The KIA Tigers have taken a significant step toward the playoffs by winning both games of the preliminary playoff series against the LG Twins.
On October 18, KIA defeated LG 6-3 in the second game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO postseason preliminary playoff at Gwangju Kia Champions Field.
Following their 5-1 victory in the first game, KIA is now just one win away from advancing to the playoffs, needing only one more victory in the remaining three games.
Historically, teams that have won the first two games in a best-of-five preliminary playoff series have a 77.8% chance (7 out of 9 times) of advancing to the playoffs.
In contrast, LG now faces the pressure of needing to win all remaining games after suffering two consecutive losses on the road.
The outcome was largely determined in the first inning. After one out, KIA's Park Jae-hyun hit a single to left field, followed by a stolen base and a walk to Kim Do-young, setting up runners on first and second. Harold Castro then delivered a timely hit to right field, scoring the first run. Na Sung-bum, Kim Sun-bin, and Han Jun-soo followed with consecutive doubles, quickly extending the lead to 5-0.
After Hah Joo-seok added another single to right, LG replaced starting pitcher Im Chan-kyu with John Kennedy in the first inning.
KIA's offense was explosive, recording six hits in the first inning, tying the record for the most runs scored in the first inning of a postseason game (5 runs). They also set records for the most hits in a single inning of a preliminary playoff (6 hits), most consecutive hits (5 batters), and most consecutive on-base appearances (7 batters).
On the mound, starting pitcher Adam Oller delivered an impressive performance, throwing 94 pitches over six innings, allowing six hits, one walk, striking out eight, and giving up two runs, achieving a quality start. He earned the win in his KBO postseason debut.
The victory was secured by closer Jeon Sang-hyun, who entered the game in the eighth inning with two outs and runners on first and second. He pitched 1⅓ innings without allowing a hit or a run, earning his second consecutive save and being named the Daily MVP.
Castro contributed significantly with a multi-hit game, including the initial RBI hit, while Na Sung-bum and Kim Sun-bin each added two RBIs to support the team's victory.
On the other hand, LG's Im Chan-kyu, who started despite a family bereavement the previous day, managed to record only one out in the first inning, allowing six hits, one walk, and five runs before being pulled from the game.
LG managed to score one run in the third, fifth, and eighth innings but could not close the gap. In the eighth inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, Lee Jae-won struck out on three pitches. Lee, who started the game, struck out in all four of his plate appearances.
The game drew a sellout crowd of 18,900 at Kia Champions Field, marking the continuation of a 40-game sellout streak in KBO postseason play since the first game of the 2023 Korean Series.
KIA and LG will take a day off before facing off again on October 20 at LG's home stadium, Jamsil Stadium, for the third game of the preliminary playoff.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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