In a dramatic extra-innings showdown at Changwon NC Park, the NC Dinos secured a 5-4 walk-off win over the KIA Tigers, extending their winning streak to two games in the 2026 KBO League.
James Naile’s Tough Outing Seals KIA’s Heartbreak
KIA starter James Naile endured a challenging night, surrendering five earned runs over six innings on eight hits, including one home run, one walk, and four strikeouts. He threw 82 pitches, pushing his season ERA from 2.57 to 3.44. Despite early command issues through three innings, Naile induced double plays in the fourth but faltered later.
Lineups and Starting Pitchers
NC deployed Kim Juwon at designated hitter, Park Min-woo at second base, Park Gun-woo in center field, Met Deibis at first base, Lee Woo-sung catching, Do Tae-hoon at third, An Jung-yeol in right field, Park Si-won in left, and Choi Jeong-won at shortstop. Starting pitcher Shin Min-hyuk delivered 3 2/3 innings of four-run ball.
KIA countered with Park Jae-hyun behind the plate, Kim Ho-ryeong in center, Kim Sun-bin as DH, Kim Do-young at third, Na Seong-beom in left, Jered Deol at second, Oh Seon-woo at first, Han Jun-su in right, and Kim Gyu-seong at shortstop. Naile took the mound for the Tigers.
Game Highlights and Turning Points
KIA struck first in the second inning. Na Seong-beom’s leadoff double set the stage, but Met Deibis tied it at 1-1 with a solo home run off Naile.
The Tigers regained the lead in the third. Kim Ho-ryeong doubled, Kim Sun-bin singled him home for a 2-1 edge, and Kim Do-young added a solo homer, stretching it to 3-1. His towering 137 km/h fastball shot traveled 125 meters.
NC mounted a comeback in the ninth, but KIA clung to a 4-1 lead entering late innings. Shin Min-hyuk exited after allowing four runs. Eight NC relievers—Im Jeong-ho (2/3 IP), Jeon Sam-min (2/3), Kim Yeong-gyu (1/3), Im Ji-min (2/3), Bae Jae-hwan (2/3), Won Jong-hae, Kim Jin-ho (1 1/3), and Ryu Jin-wook (1 IP)—combined to limit damage.
In the bottom of the ninth, Choi Jeong-won and Kim Juwon drew consecutive walks, bringing runners to first and third. Park Min-woo’s sacrifice fly plated the tying run, making it 4-4. Naile’s struggles persisted despite solid peripherals.
Extra-Innings Drama
NC loaded the bases in the 10th with An Jung-yeol’s RBI single flipping the score to 5-4. Park Si-won delivered the game-winning hit, tagging up on Park Jae-hyun’s throw to score Chun Jae-hwan from third.
KIA loaded bases earlier but couldn’t capitalize fully. NC’s bullpen held firm despite errors and walks.
The loss drops KIA to 12 wins, 1 tie, and 13 losses, ending their two-game win streak. NC celebrates back-to-back triumphs with relentless relief pitching.
