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Kia Tigers keep lead despite surprise Giants sweep as Eagles manager resigns

Published: 27 May. 2024, 15:56 Updated: 27 May. 2024, 17:52

Kia Tigers' Park Chan-ho celebrates hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning during a game against the Doosan Bears at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on Sunday. [YONHAP]

The Kia Tigers extended their spell at the top of the KBO table, making up lost ground from a surprise midweek sweep by the Lotte Giants in Busan, while the SSG Landers dropped every game of the week and the Hanwha Eagles saw more turnover at the top.

The league-leading Tigers traveled east to meet the Giants, who were at the bottom of the 10-team table heading into the week. But an upset awaited them in Busan, the hosts sweeping the first-place Tigers 6-1, 4-2, 10-6 to move out of last place for the first time in a month.

With bases loaded and one out at the top of the ninth inning during a game against the Lotte Giants, Kia Tigers' Park Jung-woo, left, is tagged out at home plate at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on May 22. [YONHAP]

Meanwhile, the Doosan Bears swept the Landers 8-6, 3-1, 10-3 at Jamsil Stadium in western Seoul to challenge the Tigers for first place.

The Bears shot up from fourth to second place thanks to their Jamsil success, churning up some momentum before their weekend action against the Tigers.

The KT Wiz beat the Samsung Lions 8-5, 1-3, 9-2 at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu while the NC Dinos beat the Kiwoom Heroes 5-3, 4-3, 4-6 at Gocheok Sky Dome in western Seoul.

The Eagles managed two wins to beat the LG Twins 8-4, 7-5, 4-8 at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon, but that third-game loss on Thursday bumped the hosts down to the very bottom of the table and set in motion some turnover at the top.

After Thursday’s loss, Eagles manager Choi Won-ho told the club he would resign, ending what was meant to be a three-year contract two years early, according to the Eagles on Monday.

Hanwha Eagles manager Choi Won-ho high-fives his players after earning his 100th win from a game against the Kia Tigers in Gwangju on May 3. Choi has resigned from the Eagles a year after taking the helm. [YONHAP]

Eagles CEO Park Chan-hyuk also resigned, accompanying Choi on his way out. Bench coach Chung Kyoung-bae will serve as interim manager until the club announces a permanent replacement for Choi.

The Eagles are also rumored to be finalizing a deal with former major league pitcher Jaime Barria. He could replace right-hander Felix Pena, who has been out since taking a ball to the hand earlier this month and is currently the worst-performing foreign pitcher in the league with a 6.27 ERA over nine games.

Over the weekend, the Eagles were on their way to sweep the Landers at SSG Landers Field in Incheon, beating them 7-5, 4-2, but Sunday’s game was canceled due to rain. The Landers are sporting the longest losing streak in the league, at six straight losses, as of Sunday but still sit solidly in the middle of the table, at sixth place.

SSG Landers starter Song Young-jin is being kicked out with the bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the second inning during a game against the Doosan Bears on Friday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in eastern Seoul. [NEWS1]

The Wiz were also en track to sweep the Heroes at Suwon KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi, winning 5-4, 5-4, but Sunday’s game was also canceled due to rain.

The Dinos and the Twins powered through the pour at Jamsil, which carried a bit of magic for its two home teams this week. After the Bears swept the Landers, the Twins swept the Dinos 11-4, 10-6, 6-3 over the weekend to move into third with 29 wins, 23 losses and two draws.

Back home in Gwangju, the Tigers held off the Bears from knocking them out of first place, beating them 5-7, 2-6, 2-5 at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field to end the weekend in the lead, again.

The Giants continued their climb up the table in Busan, picking up a loss and two wins against the Samsung Lions — 5-11, 7-6, 9-1 — to move into eighth place, closing out a solid week at home.

Moving into this week, the Landers are hosting the Twins in Incheon while the Bears meet the Wiz at Jamsil. The Tigers are facing the Dinos in Changwon, the Heroes are headed to Daegu to play the Lions and the Giants are up in Daejeon with the Eagles.

Over the weekend, the Dinos face the Giants in Busan, the Landers play the Heroes at Gocheok and the Eagles play the Lions in Daegu. It’ll be another Jamsil derby between the Twins and the Bears while the Wiz take on the Tigers in Gwangju.

BY MARY YANG [[email protected]]