A dramatic finish highlighted by Byun Woo-hyuk's first career walk-off sacrifice fly leads KIA to a 4-3 win
Category: Sports
The KIA Tigers pulled off a thrilling 4-3 victory against the KT Wiz on September 4, 2026, at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, thanks to Byun Woo-hyuk's first career walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th inning. This win marked KIA's first victory of September and ended their two-game losing streak.
The game was a tightly contested affair, highlighted by a pitching duel between KIA's Adam Oller and KT's Bae Je-seong. Oller, who had been dominant through the first six innings, struck out ten batters and set a record for the most strikeouts by a starting pitcher against all batters faced. The match remained scoreless until the seventh inning, when Oller encountered difficulties, allowing two runs to fall behind 0-2.
In the eighth inning, KIA rallied back, scoring three runs to take a 3-2 lead. The comeback started with Harold Castro's single and walks to Kim Do-young and Kim Sun-bin, creating a bases-loaded situation. Lee Ho-yeon then drew a walk to push a run across, followed by a two-run double from Han Jun-soo, turning the tide in KIA's favor.
As the game progressed into the ninth inning, KIA's closer, Lee Eui-ri, struggled, allowing the KT Wiz to tie the game at 3-3. With two outs and the bases loaded, Lee issued a walk to Choi Won-jun, allowing the tying run to score. This moment of uncertainty set the stage for an intense extra inning.
In the tenth inning, KIA's defense shone brightly. Relief pitcher Jo Sang-woo retired the side without allowing a run, which set up the dramatic finish. The bottom of the tenth began with consecutive walks to Park Jung-woo and Jung Hyun-chang, putting KIA in a favorable position with no outs.
After a sacrifice bunt by Kim Ho-ryeong advanced the runners to second and third, Han Jun-soo was intentionally walked to load the bases. This set the stage for Byun Woo-hyuk, who had entered as a pinch hitter. Facing a high fastball from the new pitcher Moon Yong-ik, Byun connected well, sending a deep fly ball to center field. Though it was not a hit, it was enough to bring home the winning run from third base, sealing a memorable victory for KIA.
After the game, Byun expressed his excitement and determination. "This is my first walk-off in baseball," he said. "I felt a bit disappointed that it wasn’t a hit, but I’m happy we won. The pitch was exactly where I wanted it, and I focused on making contact without trying to overhit. My coach advised me to keep it light, and that worked out well."
Byun's performance was not limited to his offensive contribution; he also made a key defensive play in the top of the tenth, helping to prevent KT from scoring prior to his game-winning at-bat. His focus on team success over personal accolades was evident as he stated, "In the past, I might have complained, but now I'm focused on preparing for every opportunity that comes my way. If Kim Do-young is out for the Asian Games, it’s my chance to step up. I’m committed to thinking only about the team’s victory and preparing hard for my role."
This victory boosts KIA's morale and solidifies their position in the standings. With a season record of 64 wins, 2 draws, and 52 losses, KIA remains in fourth place, maintaining a 3.5-game lead over the fifth-place Doosan Bears. Meanwhile, the KT Wiz, who were leading the league, saw their three-game winning streak come to an end, but they still hold a narrow margin over the second-place Samsung Lions.
The game showcased the resilience of the KIA Tigers, who demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity and capitalize on key moments. Coach Lee Beom-ho praised his team's effort, emphasizing the importance of concentration and teamwork in achieving the win. Ahead, KIA will aim to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next match against the KT Wiz, where they will seek to continue their winning ways.