The Kia Tigers rode a strong pitching performance to a four-game winning streak to open the season. The Tigers also won their first meeting of the 2024 season against last year's nemesis, the Doosan Bears.

Kia won the first game of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League against Doosan 4-2 on Monday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. The victory over Doosan snapped a four-game winning streak for the team, which had already won two midweek games against the Kiwoom Heroes on March 23 and the Lotte Giants on March 26-27.

Kia's four-game winning streak to open the season is the longest since the 2015 season, when Kim Ki-tae was at the helm. Back then, they swept their home-opening two-game series against the LG Twins on March 28-29, then defeated the SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers) on April 1 and the KT Wiz on April 3.

Kia had a twist on this one, as starter Lee Yi-ri left the mound sooner than expected after giving up two runs (unearned) on four hits and five walks with six strikeouts in 4.2 innings due to poor control and a fielding error. Instead, the bullpen held the Doosan bats scoreless from the fifth through the ninth innings to secure the win.

Jang Hyun-sik pitched ⅔ inning of one-hit baseball, Lim Ki-young pitched ⅔ inning of two-hit baseball with one strikeout, Kwak Do-gyu pitched ⅔ inning of one-hit baseball, Choi Ji-min pitched ⅔ inning of two-hit baseball, Jeon Sang-hyun pitched ⅔ inning of one-hit baseball, and Jeong Jung-young pitched ⅔ inning of one-hit baseball to close out the postseason.

The Kia bats were also strong. Lee Woo-sung went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs, while Kim Sun-bin went 1-for-2 with a home run, one RBI and one walk, Lee Chang-jin went 1-for-3 with a home run and one RBI, and Choi Won-joon went 1-for-2 with a home run, one RBI, one stolen base and one run scored. A fielding error by third baseman Kim Do-young made the game difficult, but the entire team showed the strength to stick together.

It was a significant win for Kia in their first meeting with Doosan this season, as they were absolutely dominated in the series last year with a 4-12 record. Despite posting a winning percentage of 0.514 with 73 wins, 69 losses, and two draws in the 2023 season, the team missed out on the postseason by one game to Doosan (74 wins, 68 losses, and two draws), finishing in sixth place. The -8 win-loss margin against Doosan proved to be a fatal blow.

Kia's pitchers came through in a number of close games and clutch situations on the day to defeat Doosan and complete their first sweep of the season. In the bottom of the ninth inning, closer Jung Hae-young struck out Doosan's No. 4 hitter Kim Jae-hwan on an infield grounder to preserve the win.

Kia's strong start to the season was cut short by the loss of its batting core, Na Sung-beom, to an injury during the exhibition games, and first baseman Hwang Dae-in, who was injured against Lotte in Gwangju on April 26.

After the game, Kia manager Lee Bum-ho said, "The hitters were focused in their chances and the bullpen pitched a no-hitter as I expected," adding, "We knew it would be a tough game against 토토사이트 Doosan ace Alcantara. We gave up the tying run after scoring early in the game, but Won-Joon Choi came through with a valuable game-winning RBI single in our clutch situation."

"Lee Chang-jin's extra-base hit in the eighth inning also came at a crucial time. We trusted Choi Won-joon and gave him a chance, and he did a great job today." "It was our first away game of the season, and the roar of many KIA fans made the victory possible. We are very grateful to them and will continue the good atmosphere in tomorrow's (March 30) game."

Kia, meanwhile, will start foreign pitcher Crowe on March 30 as they look for their fifth straight win to open the season. Crowe struggled against Kiwoom in the opener on March 23, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits, one walk, one homer and five strikeouts in 5⅔ innings, but the offense came through with the win.

Doosan, which has lost two straight games, will start foreign pitcher Brandon Waddell. Brandon picked up the win against the Changwon NC Dinos on April 24, throwing five innings of two-hit, one walk, four strikeouts and no runs.