Gwangju:Kia Tigers third baseman Kim Do-yeong played a pivotal role in his team's postseason series against the LG Twins, hitting two home runs in the Tigers' 5-1 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-five first round at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim, the 2024 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) regular-season MVP, delivered a standout performance that lived up to the expectations set by both teams' managers. Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb had emphasized the importance of keeping Kim in check, while Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho expressed confidence in Kim's abilities.
Kim's performance included a solo home run in the fourth inning, breaking a 1-1 tie, and a two-run homer in the eighth inning, which expanded the Tigers' lead. His efforts were crucial in securing a win on an unseasonably warm October afternoon. This game marked Kim's second career postseason appearance, following a year where he missed significant time due to injuries.
In the regular season, Kim led the KBO with 45 home runs, maintaining a .647 slugging percentage. His simple approach at the plate has been key to his success, as he has now homered six times in his past eight games, including three consecutive games against the Twins.
Kim acknowledged the Twins' careful pitching strategy but noted that he was able to capitalize on an aggressive pitch from starter Anders Tolhurst. "I just tried to trust myself and trust the work I have had all along," Kim said, emphasizing his focus on driving in runs during critical moments.