SUWON, South Korea (Interstat) — In a stark reversal of recent form and pregame projections, the struggling Kiwoom Heroes rode a dominant pitching performance from Ha Yeong-min to a 3-1 victory over the KT Wiz on Sunday afternoon, snapping a four-game losing streak and avoiding a series sweep at Suwon Baseball Stadium.

A crowd of 10,403 watched as the Heroes, who entered the day with the worst record in the league at 4-14, outplayed the first-place Wiz (13-6) in a briskly played contest that lasted 2 hours and 53 minutes. The result defied statistical expectations, as Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 6-1 KT win, giving the Wiz a 72.5 percent probability of victory.

The story of the game was Kiwoom starter Ha Yeong-min. The right-hander delivered a masterful outing, silencing a potent KT lineup over seven shutout innings. He allowed just three hits, walked none and struck out five, requiring only 89 pitches. This performance marked a dramatic turnaround for Ha, who was tagged for six earned runs in a loss to the Kia Tigers just five days prior on April 14.

Ha’s brilliance overshadowed a solid start from KT’s Ko Young-pyo, who went six innings and allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts. However, Ko was outdueled by his counterpart.

The Heroes provided Ha with just enough offensive support, scoring single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. They broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth when left fielder Park Ju-hong led off the frame by driving a Ko Young-pyo offering over the center field wall for a solo home run.

Kiwoom doubled its lead in the sixth. With two outs and nobody on, Choo Jae-hyun connected for another solo shot, this time to right field off Ko, making it 2-0.

The most critical insurance run came in the seventh. With two outs, center fielder Lee Ju-hyoung laced a double into the right-center gap, scoring Kim Dong-heon from second base. That hit extended the lead to 3-0 and proved decisive.

KT’s offense, which had averaged over five runs per game during its strong start, was stifled by Ha and the Kiwoom bullpen. The Wiz managed only five hits total and went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. They squandered a key opportunity in the fourth inning after Choi Won-joon led off with a double and Kim Sang-su walked. Ha induced a flyout from Kim Hyun-soo and then a ground ball from Jang Sung-woo that resulted in an inning-ending double play.

The Wiz finally broke through in the bottom of the ninth against Kiwoom reliever Park Jeong-hun. With one out, pinch-hitter Oh Yun-suk singled, and An Chi-young walked. After a strikeout, Kim Sang-su drew a walk to load the bases. Kim Hyun-soo then worked another walk, forcing in KT’s lone run. With the tying run at the plate, Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki summoned Yuto Kanakubo from the bullpen. The right-hander needed just one pitch, striking out Jang Sung-woo looking to end the game and secure the save.

The victory provides a much-needed respite for the Heroes, who had lost 14 of their previous 17 games, including the first two contests of this series by scores of 5-0 and 4-2. For the Wiz, the loss is a minor stumble in an otherwise impressive early-season campaign.

Kiwoom’s bullpen, after Ha’s lengthy start, used three pitchers to navigate the final two innings. Son Dong-hyun was effective in relief for KT, throwing 1 1/3 perfect innings with two strikeouts.

The Heroes next return home to Seoul to begin a three-game series against the NC Dinos on Tuesday. The Wiz will remain in Suwon to open a three-game set against the Kia Tigers, also on Tuesday.