Taipei: Kia Tigers' third baseman Kim Do-yeong delivered a stellar performance at the Premier12 tournament, helping South Korea secure an 8-4 victory against Cuba at the Taipei Tianmu Baseball Stadium. Kim, who is a leading candidate for the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) MVP, showcased his offensive prowess by hitting two home runs, including a grand slam, and delivering strong defensive plays. According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim's remarkable outing included going 3-for-4 at the plate, accumulating five RBIs and scoring twice. His contributions were crucial as South Korea recovered from a previous loss to Chinese Taipei. Kim's performance was particularly noteworthy given his earlier efforts which included an RBI single, a walk, and a stolen base in the game against Chinese Taipei. Facing Cuban starter Livan Moinelo, Kim initially struck out but rebounded by launching a first-pitch fastball into left field for his first career home run with the national team. Kim's batting prowess was complemented by h is defensive skills, including a leaping catch that thwarted a potential extra-base hit and a double play initiated from a tricky grounder. Kim's 2024 season with the Kia Tigers was already impressive, nearly achieving a rare 40-40 season with 38 home runs and 40 steals. He led the KBO in several categories, including slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging. Supporting Kim's effort, Gwak Been delivered a solid start, striking out five batters over four shutout innings. Gwak, who tied for the KBO lead with 15 wins, mixed his pitches effectively to stifle the Cuban offense. Despite some challenges from the bullpen, KT Wiz closer Park Yeong-hyun secured the win with a strong performance in the ninth inning. Kim expressed satisfaction with the team's victory and acknowledged the challenge posed by pitcher Livan Moinelo, attributing his success to aggressive batting and focus. Kim emphasized the importance of maintaining his form for upcoming games and expressed confidence in his defensive capabilities. Gwak, addressing concerns about his performance in high-pressure situations, highlighted the importance of staying relaxed on the mound, a feat made easier by Kim's grand slam. Looking ahead, both players aim to build on this victory as South Korea advances in the tournament.