Samsung even Korea Series at 1-1 with extra-inning win over KT

Diaz scores go-ahead run on Oh Yun-seok's errant throw

Goes 4-for-6 with 2 RBIs in standout performance

Starter Fedde earns daily MVP after 7 innings, 1 run

Samsung Lions' Diaz scores the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th inning during Game 2 of the 2026 KBO Postseason Korea Series against KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park on Wednesday. With one out and runners on first and second, a grounder by Samsung's Lee Jae-hyeon prompted a throwing error by KT second baseman Oh Yun-seok, allowing Diaz to score from second base. [Yonhap]

The Samsung Lions evened the Korea Series at one game apiece Wednesday, outlasting the KT Wiz in a 12-inning thriller at Suwon KT Wiz Park.

Samsung won Game 2 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korea Series — a best-of-seven — 3-2, capitalizing on a defensive miscue in the top of the 12th to push across the decisive run.

Having rallied from 0-8 down to within 7-8 in Tuesday's Game 1 only to fall short, Samsung used Wednesday's victory to square the series. With both road games now split, the Lions head home to Daegu with a chance to seize momentum.

The game turned in the top of the 12th with the score tied 2-2. Samsung opened the inning with a leadoff single to left by Park Seung-gyu. Diaz hit into what appeared to be a double-play grounder to second but sprinted down the line to beat the relay and keep the inning alive. Kim Sang-jun then singled to right, setting up a one-out, first-and-second situation.

KT pitcher Woo Gyu-min fielded Lee Jae-hyeon's grounder and threw to second to retire the lead runner. But second baseman Oh Yun-seok's throw to first sailed wide, and Diaz, running from second, never stopped — scoring all the way home with the go-ahead run.

Samsung turned to Bae Chan-seung to close out the 12th. With two outs and a runner on second, Bae induced Kim Hyun-su to ground out to second, preserving the one-run victory.

Diaz was the offensive standout for Samsung. Batting fifth and playing first base, he went 4-for-6 with two RBIs and a run scored. He had already hit a triple in the second inning, a double in the fourth and a single in the sixth — leaving only a home run to complete the cycle — before adding an RBI single in the 10th.

Samsung Lions starter Chris Fedde pitches in the bottom of the seventh inning during Game 2 of the 2026 KBO Postseason Korea Series against KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park on Wednesday. Fedde allowed one run over seven innings. [Yonhap]

Both starters delivered quality outings, each going seven innings and allowing just one run. Samsung's Chris Fedde gave up eight hits and a walk while striking out three; KT's Ko Young-pyo scattered seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Fedde was named the game's daily MVP.

Samsung drew first blood in the second inning. Choi Hyung-woo doubled, and Diaz followed with a triple that caromed off the top of the right-field fence to make it 1-0. KT answered in the fourth, when Sam Hilliard doubled and Heo Gyeong-min drove him in to tie the game.

Both teams squandered scoring chances in the middle innings. Samsung loaded the bases with one out in the sixth but Ryu Ji-hyeok hit into a double play. KT also stranded runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth.

Diaz's RBI single to right in the top of the 10th put Samsung back in front, but KT responded in the bottom half when Kim Hyun-su drew a bases-loaded walk with one out to tie it 2-2. KT could not convert a subsequent bases-loaded opportunity and failed to take the lead.

Samsung's Kim Tae-hoon threw a scoreless 11th to earn the win, while Bae Chan-seung picked up the save. KT's Oh Won-seok took the loss.

After a day off, the two teams meet for Game 3 at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

yjc@heraldcorp.com