2026 KBO League: Samsung Lions End KT Wiz’s Winning Streak in Thrilling 2-1 Victory

Ryu Ji-hyeok / Photo by Paeng Hyun-jun

[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu] The Samsung Lions snapped the KT Wiz’s unbeaten streak.

Samsung defeated KT 2-1 on the road at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 3rd in the 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League.

The victory extended Samsung’s streak to three and left them with a 3-1-2 record, holding fourth place. KT, denied a sixth straight win, fell to 5-1.

Samsung starter Ariel Jurado was sharp, tossing six innings and allowing five hits (one homer) with four strikeouts, one walk and one run to earn his first win of the season.

Offensively, Ryu Ji-hyeok delivered multiple hits, including the go-ahead RBI, to fuel the win.

Despite another solid start, KT’s Matt Sauer took the loss after six innings of five hits, three strikeouts, two walks and two runs, as his offense couldn’t back him.

KT struck first. In the bottom of the second, leadoff hitter Hilliard turned Jurado’s first pitch—a 145 km/h fastball (about 90.1 mph)—into a solo shot to center, seizing early momentum.

Samsung, silent through the first two innings, answered in the top of the third. Lee Jae-hyun doubled and Kim Ji-chan followed with a single to put runners at second and third with no outs. Kim Sung-yoon’s grounder to second allowed Lee to score and tie the game.

KT wasted a prime opportunity in the bottom of the fourth. After consecutive hits by Jang Sung-woo and Kim Sang-soo and a grounder from Ryu Hyun-in, KT had two outs with runners on the corners, but Han Seung-taek struck out to end the threat.

Samsung broke the deadlock in the sixth. With two outs and a runner on second, Diaz doubled and Ryu Ji-hyeok ripped a two-out RBI triple to left-center that put Samsung ahead.

KT’s lineup couldn’t crack Samsung’s bullpen the rest of the way. KT went down in order in the seventh. In the eighth, Choi Won-jun reached with a shallow single to right, but Kim Hyun-soo hit into a double play. After Ahn Hyun-min singled and advanced to second on an outfield fielding error, Hilliard struck out swinging.

Protecting the lead, Samsung turned to Kim Jae-yoon in the ninth. Kim walked leadoff batter Jang Sung-woo, but he erased the threat by cutting down pinch-runner Jang Jin-hyuk’s steal attempt. Kim then struck out Kim Sang-soo and induced a groundout to second from Ryu Hyun-in to seal the win.

Meanwhile, the SSG Landers blasted the Lotte Giants 17-2 to move into a first-place tie with KT.

Lotte dropped its fourth straight and fell to 2-4.

SSG starter Mitch White earned his first win of the season, going seven innings, allowing six hits, striking out four and issuing four walks while surrendering two runs.

At the plate, Park Sung-han had four hits and four RBIs, while Guillermo Heredia, Go Myung-jun and Choi Ji-hoon all homered.

Lotte starter Rodriguez absorbed the loss, lasting four innings while giving up nine hits (two homers), walking six and allowing eight runs — his first defeat of the season.

The Kiwoom Heroes edged the LG Twins 5-2 in a pitchers’ duel.

The win left Kiwoom at 2-4, tied with LG.

Kiwoom starter Raul Alcantara battled to his first win of the season, tossing 6.1 innings, allowing six hits (one homer), striking out seven, issuing one walk and yielding one run.

Brooks dominated the offense, going 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored to power the victory.

LG starter Yoni Chirinos took his second loss after five innings, giving up nine hits, striking out six, walking one and allowing four runs.

The NC Dinos beat the KIA Tigers 5-2 to join KT and SSG in a three-way tie for first.

KIA fell to the bottom of the standings at 1-5.

NC starter Koo Chang-mo picked up his second win, working six shutout innings while allowing one hit, striking out six and issuing three walks.

At the plate, Park Min-woo went 3-for-4 with three RBIs to lead NC’s offense.

KIA starter James Neal took the loss, lasting five innings and allowing three hits, striking out five, walking five and giving up two runs — his first defeat of the season.

The Hanwha Eagles also defeated the Doosan Bears 11-6.

Hanwha starter Hernandez earned his first win, going 5.1 innings, allowing five hits, striking out three, issuing three walks and giving up three runs.

Offensively, Chae Eun-seong collected three hits, and Peraza added a multi-hit game that included a homer.

Doosan starter Flexen exited early with a back injury and was charged with the loss after one inning, two walks and one run allowed.

The victory snapped Hanwha’s three-game skid; they improved to 3-3 and sit in fifth place. Doosan dropped to ninth at 1-1-4.

[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu sports@stoo.com]
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