KIA Continues Comeback Win in Game 1 and Secures Easy Victory in Game 2... Takes 2 Wins at Home

5 Runs Scored with 5 Hits in Bottom of 1st Inning
Yang Hyeon-jong Pitches 5.1 Innings, Allows 2 Runs, 'Winning Pitcher'

The KIA Tigers continued their positive momentum from the come-from-behind victory in Game 1 and secured an easy win in Game 2 as well. They are now just two wins away from their 12th championship.

On the 23rd, KIA defeated Samsung 8-3 in Game 2 of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Korean Series held at Gwangju Kia Champions Field.

The game was decided early. KIA scored a big 5 runs in the first inning with a complete batting order. The difference in the starting pitchers' presence was clear. KIA started with Yang Hyeon-jong, while Samsung started with Hwang Dong-jae.

Yang Hyeon-jong allowed only one hit in the first inning and easily closed it out. Hwang Dong-jae did not even complete the first inning. He pitched 0.2 innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 walk, and 5 runs (all earned), becoming the losing pitcher.

KIA Tigers' Kim Do-young is responding to the crowd's cheers after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd inning, extending the lead to 6-0 during the 2nd game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Postseason Korean Series against the Samsung Lions at Gwangju Kia Champions Field on the 23rd.
[Photo by Yonhap News] A game of the KIA Tigers. KIA's Kim Do-young is celebrating while rounding the bases after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd inning. 2024.10.23
iso64@yna.co.kr
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In the bottom of the 1st inning, KIA’s leadoff hitter Park Chan-ho drew a walk, and second batter Socrates hit a single, creating a no-out 1st and 2nd base opportunity. During Kim Do-young’s at-bat, Samsung catcher Kang Min-ho threw to second base to check the runner, but the ball got past into the outfield, allowing Park Chan-ho to advance to third. Park Chan-ho scored on Kim Do-young’s groundout, putting KIA ahead. Consecutive hits by fourth batter Choi Hyung-woo and fifth batter Na Sung-bum, followed by a double over the left fielder’s head by sixth batter Kim Sun-bin, extended the lead to 3-0. Continuing the 2nd and 3rd base opportunity, seventh batter Lee Woo-sung completed a sequence of four consecutive hits, making it 5-0.

KIA extended the lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning. After two outs, Kim Do-young hit his first home run in the Korean Series.

Samsung failed to capitalize on their chance to counterattack in the top of the 3rd inning. Leadoff hitter Kim Hyun-jun reached base with an infield hit, and after two outs, Diaz’s hit and Kang Min-ho’s walk loaded the bases, but Kim Young-woong popped out weakly to center field.

In the 4th inning, Ryu Ji-hyeok’s hit and a KIA infield error allowed Samsung to score one run, but they failed to add more runs with a 2nd and 1st base opportunity with two outs, as Kim Heon-gon grounded out to third base.

KIA added one run in the bottom of the 5th inning on a sacrifice fly by Kim Sun-bin, and Samsung scored one run in the top of the 6th inning with Ryu Ji-hyeok’s double and Jeon Byung-woo’s walk setting up a 1st and 2nd base situation with one out, followed by an RBI hit by Kim Hyun-jun. KIA then scored another run in the bottom of the 8th inning on a sacrifice fly by Kim Tae-gun.

KIA Tigers starting pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong became the winning pitcher in the second game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Postseason Korean Series against the Samsung Lions held on the 23rd at Gwangju Kia Champions Field, pitching 5.1 innings with 8 hits and 2 runs allowed (1 earned run).
Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In the top of the 9th inning, Samsung scored one run with three consecutive hits by Diaz, Kang Min-ho, and Kim Young-woong after two outs, but that was all. Park Byung-ho struck out swinging to end the game.

KIA starter Yang Hyeon-jong allowed 8 hits and 2 walks over 5.1 innings but minimized runs with experienced pitching. He allowed only 2 runs (1 earned) and earned the win.