The Samsung Lions, aided by strong performances from their pitchers, have captured their second consecutive win.
Samsung won 6-1 against the Kiwoom Heroes in the '2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League' game held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 21st. With this victory, Samsung successfully recorded two straight wins after a three-game losing streak, securing a winning series during the three-game set this week.
Starting pitcher Ariel Huerto recorded 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 4 while giving up 1 run, marking his 4th win of the season. The bullpen, consisting of Kim Jae-yoon (1 inning, no runs), Baek Jeong-hyeon (1 inning, no runs), and Kim Tae-hoon (1 inning, no runs), held the team’s lead.
Samsung's starting lineup consisted of Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Kim Seong-yun (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Lewin Diaz (designated hitter), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Kang Min-ho (catcher), Park Byung-ho (first baseman), Kim Young-woong (third baseman), and Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop). The Samsung lineup produced 8 hits. Kim Ji-chan shined with 2 hits in 3 at-bats, scoring 3 runs, and drawing 1 walk, effectively fulfilling the leadoff role. Diaz also contributed with 2 hits in 4 at-bats, driving in 2 runs and helping secure the victory.
The Kiwoom Heroes started with Song Seong-mun (third baseman), Lee Joo-hyung (center fielder), Im Byeong-wuk (left fielder), Ruben Cardenas (right fielder), Lee Hyeong-jong (designated hitter), Kim Tae-jin (shortstop), Kim Keon-hee (catcher), Jeon Tae-hyun (second baseman), and Oh Seon-jin (first baseman). Although Song Seong-mun swung for 3 hits in 4 at-bats and drove in 1 run, he could not prevent the team’s defeat.
Starting pitcher Ha Young-min pitched 7 innings, allowing 4 hits, 3 walks, and striking out 6 while giving up 3 runs, achieving a Quality Start Plus (7 innings and 3 earned runs or less), but he became the losing pitcher due to a lack of run support from the offense. The bullpen, consisting of Yang Ji-yul (⅓ inning, 2 earned runs), Kim Seon-ki (⅔ inning, no runs), and Park Jeong-hoon (1 inning, 1 earned run), also allowed runs, contributing to the disappointment. With this loss, Kiwoom fell into a three-game losing streak.
In the bottom of the first inning, lead-off batter Song Seong-mun advanced to second base with a hit and a passed ball. However, the middle order of Lee Joo-hyung, Im Byeong-wuk, and Cardenas remained silent with no outs and a runner on second, failing to capitalize on the opportunity to score first.
Samsung, which did not have a single baserunner until the third inning, had lead-off batter Kim Ji-chan draw a walk in the fourth inning, and Kim Seong-yun advanced him to second base with a sacrifice bunt, creating a chance with one out and runners on second base. Koo Ja-wook again drew a walk, and Diaz's ground out and Ryu Ji-hyuk's 2-run clutch hit allowed Samsung to take the lead. Kang Min-ho was caught with a foul fly out to shortstop.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, with one out, Jeon Tae-hyun reached second base with a walk and a stolen base. Oh Seon-jin hit a single, creating a situation with runners on first and third with one out, and Song Seong-mun made a run-scoring infield single to get one run back. Lee Joo-hyung struck out, and Im Byeong-wuk grounded out to first base, thus there was no chance to tie the score.
In the sixth inning, lead-off batter Kim Ji-chan reached base with a hit, and Kim Seong-yun's sacrifice bunt created a chance with one out and a runner on second base. Koo Ja-wook was retired on a ground ball to third, but Diaz drove in a run with a clutch hit, extending the lead. Ryu Ji-hyuk struck out. In the seventh, lead-off batter Kang Min-ho reached base with an infield single, and pinch hitter Yang Do-geun’s sacrifice bunt created a chance with one out and a runner on second base. Kim Young-woong reached base on an automatic intentional walk, but Lee Jae-hyun hit into a 5-4-3 double play, quickly erasing the opportunity to score.
In the eighth inning, lead-off batter Kim Ji-chan reached base with a hit, and Kim Seong-yun smashed a 1-run triple. Koo Ja-wook was retired on a ground ball to shortstop, but Diaz struck again with a run-scoring hit, widening the score gap to 5-1. Ryu Ji-hyuk and Kang Min-ho were both caught with fly balls to center field.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, with two outs, Im Byeong-wuk hit a single and Cardenas followed with a double to create a chance with two outs and runners on second and third. However, Lee Hyeong-jong grounded out to shortstop, failing to capitalize on the scoring opportunity.
In the ninth inning, lead-off batter Yang Do-geun drew a walk, and Kim Young-woong hit a double, creating a chance with no outs and runners on second and third. Lee Jae-hyun put the game away with a run-scoring sacrifice fly.
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