The LG Twins snapped their losing streak behind a dazzling parade of defensive gems from center fielder Park Hae-min, simultaneously leapfrogging Samsung to reclaim second place in the standings.
LG defeated the Samsung Lions 5-3 in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on Sunday.
With the win, LG improved to 23-15 and overtook Samsung (22-15) to recapture second place just one day after being displaced. Samsung, meanwhile, saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end.
The star of the night was unquestionably Park Hae-min. Living up to his nickname "TJB" (the Twins' center fielder is Park Hae-min), he roamed Jamsil's spacious outfield as if it were his own backyard, delivering one super catch after another.
With one out and a runner on first in the top of the first inning, he tracked down Choi Hyoung-woo's deep drive in front of the warning track, then immediately robbed Lewin Diaz of an extra-base hit at the fence.
After igniting the team with his defense, Park also made his presence felt at the plate. Leading off the bottom of the first, he singled to left, then scored the game's first run on Chun Sung-ho's RBI double and Oh Ji-hwan's infield grounder.
LG added to the lead in the bottom of the second. With two outs and a runner on second, Park laced a clean RBI single to right to make it 3-0.
Samsung began its chase in the top of the fifth with an RBI double by Kang Min-ho, but LG pushed the lead back out in the bottom half on Koo Bon-hyuk's infield grounder.
Samsung closed the gap to one run in the top of the seventh on another RBI double by Kang Min-ho and an infield grounder by pinch-hitter Kim Ji-chan.
But once again, Park came to LG's rescue. With two outs and a runner on third, Koo Ja-wook sent a towering drive to center, and Park crashed into the fence while making a leaping catch. It was a spectacular play that robbed a potential home run.
Park, who typically maintains a stoic expression after big defensive plays, clenched his fist and roared this time. The moment stunned everyone so much that the broadcast flashed a "Wow" caption on screen.
LG sealed the win in the bottom of the eighth on Oh Ji-hwan's second solo home run of the season. Oh launched a 120-meter solo shot over the right-field fence off Samsung reliever Kim Tae-hoon, extending the lead to 5-3.
In the ninth, Son Ju-young, taking on LG's new closer role, retired Samsung in order to record his first career save.
