.
In the batting lineup, Socrates Brito led the team to victory with two hits and three RBIs, including one home run. Veteran Seo Geon-chang played 2 hits and 1 RBI in 3 at-bats, and Kim Do-young, who started in 2 days, did his part with 1 hit and 1 stolen base in 4 at-bats.
KIA clearly took the lead early in the game. Socrates’ first RBI double in the bottom of the first inning, and Kim Sun-bin’s two-run timely hit with the bases loaded with two outs completed the big inning.
KIA, which gave up one run to Kiwoom in the top of the second inning, widened the gap by hitting a home run in the bottom of the second inning. Socrates who appeared with one out and runners on the first base hit Kim In-beom’s first pitch of 135 km/h to draw a two-run arch over the right-center fence. The score is 5-1.
Since then, the game has been in a lull, and both Kiwoom and KIA continued to play without scoring for five innings from the third to the seventh inning. KIA’s fourth pitcher Kwak Do-kyu allowed one run in the top of the eighth inning, but Seo Geon-chang scored an RBI with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning, breaking Kiwoom’s will to chase. Jung Hae-young, who took the mound in relief in the top of the ninth inning, completed his team’s three consecutive wins as he ended the inning without losing a point.
After the game, Kia Tigers coach Lee Bum-ho said, “Starting pitcher Stout allowed just one run during five innings, displaying good pitching. His fastballs gave strength to him. Even though he is a substitute foreign player, he is taking responsibility and doing well.”
“From the sixth inning, the must-win team pitched in a relay and defended the team’s victory,” he added. “Socrates showed good performance with three RBIs, including the winning hit, and Kim Sun-bin is steadily leading the team’s offense.”
Along with its victory, Kia set a meaningful record of the most sold-out home games in a single season. It achieved its 22nd home game of this season, surpassing 2009 (21st) when it was playing at a groundless stadium and setting a new record.
“I am happy to repay the fans who set a new record for the most sales in a season with a victory,” Lee said. “I have shown good performance recently due to the good harmony between attack and defense. I am grateful to the players, and I will finish the week well with a good game tomorrow (8th).”
Meanwhile, Kia aims to have its team win four consecutive games and 80 wins during the regular season with Yang as its starting pitcher on Tuesday. The starting pitcher for Kiwoom is Ariel Furado.