KIA Reaches 1 Win Away from 'V12'... Hits Grand Slam in Game 4 for 9-2 Victory

KIA, 94.1% Championship Probability
Starter Neil Pitches 5⅔ Innings Allowing 2 Runs
Batting Lineup Also Explodes
Socrates Hits 2-Run Homer + 4 RBIs
Kim Sun-bin Records 3 Hits in 5 At-Bats

The KIA Tigers, the team with the most championships in Korean professional baseball, defeated the Samsung Lions in Game 4 of the KBO Korean Series on the 26th, bringing them one win away from their 12th overall championship.

On this day, at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, KIA triumphed over the Samsung Lions 9-2 in Game 4 of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Korean Series (best-of-seven). With Kim Tae-gun hitting a grand slam among other strong performances, KIA improved their series record to 3-1. They need just one more win in Games 5 to 7 to claim their first championship in seven years since 2017.

Historically, teams leading 3-1 after Game 4 in the Korean Series have gone on to win the championship 16 out of 17 times (94.1%). The only exception was in 2013, when Samsung overcame a 1-3 deficit against the Doosan Bears to win the series 4-3.

KIA Tigers players are greeting fans after their 9-2 victory over the Samsung Lions in Game 4 of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Postseason Korean Series held on the afternoon of the 26th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

This game also featured a starting pitcher duel between James Naile (KIA Tigers) and Won Tae-in (Samsung Lions), who were the starters in Game 1, with KIA scoring the first run.

In the top of the 1st inning, KIA’s leadoff hitter Park Chan-ho reached base with a sharp infield hit, and Kim Sun-bin followed with a double that hit the top of the left-field fence, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Although the next batter Kim Do-young was caught on a foul fly to third base, Na Sung-bum grounded out to second base, allowing the runner on third to score the first run.

In the top of the 3rd inning, Kim Sun-bin opened with a single to left field, followed by a walk from Kim Do-young and a single to right field by Na Sung-bum, loading the bases with no outs. Then Socrates Brito hit an RBI single to center field, extending the lead to 3-0.

With one out and the bases loaded, Byun Woo-hyuk popped out on a foul fly to the catcher, but the next batter Kim Tae-gun hit his fifth grand slam in Korean Series history, instantly pushing the score to 7-0. Kim Tae-gun’s grand slam was the first in the Korean Series since Lee Beom-ho, the current KIA manager, hit one for Doosan in Game 5 of the 2017 series.

Samsung scored two runs in the bottom of the 4th and 5th innings: Kim Young-woong’s timely hit with runners on first and third brought in one run in the 4th, and Lee Jae-hyun hit a solo home run to left field off Naile’s first pitch in the 5th, adding another run.

KIA extended their lead in the top of the 6th inning after one out when Na Sung-bum singled to right field, followed by Socrates hitting a two-run homer to right field stands off Samsung’s fifth pitcher Choi Chae-heung, making the score 9-2.

On the afternoon of the 26th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, the 4th game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Postseason Korean Series between the KIA Tigers and Samsung Lions took place. In the top of the 3rd inning with two outs and bases loaded, KIA's Kim Tae-gun hit a grand slam home run and is being congratulated by teammates such as Socrates and Na Sung-bum.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Among the 13 hits KIA recorded in this game, besides Kim Tae-gun’s grand slam, Socrates contributed 2 hits including a home run and 4 RBIs in 3 at-bats, and Kim Sun-bin recorded 3 hits in 5 at-bats, igniting the offense.

Naile pitched 5 innings allowing 1 run in Game 1 on the 21st, and on this day, he struck out 7 batters over 5⅔ innings, giving up 6 hits and 2 runs to earn the win.

On the other hand, Won Tae-in pitched 5 innings with 2 hits and no runs in Game 1 on the 21st, but struggled early in this game, throwing 78 pitches in just 2⅓ innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 walks, and 6 runs, taking the loss.

On the afternoon of the 26th, the 4th game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Postseason Korean Series between the KIA Tigers and Samsung Lions was held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. Lee Beom-ho, manager of KIA, is watching the game.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

KIA manager Lee Beom-ho said after the game, "In Game 1, all our hitters aggressively attacked Won Tae-in but didn’t see much success. We thought he would use the same pattern today, and our hitters prepared well to handle his low pitches," he said.

He added, "However, there is no guarantee that many home runs will be hit in Gwangju, where Games 5, 6, and 7 will be held. We will focus on hitting with concentration rather than thinking about home runs."

Kim Tae-gun, KIA’s starting catcher who hit the grand slam, said after the game, "For the past 4 to 5 years, I have been discouraged by criticism about my hitting. At the same time, I wanted to prove that I am not a 'plant hitter' but show results."

Kim Tae-gun also said, "After serving in the police baseball team and returning, I was classified as a 'backup catcher,' which made me determined to prepare harder. This year, I want to be the championship-winning catcher."

Game 5 of the Korean Series will be held in Gwangju on the 28th after a day of rest.

KIA player Kim Tae-gun is celebrating after hitting a grand slam in the 4th game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Postseason Korean Series between the Samsung Lions and KIA Tigers held on the 26th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. He was also selected as the Daily MVP. [Image source=Yonhap News]