The KIA Tigers secured a 6-5 victory over the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, claiming third place in the 2026 KBO League regular season standings, according to match reports. Manager Lee 범-ho’s Tigers capitalized on late-inning offense during the away fixture, improving their record to 74 wins, 2 ties, and 61 losses. Meanwhile, the defeat dropped manager Yeom Gyeong-yeop’s LG Twins into fourth place at 75 wins, 1 tie, and 62 losses amidst a seven-game losing skid.
Early Power and Defensive Lulls Set the Tone
The Twins struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Austin Dean drove a 110-meter two-run home run to left field off KIA starting pitcher Eigawa Shosei, following a fielding miscue on Park Hae-min’s single. The milestone blast marked Austin’s 40th home run of the season, making him the first player in franchise history—including the MBC Blue Dragons era—to reach the 40-homer threshold in a single campaign. KIA answered in the top of the second. Following a walk and stolen base by Kim Sun-bin and a hit-by-pitch to Han Jun-su, Park Min delivered a two-run single off a misplayed grounder by the third baseman.
Lee Jae-won Answers With a Solo Shot
LG extended its lead in the fourth inning when Lee Jae-won launched a 135-meter solo home run over the left-field wall. The drive traveled off the bat at an exit velocity of 191.9 kilometers per hour, prompting a video review requested by the KIA bench that ultimately upheld the home run call. Despite the blast, the Twins struggled to capitalize on further scoring opportunities, squandering a bases-loaded chance in the fifth inning when Lee Jae-won grounded into a double play against the KIA bullpen.
Late Innings Seal Third Place for KIA
KIA broke through in the eighth inning. With two runners aboard following a walk to Kim Do-young and a single by Harold Castro, Na Sung-bbum delivered an RBI single to center field. LG responded in the bottom half of the frame when Park Dong-won hit a two-run homer—his 13th of the season—over the left-field wall to reclaim momentum. The Tigers mounted a decisive response in the top of the ninth, plating runs via consecutive RBI singles from Kim Tae-gun and Lee Ho-yeon before Castro added a sacrifice fly to secure the one-run margin.
Tigers Beat Twins to Move up in Standings
KIA starter Eigawa Shosei worked 3.1 innings, surrendering five hits, two home runs, and three runs while striking out four batters across 66 pitches. A parade of relievers—including Lee Eui-lee, Lee Tae-yang, Sung Young-tak, Cho Sang-woo, and Jung Hae-young—closed out the remaining frames to protect the narrow lead. The victory vaults the Tigers past the Twins in the standings.
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