DAEGU: The Samsung Lions unleashed a powerful display of hitting, launching five home runs to defeat the LG Twins 10-5, bringing them one victory away from the Korean Series in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason game on Tuesday. Lewin Diaz and Kim Hun-gon led the charge with two homers each, while Kim Young-woong added one, securing a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the game drew a packed stadium of 23,550 spectators, witnessing a historic performance as Diaz and Kim became only the second pair of teammates to hit back-to-back homers in consecutive at-bats during a KBO postseason game. The Lions, who had previously hit three homers in their first game victory on Sunday, outperformed themselves in this critical match-up, which had been postponed by a day due to rain.
The Lions’ starting pitcher, Won Tae-in, delivered a solid 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on seven hits, marking his first career postseason win.
The Twins initially took the lead in the first inning, but the Lions responded swiftly. A significant moment in the game occurred when Koo Ja-wook, who had been suffering from flu-like symptoms, aggravated a knee injury and was subsequently ruled out for the next two games.
The offensive onslaught by the Lions continued throughout the game, with pivotal homers by Kim Hun-gon and Diaz in the sixth and seventh innings respectively, which decisively widened the lead. Despite a late rally by the Twins, including a three-run homer by Kim Hyun-soo in the ninth inning, the Lions’ lead remained insurmountable.
The Lions are now poised to clinch their spot in the Korean Series if they win Game 3, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Twins’ home ground, Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.