The eagle has begun to soar again. Hanwha defeated KIA in overtime to closely chase the first-runner LG.
The Hanwha Eagles beat the KIA Tigers 3-2 in an away game in 2025 professional baseball league held at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on Sunday. Chae Eun-seong's defense and Lee Jin-young's timely hit at the top of the 11th inning were crucial as the team emerged from the crisis of loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning.
With the victory, Hanwha had 37 wins and 26 losses, approaching the top-ranked LG Twins, who lost 1-4 to Kiwoom, by 0.5 game difference. The ranking may change depending on the outcome of the game on Tuesday.
Hanwha scored the first run in its offense in the top of the fourth inning. After hitting a left-handed hit off KIA starter Adam Oler, Ha Joo-seok stole second and secured a chance with two outs and a runner on the second base. Later, Lee Jin-young hit a timely hit to left to take the lead. Later, Hanwha, which combined Noh Si-hwan's double to the left-field line and Choi In-ho's throw to create a two-out full base opportunity, widened the gap to 2-0 due to Choi Jae-hoon's timely hit to center field.
KIA also had a fierce counterattack. Hanwha was in danger of losing a point due to starter Hwang Joon-seo, who threw well in the bottom of the fifth inning, allowing one out and runners on the first and second bases due to back-to-back walks due to ball control difficulties, and Chae Eun-seong, the first baseman, threw Choi Won-joon's hit ball by mistake. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the main phenomenon of the relief mound was shaken, allowing a 2-2 tie.
Since then, the two teams have continued a tight race by pouring out bullpens, and went into extra time because they couldn't decide the game during regular innings. Hanwha is in danger of finishing after sixth pitcher Kim Jong-soo got a hit to the left by the first batter Park Chan-ho in the bottom of the 10th inning of extra time. Kim Jong-soo gave up a walk to Hong Jong-pyo's sacrifice bunt and Patrick Wisdom, and he loaded the bases with one out with four automatic pitches following a wild pitch during Choi Hyung-woo's at-bat.
In a desperate situation where a fly to the outfield allowed a game to be played, Kim allowed his follow-up batter Oh Sun-woo to hit a sharp pitch towards the first base. At that time, first baseman Chae Eun-seong hit the ball with animal sense, then stepped all the way to the first base to complete a double play. Kia's first baseman Choi Hyung-woo was out due to his unnecessary base lead, which was not related to the outcome of the game. 메이저사이트
After overcoming the crisis, Hanwha gained strength from its offense in the top of the 11th inning. With two outs and a runner on the first base, which was made up of Moon Hyun-bin's heavy hit, pinch runner Lee Sang-hyuk settled on the second base taking advantage of the wild pitch of the changed pitcher Yoon Joong-hyun. Later, Lee Jin-young hit a timely hit by hitting the fifth curve at the ball count of 2B-1S. Hanwha was placed on first base with two outs when Kim Jong-soo gave up a straight walk to Han Jun-su in the last defense in the bottom of the 11th inning, but the changed pitcher Kim Bum-soo caught Choi Won-joon with an outfield fly ball.