“I’m not tired despite losing 4 kg”: Samsung’s powerhouse lineup shut out over two perfect innings ... ‘Guardian of Zero’ leads KIA’s fight to stay alive

[Financial News] Concerns about the closer that had plagued the Tiger team all season were completely erased on the postseason stage.
Jeon Sang-hyun, an unyielding guardian who has not allowed a single run despite a grueling stretch that has cost him 4 kg, has firmly shut the door at the back of the bullpen.
The Kia Tigers beat the Samsung Lions 4-2 in Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League playoffs (PO, a best-of-five series) at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 30th, forcing a deciding Game 5. The pivotal moment that rescued the team from the brink came courtesy of Jeon Sang-hyun, who took the mound as the eighth inning began.
Jeon Sang-hyun took the mound in the top of the eighth with his team leading 4-2 but being chased, and pitched two perfect innings without allowing a hit. He retired Park Seung-kyu, who had been hitting the ball sharply, followed by Koo Ja-wook and Lewin Díaz, all on flyouts, to blank the eighth. In the top of the ninth, he got Choi Hyoung-woo, who had homered in his previous at-bat, to fly out to center, then struck out Kim Young-woong swinging and retired Kim Hun-gon on a line drive to third, earning his third save of the postseason.

Jeon Sang-hyun’s pitching record this postseason has been remarkable.
Across five postseason games, including two in the semi-playoffs against the LG Twins, he has thrown 7⅓ innings without allowing a single run. Though his frequent outings of more than one inning have pushed his physical workload toward its peak, his stuff is actually getting better.
After the game, Jeon Sang-hyun said, “I lost about 4 kg without even realizing it, so I’m forcing myself to eat and recover,” but added, “Now isn’t the time to worry about my physical condition. I used to feel worn out the next day if I threw a lot, but my body has adapted. I’m not tired at all.” He showed his mental toughness.
He is also clearly motivated. “I was really angry after losing Game 3. I didn’t want the season to end like this; all I could think about was how desperately I wanted to get to Suwon (for the Korean Series),” Jeon said. He added, “The crowd’s incredible support gives me a huge boost on the mound. I just trust catcher Han Jun-soo and senior catcher Kim Tae-gun to guide me as I pitch.”
Having earned the coaching staff’s complete trust late in the season and gained valuable experience, Jeon Sang-hyun has now fully emerged as one of the KBO League’s top closers. The teams, tied at two wins apiece, will face off in a winner-take-all game on the 1st of next month at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. Even while battling through weight loss, Jeon, whose ERA remains at “0,” is waiting for the call to take the mound in Daegu.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter