[Anchor]
The first game of the KBO League semi-playoffs was a solo stage for top star Kim Do-young of the KIA Tigers. Powered by the first multi-home run game of his postseason career and four RBIs, he led KIA to victory.
Reporter Jeon Yeongmin has the details.
[Reporter]
Kim Do-young, who secured his first career home run title and clinched third place for KIA with his 45th home run of the season during the regular season finale against the LG Twins on October 12, turned the first game of the semi-playoffs into his own stage.
In the bottom of the fourth inning with the score tied 1-1, he launched a first-pitch fastball from LG starting pitcher Tolhurst over the left-field wall for a go-ahead, game-winning solo home run.
After driving in another run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning with no outs and runners on first and third, created by consecutive defensive errors by LG, Kim sent the Champions Field into a frenzy once again in the eighth inning.
With two outs and a runner on first, he smashed a two-run homer over the center-field wall to seal the victory.
Kim showcased his status as the top star of this era by recording his first-ever postseason multi-home run game and a personal postseason single-game high of four RBIs.
KIA starting pitcher James Neail pitched brilliantly through seven innings, allowing just four hits and one run while striking out six batters with fastballs topping out at 150 km/h and a sharp sweeper, earning his second postseason win following the Korean Series two years ago.
With a 5-1 dominant victory over LG, KIA successfully took the early lead in the series.
[Kim Do-young / KIA Infielder: I came into this thinking the first game was crucial, and I am glad we secured a great victory. It also seems like I am starting with a good hitting rhythm, which makes me feel even better.]
Champions Field was packed with 18,900 spectators, extending the consecutive postseason sellout streak to 39 games.
In Game 2 today (October 18), KIA's Tyler Allerd and LG's Im Chan-kyu are set to clash in a starting pitching matchup.
(Video by Yang Doo-won | Video Editing by Lee Jae-sung)
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