The KT Wiz swept a three-game series against the SSG Landers to extend their winning streak to six games.
KT won 3-1 against SSG in the 2023 Shinhan Bank Solar KBO League at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on Wednesday, thanks to a strong pitching performance by Uhm Sang-baek and a come-from-behind hit by Hwang Jae-gyun.
With their sixth straight win, 텍사스홀덤 KT improved to 47 wins (2 ties, 43 losses). SSG, mired in a three-game losing streak, fell to 50 wins, one draw and 38 losses.
KT starter Uhm Sang-baek pitched seven innings of six-hit ball, striking out five, walking two and giving up one run. He gave up a run in the third inning, but held the rest of the game scoreless to set the stage for the comeback.
Uhm earned his fifth win of the season (6-2) with an efficient seven innings on 95 pitches.
The KT bats came alive in the fifth inning, scoring three runs. Hwang Jae-gyun went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including a game-winning double.
SSG starter Roenis Elias suffered his fourth loss of the season after allowing three runs on nine hits in five innings with four strikeouts and two walks. After pitching a scoreless fourth inning, Elias faltered in the fifth and was unable to protect his team’s one-run lead.
Choo Shin-soo struggled in the leadoff spot for SSG, going 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the loss.
SSG struck first.
In the top of the third inning, Choi Ji-hoon singled and stole second base, and Choo Shin-soo followed with a double to left field.
Trailing by a run, KT scored three runs in the fifth inning to turn the game around.
In the bottom of the fifth, an infield single by Bae Ji-dae and a single to left by Anthony Alford put runners on first and second, and Park Byung-ho hit a single that fell in front of the center fielder.
Jang Sung-woo followed with a walk and Hwang Jae-gyun singled to left to bring home two runners.
Uhm Sang-baek did not allow another run until the seventh inning, preserving KT’s two-run lead.
KT turned to its bullpen in the eighth inning.
In the top of the eighth, Park Young-hyun gave up a leadoff double to Choo Shin-soo, but retired the next three batters to keep the game scoreless.
Taking over the mound in the top of the ninth, KT closer Kim Jae-yoon ended the inning with a triple play and shut the door behind him. Kim Jae-yoon earned his 18th save of the season (3-2).