GWANGJU: The Kia Tigers secured an 8-3 victory against the Samsung Lions, taking a decisive 2-0 lead in the Korean Series and moving closer to their first South Korean baseball championship in seven years. The Tigers capitalized on an explosive first inning, scoring five runs, and maintained their momentum with strong pitching performances, further solidifying their dominance in the series.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Tigers launched an aggressive offensive against Lions starter Hwang Dong-jae, scoring five runs on five hits in the opening inning at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field. Kim Do-yeong, a standout during the regular season, added to the lead with a solo home run in the second inning. Yang Hyeon-jong, the 2017 Korean Series MVP, delivered a solid outing, allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings in front of a sellout crowd of 19,300.
The game followed the conclusion of the suspended Game 1, which the Tigers won 5-1 after it was halted due to rain. The Tigers’ strong performance in the seventh and ei
ghth innings of Game 1 carried over into Game 2, further extending their series lead. The series will now shift to Daegu Samsung Lions Park for Games 3 and 4, with the possibility of returning to Gwangju for Games 5, 6, and 7 if necessary.
In the first inning of Game 2, the Tigers swiftly took control. Park Chan-ho’s walk and Socrates Brito’s single set the stage for a flurry of hits, including an RBI single from Choi Hyoung-woo and a two-run single from Lee Woo-sung. Hwang struggled in his Korean Series debut, facing just eight batters before being replaced by Lee Seung-min, who also failed to curb the Tigers’ offensive surge.
The Lions managed to score in the fourth inning due to a Tigers error and strategic baserunning, but the Tigers responded with additional runs, including a sacrifice fly from Kim Sun-bin in the fifth. Despite the Lions’ efforts, the Tigers’ bullpen, led by Lee Jun-young and Jang Hyun-sik, secured the win with effective relief pitching. Jung Hai-young, who closed Game 1, gave up a lat
e run in the ninth but ensured the victory for the Tigers.