The KIA Tigers secured their standing in the upper tier of the 2026 KBO League standings with a 12-4 victory over the Lotte Giants at Sajik Baseball Stadium, according to MK Sports. Manager Lee Bum-ho’s squad capitalized on early power and a late-inning offensive surge to claim their 76th win of the regular season, solidifying third place in the league table.
Kia Tigers Open Strong in Busan
KIA wasted little time establishing control against Lotte starting pitcher Kim Tae-gyun. In the top of the first inning, leadoff hitter Park Jae-hyun launched a 130-meter home run over the center-field wall, marking his 18th homer of the season. The early blow gave the Tigers an immediate edge on the road in Busan.
Lotte answered in the third inning against KIA starter Yang Hyeon-jong. With two outs, Roh Seung-yeop hit a solo home run travelling 115 meters—his eighth of the campaign. Han Dong-hee followed with an RBI single to left field following a double by Go Seung-min, briefly putting the Giants ahead.
Big Innings Secure the Lopsided Win
The lead changed hands in the fourth inning when the Tigers mounted a multi-run rally. Following a double by Na Sung-bum and a single by Han Jun-su, Kim Gyu-seong and Ha Ju-suk delivered consecutive run-scoring hits. Park Jung-woo added a two-run single later in the frame to break the game open.
KIA added insurance later in the contest, breaking away with a seven-run explosion in the eighth inning. Kim Do-yeong hit a three-run double, while Ha Ju-suk contributed a two-run double later in the frame. The Tigers finished with 12 runs on a heavy accumulation of hits, putting the game out of reach.
Yang Hyeon-jong Earns Victory Number Twelve
On the mound, Yang Hyeon-jong delivered five innings of work to earn his 12th win against six losses this season. Yang threw 80 pitches, allowing eight hits, one home run, and three runs while striking out three batters.
Lotte’s pitching staff struggled throughout the afternoon, as starter Kim Tae-gyun lasted just 3.2 innings while giving up nine hits and issuing seven walks. Despite the lopsided score, Lotte’s Victor Reyes recorded two hits in five at-bats, pushing his season total to 203 hits and surpassing his 2024 mark of 202. The milestone came on the same day KT Wiz player Choi Won-jun reached 204 hits to lead the league in that category.
KIA Tigers Maintain Third Place in KBO Standings
With the win, the KIA Tigers hold a record of 76 wins, 2 draws, and 62 defeats, firmly maintaining third place in the KBO standings. Meanwhile, the Lotte Giants dropped their fourth game, falling to 61 wins, 3 draws, and 76 losses.
Offensively, KIA was led by Kim Do-yeong, who tallied three hits and three RBIs in six at-bats, and Ha Ju-suk, who drove in three runs with two hits. Park Jung-woo, Park Jae-hyun, Na Sung-bum, and Kim Gyu-seong also provided support to back up Yang’s pitching performance.
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