Discussions
Congratulations to Yang Hyun-jong + Kim Do-young for reaching 20 wins
There are so many athletes to congratulate. It's a joyous occasion.
The Kia Tigers won 13-2 against the Kiwoom Heroes in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on May 25.
The starting lineup was Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Lee Chang-jin (right fielder), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Lee Woo-seong (first baseman), Socrates Brito (left fielder), Kim Sun-bin (second baseman), Kim Tae-gun (catcher), and Choi Won-joon (center fielder). The starting pitcher is Yang Hyun-jong.
The players came together to reach 20 wins in the fewest games in franchise history. The club has 20 wins (7 losses) after 27 games of the season. The previous club records were 20 wins in 28 games in 1993 and 2017 (8 losses each). Kia was the first of 10 clubs to reach the 20-win mark and retained the top spot. The sweep of Kiwoom was also the first in 1113 days since April 6-8, 2021, against Gochuk.
Starter Yang Hyun-jong allowed two runs on four hits (one homer) and one walk in seven innings, striking out six and walking two, with 94 pitches. He improved to 2-1 on the season and 170-114 in his career. He was second on the KBO's all-time wins list with 169 career victories before the game, and with the win, he reached the 170-win plateau. He is second on the all-time wins list behind Song Jin-woo (210 wins, 153 losses).
After Yang Hyun-jong, Kim Gun-guk closed out the game with two scoreless innings of relief.
Do-Young Kim also made history. He became the first player in the league to hit 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in a single month. The previous closest was Son As-seob (then Lotte Giants, now NC Dinos) with nine home runs and 10 stolen bases in August 2017. In addition, Kim accumulated double-digit home runs in a season for the first time since his debut in 2022. His previous high for a season was seven last year.
Looking at the Tigers' franchise record for monthly home runs, Do-Young Kim is the only player to hit 10 in a month, followed by Bong-Yeon Kim in May 1983, Sanders in May 1999, Hong Hyun-woo in June 1999, Kim Sang-hyun in August 2010, and Choi Hyung-woo in October 2020. Only Kim Sang-hyun hit 15 home runs in a month in August 2010.
Kim also has a 12-game hitting streak that began on Dec. 12 against the Daejeon Hanwha Eagles. This is the fourth-longest streak in league history and ties the club record. The previous club record was held by Kim Sun-bin. He scored in 12 consecutive games from September 11 to 25, 2018.
Kim also extended his hitting streak to 15 games, starting on September 9 against the Gwangju LG Twins. He is 2-for-5 with two doubles (one home run), two RBIs and two runs scored against Kiwoom. The Kia bats pounded out 16 hits (2 home runs) to easily defeat Kiwoom.
After the game, Kia head coach Lee Bum-ho said, "We were fortunate to win back-to-back games thanks to the strong pitching of Yang Hyun-jong and the cohesiveness of our bats."
"Yang Hyun-jong pitched effectively and went seven innings, a personal best this season. "Our bullpen was used up in the first two games, and I think it will help us in the weekend series," said Lee. Congratulations to Hyun-Jong Yang on becoming the second player in history to reach 170 career wins."
"In terms of the offense, I would like to commend our bats for their focus after the top of the fourth inning, when Lee Woo-sung was hit by a pitch and Kim Tae-gun stepped up to the plate and delivered the game-winning two RBIs," he said. "In the ensuing at-bats, Park Chan-ho's RBI single really set the tone. It was also nice to see the big innings in the fourth and eighth innings," he smiled.
Kia loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fourth inning on a walk to Lee Woo-sung, a single to right by Socrates, and a straight bunt single by Kim Sun-bin. Kim Tae-gun followed with a double to center field. After Choi Won-jun walked, the Kiwoom bench was moved. Pitcher Kim Sun-ki was brought in to pitch.
Park Chan-ho followed with an infield single to shortstop. Shortstop Kim Hwijip made a good catch, but the throw to first base was high, leading to an infield single. Lee Chang-jin's grounder to second base ended the top of the fourth inning. Kia took a 3-0 lead.
"I also congratulate Kim Do-young on becoming the first KBO player to hit 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in a single month," Lee said. He added, "We were able to reach 20 wins thanks to the fans' support. We are grateful for their support and will continue to do our best."