Daejeon: For the second time in three years, the LG Twins have claimed the title as champions of South Korean baseball. The Twins emerged victorious against the Hanwha Eagles, defeating them 4-1 on Friday to win the Korean Series in five games at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this victory marks the Twins' fourth Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) championship, following previous wins in 1990, 1994, and 2023. The series began with the Twins securing the first two games at their home ground, Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. Despite a setback in Game 3, where they lost 7-3 after a late rally by the Eagles, the Twins bounced back to win Game 4 with a strong ninth-inning performance.
Starter Anders Tolhurst played a crucial role in the decisive game by pitching seven innings and conceding only one run. Kim Hyun-soo, who was named the Korean Series MVP, contributed significantly with three hits and two RBIs. The Twins, who had the best regular-season record at 85-56-3, benefited from a bye to the Korean Series, a privilege that has historically led to victory in the series about 85 percent of the time.
The Hanwha Eagles, who finished second in the regular season, were seeking their first league title since 1999. This year's appearance marked their first postseason participation since 2018 and their first Korean Series appearance since 2006. The game saw an early surprise when the Eagles' starter, Moon Dong-ju, was pulled after the first inning due to shoulder discomfort, though no injury was reported.
The Twins took an early lead in the game, with Kim Hyun-soo driving in Shin Min-jae for a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Eagles briefly tied the game in the second inning, but the Twins regained the lead and maintained it with strategic plays and effective pitching. The Twins extended their lead to 4-1 in the ninth inning, providing enough cushion for closer You Young-chan to secure the championship-winning save.