The Doosan Bears experienced a significant setback, falling to the KIA Tigers with a decisive 1-12 loss at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on June 28, 2026. This defeat halted their momentum, preventing them from extending a four-game winning streak and dashing hopes of a five-game victory run.
Tigers Dominate Early, Bears’ Pitching Struggles
The game, the twelfth regular-season matchup between the two teams in 2026, saw the Bears struggle to contain the Tigers’ offense. While starting pitcher Choi Seung-yong, returning after military service, initially showed strong form through the fourth inning, the tide turned dramatically in the fifth.
The first crack in the Bears’ defense appeared in the top of the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on second. Choi Seung-yong conceded a crucial first-pitch slider to Kim Ho-ryeong, resulting in a home run. The situation worsened in the sixth inning when Kim Do-young led off with a solo home run. Following a groundout and a walk, the Tigers continued to press their advantage.
Bullpen Woes and Mounting Runs
The Bears’ bullpen, already under pressure, faced further challenges. Reliever Kim Dong-ju, who had recently returned from military duty and maintained a respectable 2.38 ERA over nine games, was brought in to stabilize the situation. However, Kim struggled significantly, issuing consecutive walks to batters Byun Woo-hyuk, Park Min, and Park Jae-hyun. Each of these batters reached base after falling behind in the count (3-0), leading to additional pitches and further pressure on the pitcher.
The decision to bring in Kim Dong-ju was made by manager Kim Won-hyung in a critical juncture, with no other pitchers visibly warming up. The expectation was that Kim would at least finish the sixth inning. Instead, his outing became a turning point in the game’s scoring.
Kim Dong-ju’s brief appearance was costly. He allowed three batters to reach base on balls without recording an out, contributing to a disastrous sixth inning for the Bears. The Tigers capitalized on these opportunities, scoring a total of seven runs in the sixth inning alone. This offensive surge, fueled by Kim’s wildness, put the game out of reach for the Bears.
Tigers Seal Decisive Victory
The Tigers continued their scoring in the ninth inning, adding three more runs to reach a total of 12. The final score of 1-12 reflected a dominant performance by KIA.
Despite the sweltering heat, a large crowd had gathered at Jamsil Stadium. However, as the game’s outcome became increasingly clear by the sixth inning, many fans began to leave their seats, unable to bear witness to the team’s significant collapse. The extensive loss marked a disappointing end to the series for the Doosan Bears and their supporters.
