They played a close match within a 3-point margin for 5 consecutive games. Still, achieving a winning series completed their weekly win rate at 50%.
The KIA Tigers, led by manager Lee Beom-ho, won 4-2 against the NC Dinos in the regular season of professional baseball held at Changwon NC Park on the 15th. This completed a winning series in the 3-game away series against NC.
Despite suffering a losing series of 1 win and 2 losses in the home series against Samsung earlier in the week, they made a comeback in the weekend series, finishing with 3 wins and 3 losses for the week and a 50% win rate.
The performance of starting pitcher Nail was dazzling that day. Nail threw 111 pitches over 6⅔ innings, allowing only 1 hit, 1 walk, and 1 hit by pitch while striking out 9 and giving up 1 run before leaving the mound. He recorded the most pitches in a single game and led the match.
In the batting lineup, Choi Hyung-woo hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the 3rd inning with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd base, taking the lead, and they added more runs in the 7th by capitalizing on a wild pitch from the opposing battery.
In the bottom of the 7th, they allowed a 2-run homer to Kim Hwi-jip, but Jo Sang-woo, who came on with 1 out and a runner on 1st base, shut down the inning with 1⅓ scoreless innings up to the 8th. Jo Sang-woo, who came in with 1 out and a runner on 1st base, struck out pinch hitter Oh Young-su to end the inning.
In the 8th, after 1 out, they walked Kwon Hee-dong, allowed a single to Park Min-woo, and hit Davidson with a pitch, creating a bases-loaded situation with 1 out. However, they struck out Park Gun-woo and got Son Ah-seop to pop out to center field, overcoming the self-made scoring threat. Closer Jeong Hae-young maintained the 2-point lead in the 9th, completing the winning series.
They played a close match within a 3-point margin for 5 consecutive games since the match against Samsung in Gwangju on the 11th. The fatigue level of the players was undoubtedly significant. Still, KIA overcame the close matches.
After the game, manager Lee Beom-ho said, "Nail pitched like the ace, managing to handle long innings with powerful pitches, even with two starts a week. I also want to commend Jo Sang-woo for his focused pitching, blocking 1⅓ innings without allowing any runs, despite facing challenges."
He added, "Choi Hyung-woo's performance stood out in the lineup. He led the attack well by hitting a decisive 3-run homer when runs were needed."
Furthermore, he bowed his head, stating, "I want to thank all the players who have worked hard this week. I also appreciate the fans who remained until the end to cheer for us despite the bad weather."
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