Daejeon: The Hanwha Eagles achieved a remarkable late comeback, scoring six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to overturn a two-run deficit and defeat the LG Twins 7-3. This victory marked their first win in the Korean Series on Wednesday at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Eagles’ rally was capped by a decisive two-run double from Sim Woo-jun, which gave the Eagles the lead after losing the first two games of the best-of-seven Korea Baseball Organization championship series. This victory gives the Eagles a fighting chance to become only the third team in history to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the Korean Series and claim the title.
The Eagles initially took the lead in the game, capitalizing on a fielding error by the Twins’ left fielder Kim Hyun-soo, which allowed Lee Jin-young to score from second base. However, the Twins responded quickly, leveling the score with a line drive from Shin Min-jae. Kim Hyun-soo later atoned for his earlier mistake by hitting a solo home run to put the Twins ahead.
The game saw strong performances from both starting pitchers, Son Ju-young for the Twins and Cody Ponce for the Eagles, who managed to limit the opposing teams’ offensive advances through the middle innings. However, the Eagles’ bullpen faltered in the eighth inning, gifting the Twins a 3-1 lead with a wild pitch from reliever Kim Seo-hyeon.
Despite being down, the Eagles launched an impressive comeback in the bottom of the eighth. The rally began with a fortunate double by pinch hitter Kim Tae-yean, followed by a series of hits and crucial walks that loaded the bases. Sim Woo-jun’s two-run double down the left field line was the turning point, giving the Eagles a 5-3 lead. Choi Jae-hoon’s single further extended their lead to 7-3, securing a comfortable margin for closer Kim Seo-hyeon to seal the victory.
This thrilling win sets the stage for Game 4 at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, where the Eagles will continue their pursuit of a historic comeback in the Korean Series.