“It would have been worth it to tie the game, but I’ll take the upset.”

KIA Tigers manager Kim Jong-kook expressed his gratitude to Lee Chang-jin for coming in as a pinch-hitter and hitting the game-winning hit.

KIA will play the final game of a three-game weekend series against the LG Twins of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 28th. The day before, KIA snapped a two-game losing streak with a 6-3 victory over LG behind ace Yang Hyun-jong.

The fourth inning was the decider. Trailing 1-3, Byun Woo-hyuk singled to bring in a run, and with runners on first and second, Han Seung-taek brought up pinch-hitter Lee Chang-jin, who lined a three-pitch fastball from LG starter Kim Yoon-sik into the gap in right-centre to bring in both runners, giving KIA a 4-3 lead. Lee’s hit would prove to be the game-winner as Kia held on for the win.스포츠토토

“We should have scored at least one more run when we had the chance. I thought it was a chance to turn the tide, and Chang-jin did a great job,” he said, adding, “Even if it was a tie, it would have been worth it to play LG, but I think he was a factor in the victory by hitting the game-winning hit.”

Lee Chang-jin, who had reached base in every at-bat the previous day with a walk and two strikeouts, was in the starting lineup for the first time since 13 May against Doosan in Jamsil. KIA lined up Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Ko Jong-wook (left fielder), Socrates (centre fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Kim Sun-bin (second baseman), Lee Chang-jin (right fielder), Byun Woo-hyuk (third baseman), Hwang Dae-in (first baseman) and Han Seung-taek (catcher) against LG starter Im Chan-kyu. Shawn Anderson will be the starting pitcher.