The KIA Tigers defeated the SSG Landers, achieving their sixth consecutive victory.

KIA won 5-4 after a comeback against SSG in the 2025 KBO League game held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 22nd. Kim Seok-hwan came in as a pinch hitter and hit a crucial two-run home run that marked his first home run in three years.

Nail pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing 3 hits (1 home run), 2 walks, striking out 5, and giving up 3 runs. Shin Dong-young made his debut with a scoreless ⅔ inning in relief. Jeong Hae-young recorded a save in the 9th inning.

SSG starter Anderson pitched 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 4 walks, striking out 9, and giving up 1 run.

KIA's starting lineup included Lee Chang-jin (left fielder), Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Oh Seon-woo (first baseman), Wisdom (third baseman), Ko Jong-wook (designated hitter), Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Kim Tae-gun (catcher), and Park Min (second baseman). Choi Hyung-woo, who hit a three-run home run against Kim Gwang-hyun the previous day, was excluded from the starting lineup.

Manager Lee Beom-ho noted, 'Choi Hyung-woo was given rest today. He has been performing well but hasn’t had time to rest. If a chance comes up, I will bring him in as a pinch hitter.'

SSG's lineup included Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Jung Jun-jae (second baseman), Eredia (left fielder), Han Yu-seom (designated hitter), Ko Myung-jun (first baseman), Park Sung-han (shortstop), Jo Hyung-woo (catcher), Choi Jun-woo (right fielder), and Seok Jeong-woo (third baseman). Kim Seong-wook, a trade acquisition, was excluded from the first-team roster due to discomfort in his side.

KIA's Kim Tae-gun led off the 3rd inning with a single. Park Min failed to advance him with a sacrifice bunt and struck out. With 1 out and 1 runner on base, Lee Chang-jin drew a walk to advance the runner into scoring position. Park Chan-ho struck out, and Oh Seon-woo wasted the chance with a ground ball to shortstop.

KIA's Ko Jong-wook drew a walk to lead off the 4th inning. Choi Won-jun hit a single to right to create a chance on 1st and 2nd base. However, Kim Ho-ryeong struck out on a 151 km/h fastball, and Kim Tae-gun struck out on a 128 km/h curveball.

KIA succeeded in the third attempt in the 4th inning. With 2 outs, Park Chan-ho's ground ball took a bad hop in front of the third baseman and went through, turning into a fortunate double. Oh Seon-woo then walked to reach base. Wisdom hit a timely hit to left that pierced through the infield, allowing KIA to score the first run.

KIA's starting pitcher Nail threw a no-hitter through the 4th inning. In the 2nd inning, after 1 out, he allowed Go Myung-jun to reach base on hit by pitch, but the inning ended when the baserunner was thrown out attempting to steal second on a 2 outs, 1st base situation. The 3rd and 4th innings ended in consecutive 1-2-3.

SSG's Go Myung-jun reached base with a scratched infield hit along the 3rd baseline after 1 out in the 5th inning. Park Sung-han's well-hit ball was caught on a diving catch by shortstop Park Chan-ho, who threw to second to force out the runner at 1st. The second baseman then threw to first to complete a double play.

SSG's Kim Ho-ryeong attempted a surprise bunt down the 3rd baseline for an infield hit after 1 out in the 6th inning. A baserunner successfully stole second during Kim Tae-gun's at-bat. Kim Tae-gun walked on four balls after a 3-ball count.

KIA added another run in the 7th inning. After starter Anderson, SSG brought in Kim Min as the second pitcher. Leading off the inning, Park Chan-ho was thrown out on a ground ball to shortstop, and Oh Seon-woo hit a 142 km/h fastball over the center field wall for a solo home run (his 8th of the season). KIA took a 2-0 lead.

Then, Wisdom reached base with a single to right. KIA sent Choi Hyung-woo in as a pinch hitter. SSG replaced Kim Min with left-handed relief pitcher Park Si-hu. Choi Hyung-woo hit a single to right, creating a chance on 1st and 3rd base. Choi Won-jun hit a ground ball to shortstop, leading to a double play with an out at 2nd and 1st base.

In the bottom of the 7th, SSG's Jung Jun-jae reached base with a walk after 1 out. Eredia then hit a single to center to create a chance on 1st and 2nd base. After hitting the single, Eredia ran to first and turned back his head towards the home plate as he appeared to say something.

The umpires gathered on the field to discuss something. SSG manager Lee Sueng-yong came out of the dugout to talk to the umpires. After a lengthy appeal, he returned. The umpires then explained, 'Eredia was ejected for using profanity towards the home plate umpire as he was exiting the field.' Following Eredia's ejection, a substitute runner, Chae Hyun-woo, took his place at first base.

After a brief halt, the game resumed. Han Yu-seom hit Nail's first pitch (147 km/h) over the right center field wall for a three-run home run, turning the game in SSG's favor at 3-2.

KIA responded with a home run. In the 8th inning, after 1 out, pinch hitter Han Jun-soo drew a walk on the 8th pitch. Pinch hitter Kim Seok-hwan hit a two-run home run that drove over the right center field wall on a forkball (135 km/h) from Noh Kyung-eun, reclaiming the lead.

KIA reversed the score to 4-3. This was the first home run in 1064 days since July 24, 2022, against Lotte.

In the bottom of the 8th, Jeon Sang-hyeon came in as a relief pitcher for KIA. He struck out lead-off batter Jo Hyung-woo. Choi Jun-woo hit a single to left center. With 1 out on 1st and 2nd base, pinch hitter Oh Tae-gon was retired on a pop-out to second, and Choi Ji-hoon popped out to center field to end the inning.

In the top of the 9th, KIA's Wisdom and Choi Hyung-woo both drew consecutive walks against SSG closer Jo Byeong-hyeon. A ground ball by Choi Won-jun led to a situation with 1 out and runners at 2nd and 3rd base. The second baseman caught the ball but attempted to tag the runner at first and then threw to first. Kim Ho-ryeong hit a sacrifice fly to center, expanding the lead to 5-3.

In the bottom of the 9th, closer Jeong Hae-young took the mound. After failing to protect a 2-run lead the previous day, he secured the win today. He allowed lead-off batter Jung Jun-jae to reach base on hit by pitch and struck out pinch hitter Lee Ji-young. He then allowed a single to Han Yu-seom, placing runners on 1st and 3rd base. A sacrifice fly to center from Go Myung-jun cut the lead to 5-4. He secured the final out against Park Sung-han, ending the game.

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