"I will carry this momentum until tomorrow."
The Samsung Lions caught their nemesis starting from the first game. They won 4-2 against the KIA Tigers in the 2025 professional baseball game held on July 2 at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.
They recorded 6 wins and 3 losses, recently achieving a three-game winning streak. In particular, they achieved a comeback win from the first game against their nemesis KIA, which had a record of 4 wins and 12 losses last year.
The driving force behind the victory was starter Choi Won-tae. He struck out 9 batters through the 6th inning, allowing only 4 hits, 3 walks, and 2 runs. The only run he allowed was a two-run homer by Patrick Wisdom in the third inning.
The bullpen was also solid. Baek Jung-hyun retired the side in the 7th inning, and Lee Jae-hee came in for the 8th inning, striking out 2 with 1 walk and no runs. Closer Kim Jae-yoon easily finished the 9th inning with a perfect frame.
In the lineup, Kim Young-woong delivered a 2-run tying hit with one out and runners on 2nd and 3rd base in the 4th inning, and Park Byung-ho, batting fourth, hit a go-ahead double in the 8th inning with one out and runners on 1st and 2nd base.
Right fielder Kim Heon-gon's catch of Han Joon-soo's double, and Kim Ji-chan's spectacular catch of Choi Hyung-woo's double also contributed to the victory.
Manager Park Jin-man noted, "Although Choi Won-tae gave up 2 runs on a home run, he pitched well until the planned 6th inning, and the players who came in from the bullpen and as closers all did their roles well."
He added, "This was a game where Kim Young-woong and Park Byung-ho scored when it was essential to win. I will prepare well to carry this momentum into tomorrow so we can win again."
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