Castro, Han Jun-su and Ha Ju-seok deliver clutch RBI hits after Samsung third baseman's error opens the door

Kia Tigers pitcher Jeon Sang-hyeon and catcher Kim Tae-gun celebrate with a high-five after Kia's victory over the Samsung Lions in Game 4 of the 2026 KBO playoff series at Gwangju Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on Friday. [Yonhap]
Kia Tigers pitcher Jeon Sang-hyeon and catcher Kim Tae-gun celebrate with a high-five after Kia's victory over the Samsung Lions in Game 4 of the 2026 KBO playoff series at Gwangju Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on Friday. [Yonhap]

The Kia Tigers pulled off a thrilling comeback victory from the brink of elimination, forcing the Korean Baseball Organization playoff series (best-of-five) to a decisive Game 5.

Trailing 1-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Kia erupted for three runs to defeat the Samsung Lions 4-2 in Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO postseason playoff at Gwangju Kia Champions Field on Friday.

With the series now tied at two games apiece, the two clubs will meet Sunday at 2 p.m. at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, with a berth in the Korean Series on the line.

Samsung seized control early. In the top of the second inning, consecutive singles by Kim Yeong-ung and Kang Min-ho set up runners at first and second with one out, and Ryu Ji-hyeok drove in the opening run with an RBI single to right field — putting Kia starter James Naile, making his first start in four days, on the back foot from the outset.

Kia, kept in check by Samsung starter Chris Flexen, struck back in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs and runners at first and second — created by a leadoff single and stolen base by Kim Do-yeong and a walk to Na Sung-bum — Han Jun-su laced an RBI single past the third baseman to level the score at 1-1.

Samsung retook the lead at 2-1 in the top of the sixth when Choi Hyeong-u launched a solo home run to right-center field, but the momentum swung decisively toward Kia in the bottom of the seventh.

Kim Do-yeong led off the seventh by reaching second base on a fielding error by Samsung third baseman Kim Yeong-ung. Harold Castro then tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI single off Satoshi Miyamori.

With two outs and runners at first and third, Han Jun-su drove a forkball from Samsung's Lee Jae-hee through the right side of the infield for a go-ahead RBI single, and Ha Ju-seok followed with an RBI single to left to push the score to 4-2.

With the lead secured, Kia turned to closer Jeon Sang-hyeon from the eighth inning onward. Jeon retired all six batters faced over two perfect innings to earn the save. Jo Sang-u, who entered in the sixth and threw one and two-thirds scoreless innings, was credited with the win.

Designated hitter Han Jun-su, batting sixth, was the game's standout performer, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs — including the tying and go-ahead hits. Samsung, meanwhile, got a solid outing from Flexen, who allowed just one run over five and a third innings, but a critical fielding error in the seventh unraveled the Lions' bid for a series-clinching victory.


hwshin@heraldcorp.com