Game 1 of the Korean Series Resumed After 42 Hours... KIA's 5-1 Comeback Victory

The first game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Korean Series between the KIA Tigers and Samsung Lions, which was recorded as the first-ever suspended game in Korean Series history, ended with a 5-1 comeback victory for KIA.

Samsung ultimately failed to maintain the momentum of the winning streak that had been interrupted for about 42 hours. The resumed first game, held at 4 p.m. on the 23rd at Gwangju Kia Champions Field, started with Samsung’s offense in the top of the 6th inning with no outs and runners on first and second base. It was about 42 hours after the game was suspended due to rain around 10:10 p.m. on the 21st.

Samsung’s first batter was Kim Young-woong. Kim attempted a sacrifice bunt, but the lead runner on second base was caught. The next batter, Park Byung-ho, struck out swinging, resulting in two outs with runners on first and second. Yoon Jung-bin drew a walk to load the bases with two outs, but Lee Jae-hyun grounded out to the pitcher, and Samsung ultimately failed to score.

Samsung shut down KIA’s offense in the bottom of the 6th inning with left-hander Lee Seung-hyun’s strong pitching, then regained a chance in the top of the 7th. Lee Seung-hyun struck out three batters swinging in the bottom of the 6th. After striking out Socrates and Kim Do-young consecutively, he hit Choi Hyung-woo with a pitch but struck out Na Sung-bum swinging on three pitches to end the inning.

Samsung created another opportunity in the top of the 7th inning. Lead-off hitter Ryu Ji-hyuk’s batted ball deflected off KIA pitcher Jeon Sang-hyun’s glove and slowly rolled toward the shortstop, and Park Chan-ho failed to catch the ball with his glove, creating a no-out runner on first base opportunity. A sacrifice bunt by Kim Ji-chan advanced the runner to second base with one out, but Kim Heon-gon and Diaz struck out consecutively.

KIA Socrates is cheering after hitting a go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the 7th inning during Game 1 of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Postseason Korean Series, which was suspended and resumed due to rain at Gwangju Kia Champions Field on the 23rd. The score was 3-1.
Photo by Yonhap News

KIA turned the game around in the bottom of the 7th inning.

Lead-off hitter Kim Sun-bin walked, and Choi Won-jun hit a single to create a no-out opportunity with runners on first and second. Kim Tae-gun’s sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third with one out. Seo Geon-chang popped out to first base, but a wild pitch during Park Chan-ho’s at-bat tied the game at 1-1. Park Chan-ho reached base on a walk, continuing the opportunity, and another wild pitch during Socrates’ at-bat allowed KIA to take a 2-1 lead.

With runners on second and two outs, Socrates and Kim Do-young hit consecutive RBI singles, quickly extending the score to 4-1.

Samsung collapsed after surrendering the lead. They failed to capitalize on KIA pitchers Kwak Do-gyu and Jung Hae-young in the 8th and 9th innings, respectively, ending both innings with consecutive strikeouts.

KIA added one more run in the bottom of the 8th inning after two outs, with Choi Won-jun’s single and Kim Tae-gun’s double, finishing the game 5-1.