Gwangju:The Samsung Lions took a significant step towards the South Korean baseball championship series by defeating the Kia Tigers 6-4, thanks to late-game heroics and powerful hitting, in Game 3 of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason held at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Lions now have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series and are just one win away from securing their place in the Korean Series. This victory was marked by two-run homers from Lewin Diaz and Ryu Ji-hyuk, along with crucial RBI hits by Park Seung-kyu and Koo Ja-wook in the seventh inning, which broke a 4-4 tie.

The game saw both teams hitting two home runs each, but the Lions' pitching staff outlasted the Tigers. Samsung's starter Choi Won-tae was pulled after allowing two runs in just 1 2/3 innings, but the bullpen, led by relievers like Bae Chan-seung and Won Tae-in, successfully contained the Tigers to two additional runs.

The Lions' offense ignited early with Diaz's two-run homer in the first inning. Despite the Tigers' equalizing efforts, including a solo home run from Kim Do-yeong, the Lions responded with Ryu's two-run blast in the fifth, regaining the lead.

As the game progressed into the late innings, the Lions capitalized on the Tigers' bullpen, with Park and Koo extending the lead in the seventh. The Lions' relievers then closed out the game effectively, with Satoshi Miyamori securing the final out to end the Tigers' rally attempt.

The Lions will have the opportunity to clinch the series in Game 4, scheduled for 630 p.m. on Friday, and advance to the Korean Series.