Gwangju:James Naile delivered an impressive performance to lead the Kia Tigers to a 5-1 victory over the LG Twins in the first game of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason series.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Naile pitched seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out six batters in front of a sellout crowd of 18,900 at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field. The right-hander's effective use of his signature sweeper pitch was crucial in subduing the Twins' batters.
Despite a solo home run by Song Chan-eui in the second inning, Naile received ample support from his team. Harold Castro and Kim Do-yeong each contributed solo home runs to secure the Tigers' win. Naile encountered some challenges during the game but managed to navigate through them, particularly in the sixth inning when he expertly executed a strikeout and a double play to escape a potential threat.
Reflecting on the victory, Naile expressed pride in the team's cohesive effort, stating that strong pitching, hitting, and defense were key to the win. He also emphasized the importance of his previous experience in the 2024 Korean Series in preparing for this postseason, adding that he was focused on execution rather than past performances against the Twins.
Kim Do-yeong's performance, including an additional home run in the eighth inning, received special praise from Naile, who expressed his admiration for his teammate's ability to perform under pressure. Naile humorously noted a celebratory gesture with Kim, reminiscent of a previous celebration with pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong during the 2024 series, hoping for a similar outcome this year.