The KIA Tigers secured a 5-1 victory over the LG Twins at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, cutting the deficit in the KBO League standings and tightening the race for third place. Guided by manager Lee Bum-ho, the Tigers improved their record to 72 wins, 2 draws, and 58 losses, moving within two games of manager Yeom Kyung-yeop’s LG side, who sit at 75 wins, 1 draw, and 57 defeats.
The defeat extends a two-game skid for the Twins and places immediate pressure on their hold of third place in the league table. KIA starter James Neil delivered a commanding performance on the mound, keeping LG’s offense in check over six scoreless innings to pick up his 12th win of the season against 7 losses.
Early Power Sets the Tone in Gwangju
KIA established an early edge in the second inning. In the bottom of the second, right fielder Na Sung-fan crushed a solo home run travelling 120 meters deep into the stands. The blast marked Na’s 29th home run of the campaign, energizing the home crowd at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.
The Tigers added to their lead in the third frame. After Park Jung-woo singled with two outs and successfully stole second base, teammate Han Jun-su drove him home with an RBI single into right-center field. LG starter Im Chan-kyu struggled to contain KIA’s aggressive base-running and timely hitting, ultimately lasting 5.1 innings while surrendering seven hits, one home run, and four runs to absorb his sixth loss against 14 wins.
Tigers Break Game Open in the Sixth
KIA manufactured a decisive three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull away from the Twins. Harold Castro opened the frame with a center-field single, followed by another single from Na Sung-fan. After Kim Sun-bin drew a walk to load the bases with one out, an opposing wild pitch allowed Castro to cross the plate.
Later in the inning with two outs and runners on second and third, Kim Ho-ryung slapped a two-run single up the middle, extending the lead to 5-0 and putting the game firmly out of reach for the visitors.
Pitching Staff Seals the Victory
James Neil anchored the KIA pitching staff by throwing 91 pitches across six innings. He surrendered just five hits, issued a single walk, and recorded six strikeouts while holding the Twins scoreless. LG managed a lone run in the top of the ninth inning off Lee Eui-li when Park Dong-won drew a walk, but the late surge fell short.
Offensively, Na Sung-fan led the charge by going 3-for-4 with a home run and one RBI. Kim Ho-ryung contributed two RBIs on a single in four at-bats, while Park Jung-woo finished with two hits in four trips to the plate, and Han Jun-su added an RBI single.
LG’s offense sputtered throughout the afternoon, collecting only eight total hits and failing to mount consistent pressure against the KIA pitching rotation.
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