Kia Tigers and Kiwoom Heroes could not reach a conclusion.
The two teams played the 3rd game of the 2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League midweek series on the 29th at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, but they ended in a draw after a fierce battle that lasted until the 11th inning of extra time. Kia achieved 2 wins and 1 draw in the midweek series, recording a total of 26 wins, 1 draw, and 26 losses. Kiwoom failed to escape a 9-game losing streak after wasting a bases-loaded opportunity with 2 outs in the top of the 11th.
Kia showed cohesion after 2 outs in the 1st inning. Oh Seon-woo hit a clean single to center field, followed by Choi Hyung-woo's single to right field. An error in the opponent's relay throw led to opportunities on 2nd and 3rd base. Kim Seok-hwan stepped up to the plate and hit a clean single to center field, bringing all the runners home. It was a good start with a 2-0 lead for the second consecutive day.
Afterwards, Kia was stifled by Kiwoom starter Kim Yoon-ha but found a clue in the 4th inning. Kim Seok-hwan's ground ball hit to shortstop and a throwing error created a no outs, 2nd base opportunity, and Hwang Dae-in's double to left-center brought him in, putting Kia ahead 3-2. However, Hwang Dae-in was thrown out while trying to reach 3rd base, missing a valuable opportunity for an additional run.
Kiwoom managed to get on base against Kia starter James Neill in every inning, but lacked concentration. They failed to capitalize on a no outs, 1st and 2nd base opportunity in the 1st, and in the 2nd inning, a ground double play occurred with no outs and 1st base occupied. In the 3rd, after 2 outs, Lee Joo-hyung's timely hit and Kim Keon-hee's double tied the game at 2-2. However, in the 5th inning, a ground double play also occurred with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd.
Kia could not definitively extend its lead. In the 5th inning, Kim Ho-ryeong drew a walk, and Park Chan-ho hit a ball that slipped through the 3rd baseman for a no outs, 1st and 2nd base opportunity. Kim Gyu-sung failed to execute a bunt and was out on a pop-up, and in the following 1 out, 1st and 3rd base situation, Park Chan-ho failed to steal 2nd base. They could not score additional runs, and a nail-biting one-point game continued.
In the 7th inning, Kiwoom took advantage of Kia pitcher Choi Ji-min's pitching struggles, as Song Seong-mun and Choi Joo-hwan drew walks, seizing an opportunity to reverse the game with no outs, 1st and 2nd base. Cardines and Lee Joo-hyung were retired by a ground out and a strikeout, but Kim Keon-hee stayed alive with an infield single, allowing 2nd base runner Choi Joo-hwan to dash home, tying the game at 3-3. The battle continued into extra innings with a fierce bullpen duel.
Both teams' starters were not fortunate. Kia's Neill pitched 6 innings, throwing 96 pitches, allowing 8 hits, 3 walks, striking out 2, and giving up 2 runs, but failed to secure a win due to the bullpen allowing the tying run in the 7th inning. Kiwoom's Kim Yoon-ha also pitched well for 6 innings, throwing 103 pitches, allowing 6 hits, 2 walks, striking out 5, and giving up 3 runs (1 earned run), but failed to achieve his first win. He could not escape a 14-game losing streak that has continued since last year (9 losses this year).
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