LG Twins vs NC Dinos

LG wasted no time. A four-run second inning broke the game open early, capped by a series of hits that chased NC starter Koo Chang-mo into early trouble. The first inning produced one run, and then the Twins piled on four more in the second off Koo.

After two scoreless middle frames, LG added three more in the seventh to bury any comeback hopes. The bullpen closed it out with three scoreless innings of relief behind Im Chan-kyu.

The game effectively ended in the second inning. After scoring one in the first, LG sent nine men to the plate in the second, scoring four runs on a sequence of well-struck singles and doubles that pushed the lead to 5-0 before NC had settled into the game. NC committed two errors in the field over the course of the night, further undermining Koo Chang-mo's bid to keep the Dinos within striking distance.

Im Chan-kyu (LG Twins) — The 33-year-old veteran earned his eighth win of the season, scattering 4 hits over 6 innings while striking out 7 and walking just 1. He did not allow a runner past second base. The start was his first win against NC since July 2018, snapping a lengthy drought against the Dinos.

Koo Chang-mo (NC Dinos) — The lefty took the loss, lasting only 4 innings. He allowed 5 earned runs on 6 hits with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks, falling to 8-10 on the season.

LG Twins lineup (collective) — The home side racked up 10 hits and drew 4 walks, putting constant pressure on NC pitching. Three different LG batters drove in runs during the second-inning rally alone.

LG out-hit NC 10-4 and committed no errors while NC made 2. The Twins' 8 runs came across three innings — the first, second and seventh — demonstrating their ability to strike in clusters. NC's 4 hits were all singles, and the Dinos never advanced a runner to third base all night.

LG's third straight win (following a 5-4 walk-off victory over NC on August 25 and a 12-3 win over Hanwha on August 23) keeps them in the top-four KBO picture. At 62-50-1, they sit 5 games behind first-place KT Wiz (64-42-3) and half a game behind second-place Samsung (65-44-3).

NC, meanwhile, have lost three of their last four and remain 8th in the 10-team league at 48-57-2. The Dinos are now 5.5 games out of the fifth and final playoff spot.

Both teams meet again on Thursday 27 August for the second game of this three-game weekend series at Jamsil, with first pitch at 18:30 KST. LG will look for the series win before heading to Busan to face the Lotte Giants on 28 August, while NC travel to Daejeon to play Hanwha on the same day.

This was a dominant all-round performance from LG, built on Im Chan-kyu's superb control and early run support. NC never had a chance to breathe after the second inning. The Twins look like a team peaking at the right time in the playoff race.