Game Summary
The NC Dinos pulled off a dramatic ninth-inning victory over the visiting KIA Tigers on Tuesday night, winning 3–2 in a tightly contested matchup that came down to the final at-bat. Hyung-jun Kim’s go-ahead single with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth proved decisive, capping a back-and-forth affair that featured solid pitching from both sides and timely hitting when it mattered most. The win keeps the Dinos alive in their playoff push, while the Tigers remain in fourth place despite the loss.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIA Tigers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| NC Dinos | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Pitching Performance
KIA’s Shirakawa delivered a respectable six innings of work, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out five. The Tigers’ bullpen held firm through the middle innings, with Jeon Sang-hyun and Kwak Do-gyu combining for two scoreless frames. However, the bottom of the ninth unraveled quickly when Lee Ui-ri took the loss, failing to record an out while surrendering three walks and one critical run on just one hit in 2/3 of an inning.
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIA Tigers | ||||||
| Shirakawa | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Jeon Sang-hyeon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kwak Do-gyu | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Lee Ui-ri [L] | 0 ⅔ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Sung Young-tak | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NC Dinos | ||||||
| Toda | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Bae Jae-hwan | 0 ⅓ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Shin Young-woo | 0 ⅔ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Son Ju-hwan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jeon Sa-min [W] | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The Dinos’ Todo matched Shirakawa’s output over six innings, scattering five hits and allowing two runs—one earned—with a couple of walks. NC’s relievers then slammed the door, with three separate pitchers combining to shut down the Tigers’ ninth-inning hopes. Jeon Sa-min recorded the win with a clean final inning, stranding a runner on base to secure the victory.
Offensive Highlights
Sung-beom Na powered the Tigers’ offense, going 2-for-3 with his 26th home run of the season—a solo shot in the second that gave KIA an early 1–0 lead. Ho-ryeong Kim also contributed with two hits and drove in a run on a stolen base that put him in scoring position in the second inning. The Tigers managed only seven hits total, leaving them unable to build on their early advantage.
| Batter | AB | H | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIA Tigers | |||||
| Na Sung-bum | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Kim Ho-ryeong | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| NC Dinos | |||||
| Park Geon-woo | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Kim Hwi-jip | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Kim Hyung-jun | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
The Dinos’ lineup was quieter by the numbers but far more clutch. Gun-woo Park, Hwi-jib Kim, and especially Hyung-jun Kim—who delivered the game-winner—each notched crucial hits or plays in scoring position. Kim’s go-ahead single capped a wild ninth-inning sequence where the Tigers’ defense fell apart, with multiple errors contributing to NC’s ability to keep the bases loaded and their season alive.
Key Play of the Game
The decisive moment came with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Hyung-jun Kim worked the count to a full house and lined a single into play that plated the winning run, sending the Dinos dugout into celebration. What might have been a Tigers victory evaporated in seconds, a reminder of how thinly these late-season games are often decided. Lee Ui-ri never got a chance to retire the side, and the inning spiraled out of control before he could record his second out.
Standings Impact
With the loss, KIA remains in fourth place in the standings at 63–52 with two draws. The Tigers’ inability to close out the game against a struggling Dinos club cost them valuable ground in what’s shaping up to be a tightly bunched playoff race. NC Dinos, meanwhile, improved to 53–58 and stay in sixth place, but this kind of clutch victory—especially late in September—could provide the spark they need down the stretch. The gap between contention and the lottery continues to shrink as the regular season winds toward its conclusion.
🔍 Preview Prediction vs. Reality
Predicted: NC Dinos | KIA Tigers 3 – NC Dinos 5
Actual: KIA Tigers 2 – NC Dinos 3
We nailed the winner but seriously overestimated the run total. The game proved far more pitching-heavy than expected, with both teams’ bullpens delivering when needed. Lee Ui-ri’s collapse in the ninth was the difference—we anticipated higher scoring overall, but this one came down to execution and timely hitting rather than an offensive showcase.