Samsung Lions Surge to Comeback Victory as Hanwha Set KBO Record for Walks
In a game defined by a historic pitching meltdown, the Samsung Lions secured a gritty 6-5 comeback victory over the Hanwha Eagles on April 14, 2026, at the Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park. The win allows Samsung to claim sole possession of second place and extends their winning streak to four games, while Hanwha continues to struggle with a four-game losing skid.
The contest began as a dominant performance for the Eagles. Samsung found themselves stifled through the first five innings, trailing 0-5 against Hanwha starter Moon Dong-ju. However, the tide turned as the Hanwha bullpen completely disintegrated, leading to a stunning 6-5 turnaround for the Lions.
The defining story of the match was the unprecedented lack of control from the Hanwha mound. In a record-breaking collapse, Hanwha surrendered a total of 18 walks and hit-by-pitches. This mark sets a new KBO single-game record, eclipsing the previous high of 17 held by the Lotte Giants since May 5, 1990.
Hanwha utilized nine different pitchers throughout the game, but the wheels fully came off in the later stages. Kim Seo-hyun, who entered in the 8th inning, proved disastrous for the Eagles. Kim struggled through one inning, allowing three runs while issuing seven walks/hit-by-pitches and recording one wild pitch, effectively handing the game to Samsung.
Despite the win, the Lions’ offense was not particularly explosive, managing only eight hits. Samsung manager Park Jin-man admitted that the team lacked timely hitting but praised his squad’s resilience. Park noted that the batters demonstrated great focus to capitalize on the opponent’s mistakes and secure the victory.
While the Lions celebrate the win, they are facing a significant blow to their lineup. Manager Park confirmed that star player Koo Ja-wook has been excluded from the first-team roster after suffering a hairline rib fracture. The team has yet to determine a timeline for his return.
The loss serves as a harsh blow for the Eagles, who saw a commanding lead evaporate in a heartbreaking reverse loss, leaving them searching for answers as they slide further down the standings.
For Samsung, this victory reinforces their current momentum, combining a steady bullpen with a disciplined approach at the plate to maintain their position at the top of the league.
