LG Twins’ foreign slugger Austin Dean hit his 27th home run of the season on July 2nd, further solidifying his lead in the league’s home run race. The blast came during the final game of a three-game series against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.
A Tight Contest with a Decisive Homer
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the start, with both teams’ starting pitchers struggling early on. LG took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, only for Kiwoom to respond with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game.
LG regained the lead with a run in the top of the fourth inning, but Kiwoom once again answered in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run by Yeo Geon-uk, knotting the score at 4-4.
The decisive moment came in the top of the fifth inning when Austin stepped up to the plate. After leadoff hitter Park Hae-min lined out to third base, Austin launched a solo home run off Kiwoom’s starting pitcher Bae Dong-hyun. The ball, a 143 km/h fastball, sailed over the left-center field gap, giving LG a 5-4 lead they would hold.
Austin’s Power Surge Continues
This latest home run marks Austin’s 27th of the season. His power display has been a significant factor for the LG Twins. In the previous game against Kiwoom, Austin hit two home runs, driving in four runs and leading his team to a 10-4 victory.
His recent performance indicates a strong surge in his hitting ability. Over his last 10 games, Austin has recorded an impressive seven home runs, showcasing his consistent power and impact at the plate. This consistent offensive output is crucial for the LG Twins as they continue their season.
Lineup and Game Context
The starting lineup for LG in this game was:
- Cheon Seong-ho (Third Baseman)
- Park Hae-min (Center Fielder)
- Austin Dean (First Baseman)
- Moon Bo-gyeong (Designated Hitter)
- Song Chan-ui (Right Fielder)
- Moon Seong-ju (Left Fielder)
- Park Dong-won (Catcher)
- Lee Young-bin (Shortstop)
- Shin Min-jae (Second Baseman)
The game was part of a three-game series between the LG Twins and the Kiwoom Heroes in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.
