GWANGJU, South Korea (Interstat) — The Kia Tigers broke open a tight game with a four-run outburst in the sixth and seventh innings, defeating the Kiwoom Heroes 5-1 on Thursday evening at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field to complete a three-game series sweep.

The victory improved the Tigers’ record to 9-7, moving them two games above .500, while the struggling Heroes fell to a league-worst 4-12 with their third consecutive loss.

The game’s pivotal sequence began in the bottom of the sixth inning with the score tied 1-1. Facing Kiwoom starter Raul Alcántara, Kim Sun-bin singled and Kim Do-young walked. After a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners with one out, veteran slugger Harold Castro delivered the decisive blow. He launched a first-pitch offering from Alcántara deep over the right-field wall for a three-run home run, instantly turning a deadlock into a 4-1 Kia advantage.

Alcántara, who was otherwise effective over six innings of work, was charged with three earned runs on seven hits while striking out six. The Castro homer, however, undid his solid effort and handed the Tigers a commanding lead they would not relinquish.

Kia added crucial insurance runs in the seventh against the Kiwoom bullpen. With reliever Lee Jun-woo on the mound, Kim Kyu-sung walked and Jarryd Dale was intentionally walked following a sacrifice bunt. Kim Ho-ryung then laced a double down the right-field line, clearing the bases and extending the Tigers’ lead to 5-1. Kim Ho-ryung finished the night 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

The Heroes’ offense, which managed seven hits, was stifled after scoring its lone run in the fourth inning. Kiwoom catcher Kim Gun-hee provided the early spark, going 2-for-4 with an RBI single that scored Choi Joo-hwan for a 1-0 lead.

That slim margin was protected by Alcántara until the fifth, when Kia finally broke through. Castro doubled and scored on Han Jun-su’s single to center, tying the game and setting the stage for his later heroics.

Kia’s victory was anchored by a strong collective pitching performance, led by starter James Naile. The right-hander earned the win, navigating five innings while allowing one earned run on six hits with three strikeouts. He worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fourth, limiting the damage to just one run, which proved critical in keeping the game within reach.

The Tigers’ bullpen was flawless in preserving the lead. Hong Min-gyu followed Naile with two perfect innings of relief, striking out three. Sung Yeong-tak and Hong Geon-hui closed out the final two frames, with Hong Geon-hui allowing the only baserunner against the relievers on a harmless single.

The game’s outcome aligned with pregame projections from Interstat, which gave Kia a 67.3% probability to win and simulated a final score of 5-2. The total of six runs combined fell well under the over/under line of 8.5, despite Kiwoom failing to cover the spread as a -1.5 favorite.

For the Tigers, the series sweep continues a positive stretch, having now won five of their last six games. They will look to carry this momentum into a weekend road series against the Doosan Bears beginning Friday.

The Heroes, mired in a deep slump, have lost 10 of their last 12 contests. Their offense has mustered only eight total runs in the three games against Kia this week. They face a quick turnaround, traveling to Suwon to begin a three-game set with the KT Wiz on Friday, seeking to halt their skid.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly Harold Castro’s three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the score tied 1-1 and two runners on, Castro’s blast off a previously effective Raul Alcántara transformed the contest. It broke the tie decisively, shifted all momentum permanently to the home side, and provided the Tigers with a cushion that their dominant bullpen would easily protect, effectively ending the competitive phase of the game.