The professional baseball game between the Doosan Bears and the Kiwoom Heroes concluded in a dramatic 3-3 tie after 11 innings, with neither team able to secure a victory. The intense matchup, held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on June 18th, saw both clubs exchange leads and rally back, ultimately leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very end of the ‘2026 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League’ contest.
A Marathon Game with Shifting Momentum
The game stretched for 4 hours and 20 minutes, a testament to the back-and-forth nature of the competition. Doosan’s starting pitcher, Jack Lonergan, pitched 4 and 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits (including 2 home runs), 1 walk, and striking out 3 batters, but was responsible for 3 earned runs (2 unearned). The bullpen, featuring Park Chi-guk, Takada Takuto, Kim Taek-yeon, and Lee Yeong-ha, struggled to contain the Heroes’ offense, conceding runs but ultimately preventing a loss.
On the Kiwoom side, starter Raul Alcantara pitched 6 and 2/3 innings, giving up 7 hits (including 1 home run), 2 walks, and striking out 5 batters, but was charged with 6 earned runs. The relief pitchers, including Yoon Suk-won, Lee Kang-jun, Kanako Yuto, Kim Sun-gi, and Jo Yeong-geon, managed to hold the Bears scoreless through the extra innings, forcing the tie.
Key Offensive Performances Shine
Despite the tie, several players delivered outstanding offensive performances. For the Doosan Bears, Yang Eui-ji stood out with a multi-hit game that included his fourth home run of the season. Ahn Jae-seok also contributed significantly, tallying 4 total bases, 2 hits, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored. The Bears’ starting lineup featured Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Ahn Jae-seok (third base), Kim Min-seok (left field), Yang Eui-ji (first base), Union Severino (designated hitter), Yang Suk-hwan (first base), Jung Soo-bin (center field), Kang Sung-ho (second base), and Jo Su-haeng (right field).
The Kiwoom Heroes were led by a stellar performance from Park Chan-hyuk, who went 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and 2 home runs. This remarkable outing marked his first career 10-home run season. He hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the second inning and a game-tying three-run homer in the eighth, showcasing his power. Additionally, Matt Davidson hit his 20th home run of the season, becoming the seventh foreign player in KBO history to reach this milestone.
The starting lineup for Kiwoom included Seo Geon-chang (second base), Chu Jae-hyun (center field), Matt Davidson (first base), Kesterton Hiu-ra (left field), Park Chan-hyuk (right field), Ahn Chi-hong (designated hitter), Yeo Dong-wook (third base), Kim Dong-heon (pitcher), and Kwon Hyeok-bin (shortstop).
A Game of Streaks and Comebacks
The scoring began early. In the top of the second inning, Kiwoom took the lead when Hiu-ra reached on an error and scored on Park Chan-hyuk’s first home run of the game. Doosan quickly responded in the bottom of the second as Severino launched a solo home run, tying the score.
The Bears then surged ahead in the third inning. After Kang Sung-ho singled, Jo Su-haeng advanced him with a sacrifice bunt, and Park Chan-ho reached on an infield hit, setting up a two-on, two-out situation. Ahn Jae-seok tied the game with an RBI double, and Kim Min-seok followed with an RBI single to give Doosan the lead.
Kiwoom battled back in the fourth inning when Davidson hit a solo home run to even the score once more. Despite further opportunities with runners on base, they couldn’t capitalize fully.
Doosan regained the lead in the seventh inning. Jung Soo-bin walked, and after a sacrifice bunt by Kang Sung-ho and a single by Jo Su-haeng, Doosan had runners on second and third with two outs. Park Chan-ho delivered an RBI single, driving in a run and advancing to second on the throw. Ahn Jae-seok added another RBI single, extending the lead to 6-3. Kim Min-seok then drew a walk, and Yang Eui-ji hit an RBI single to make it 6-3.
However, the Heroes refused to concede. In the top of the eighth, with two outs, Davidson walked, Hiu-ra singled, and Park Chan-hyuk blasted a game-tying three-run home run, tying the score at 6-6 and completing his impressive offensive night.
Extra Innings See Missed Opportunities
Both teams had chances to win in the late innings and extra frames. In the bottom of the eighth, Doosan loaded the bases with two outs, but the threat was nullified. In the ninth, Doosan put runners on first and second with one out, but couldn’t bring them home.
The game continued into the 11th inning, with both bullpens holding firm. Kiwoom loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the 11th, but Park Chan-hyuk grounded out to end the threat. In the bottom of the 11th, Doosan got a runner on second with one out, but subsequent batters were retired, ending the game in a rare tie.
The tie means both the Doosan Bears and Kiwoom Heroes will look to regroup and aim for a decisive win in their next encounter.
