Kia Tigers successfully achieved revenge with their ace.
Kia won 3-1 against the Samsung Lions in the second match between the teams held at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 3rd. Ace James Nail pitched 7 innings without allowing a run, and the bullpen also did not permit any runs. Byun Woo-hyuk drove in all 3 RBIs to lead the victory.
Kia set the starting lineup with Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Park Jae-hyun (center fielder), Na Sung-bum (designated hitter), Wisdom (first baseman), Lee Woo-sung (left fielder), Byun Woo-hyuk (third baseman), Hong Jong-pyo (second baseman), Kim Tae-gun (catcher), and Kim Gyu-sung (shortstop). Cleanup hitter Choi Hyung-woo was rested for one game. High school rookie Park Jae-hyun made his second start.
Samsung, aiming for a fourth consecutive win, configured their lineup with Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop), Gu Ja-wook (left fielder), Diaz (first baseman), Kang Min-ho (catcher), Kim Young-woong (third baseman), Park Byeong-ho (designated hitter), Kim Heon-gon (right fielder), and Ryu Ji-hyeok (second baseman). Kang Min-ho, who had been ill, returned to the lineup after just one game. Diaz was positioned fourth.
It was a matchup of aces between Kia's James Nail and Samsung's Ariel Hurado. Everyone expected it to be a pitching duel. However, Hurado exhibited sensitivity to the Gwangju ABS zone, causing his control to falter. While Nail stood firmly on the mound, Kia took advantage of the opportunity to seize the initiative.
Kia grabbed the first breakthrough with Lee Woo-sung's leadoff double to left field in the bottom of the second inning. Immediately, Byun Woo-hyuk responded with a timely hit that fell in front of the center fielder, putting Kia ahead 1-0. Byun Woo-hyuk shone again in the third inning. After two outs, Na Sung-bum, Wisdom, and Lee Woo-sung all drew walks against Hurado. When the outside strike zone for right-handed batters was not called, Hurado reacted sensitively.
Eventually, it led to a bases-loaded situation, and Byun Woo-hyuk stepped to the plate, hitting a bloop single in front of the left fielder to bring two runners home. The score stretched to 3-0. However, they could not capitalize on Lee Woo-sung's double in the sixth inning. With one out and a runner on third, Hong Jong-pyo made a routine ground ball out to the pitcher and failed to bring him in.
Nail delivered a brilliant performance. He utilized his primary weapon, the sweeper, to stay on the mound until the 7th inning. He allowed 3 hits, 2 walks, and struck out 2 over 7 innings without allowing a run. With a fastball hitting up to 151 km/h, along with a sweeper, cutter, and changeup, he became the key figure in securing the win. This marked 18 innings without allowing a run this year, and 34 innings without a run if including 3 games from last year. Jo Sang-woo also pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Samsung seized the opportunity when Kia's closer Jung Hae-young came in during the 9th inning. Diaz's routine ground ball was missed by opposing shortstop Kim Gyu-sung. Then, Kang Min-ho hit a double to left-center, narrowing the gap by one run. After one out, Park Byeong-ho drew a walk, creating a chance to equalize, but the two batters remained silent, failing to capitalize.
Samsung's 4th inning offense was regrettable. After one out, Kang Min-ho was hit by a pitch, and Kim Young-woong followed with a hit to right, setting up a 1st and 3rd opportunity for a comeback, but the subsequent batters went silent. Hurado pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts while yielding 3 runs, doing his part. Though the batting lineup struggled, it was his third consecutive quality start since the season opener.
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