Doosan Bears 3, KIA Tigers 2 – Kwak Bin Leads the Way | June 26 Review

Game Summary

The Doosan Bears secured a narrow 3-2 victory over the KIA Tigers on June 26, 2026, in a tightly contested matchup that showcased defensive discipline and pitching excellence from the home team. Despite the Tigers’ late-game surge in the ninth inning, the Bears’ early offensive output and strong pitching performance proved sufficient to claim victory. The result kept both teams separated in the standings, with the Tigers maintaining their fourth-place position while the Bears remained in fifth place in what continues to be a highly competitive KBO season.

Pitching Performance

The Doosan Bears’ pitching staff dominated throughout the contest, with starter Gwak Bin delivering an exceptional performance to earn the victory. Gwak Bin pitched six innings of shutout baseball, allowing only four hits while striking out five batters and walking just one. His command was precise, preventing the Tigers from mounting any significant offensive threat during the early innings. The Bears’ bullpen provided excellent support, with Kim Jeong-woo and Kim Taek-yeon combining for two scoreless innings before closer Yi Young-ha recorded the save, though not without some drama as he surrendered two runs in the ninth inning.

For the Tigers, starting pitcher Hwang Dong-ha took the loss despite a respectable effort, yielding two earned runs across five innings of work. Hwang permitted four hits and two walks while recording two strikeouts, but was unable to keep the Bears’ early offensive attack at bay. The Tigers’ bullpen was called upon extensively, with Jeon Sang-hyun, Kim Beom-soo, and Han Jae-seung combining for three innings of relief work. While the relief pitchers limited additional damage, the early deficit proved difficult to overcome, particularly with the Tigers’ offensive struggles throughout most of the game.

Offensive Highlights

The game was characterized by strong but limited offensive production from both teams. The KIA Tigers managed only five hits across nine innings, with Park Jeong-woo emerging as the offensive bright spot for the losing team. Park delivered an impressive performance, collecting three hits in four at-bats and driving in two crucial runs, providing the foundation for the Tigers’ late-game comeback attempt in the ninth inning. His contributions demonstrated individual excellence but ultimately proved insufficient for a Tigers victory.

The Doosan Bears, while also limited to seven hits, made their offensive opportunities count through timely hitting and smart baserunning. Park Jun-soon contributed two hits and one RBI in a four-at-bat performance, while Kim Min-seok delivered the game-winning hit in the first inning with runners in scoring position. An Jae-seok added two hits and an RBI to the Bears’ offensive output, providing depth in the lineup when needed most. The Bears’ ability to capitalize on early scoring opportunities proved to be the difference in this tightly played contest, as they scored the majority of their runs during the opening frames.

Key Play of the Game

The pivotal moment came in the first inning when Doosan’s Kim Min-seok delivered a right-field single with two outs and runners on first and second base. This clutch two-out hit gave the Bears an early 1-0 lead and set the tone for the remainder of the game. While the Bears would add two more runs later through scoring in the fifth and sixth innings, this opening-inning breakthrough proved crucial in establishing the margin of victory. The Tigers’ inability to overcome this early deficit, combined with their offensive struggles throughout the middle innings, meant that Kim’s first-inning hit ultimately decided the outcome of the game.

Standings Impact

With this victory, the Doosan Bears improved to 37 wins, 2 draws, and 37 losses, remaining in fifth place in the KBO standings. The win provides the Bears with continued momentum as they seek to improve their position in the league standings. The KIA Tigers, meanwhile, remain in fourth place with an impressive record of 41 wins, 1 draw, and 34 losses. Although the Tigers maintain their fourth-place standing despite the loss, this defeat represents a setback in their pursuit of further improvement and leaves them ahead of the Bears in the current standings. Both teams will look to this game as they navigate the competitive mid-season stretch ahead.