DAEGU, South Korea (Interstat) — The Samsung Lions rallied behind a strong start from pitcher O’Loughlin and a go‑ahead two‑run home run from shortstop Lee Jae‑hyeon to defeat the Kia Tigers 5‑2 on Saturday afternoon at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.

The win improved Samsung’s record to 24‑16‑1, while Kia fell to 20‑21‑1. A crowd of 24,000 watched the Lions even the weekend series after dropping the opener 5‑4 on Friday.

O’Loughlin delivered his third consecutive quality start, allowing two earned runs on four hits over six innings while striking out five. The right‑hander, who had won his previous two outings with a combined 12 innings of one‑run ball, scattered singles and worked around walks to keep Kia off the scoreboard until the sixth.

Kia starter Lee Eui‑lee matched O’Loughlin for much of the afternoon but was undone by a two‑out rally in the sixth. He finished with 3 earned runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out six.

The game was scoreless through two innings. Samsung broke through in the bottom of the first when left fielder Koo Ja‑wook drove a 1‑0 pitch over the right‑field wall for a solo home run, his second of the season.

The Lions added a run in the third. Designated hitter Park Sei‑hyok led off with a single, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout, and scored on an infield single by first baseman Lewin Diaz that extended the lead to 2‑0.

Kia’s offense remained quiet until the top of the sixth. Shortstop Park Min led off with a single to center field. Two batters later, right fielder Park Jae‑hyun crushed a two‑run homer to right‑center, tying the game at 2‑2. Park Jae‑hyun finished 1‑for‑4 with two RBIs.

Samsung answered immediately in the bottom half. With one out, right fielder Park Seung‑kyu walked. After a flyout, Lee Jae‑hyeon stepped to the plate and launched a two‑run homer to left field, scoring Park Seung‑kyu and giving the Lions a 4‑2 lead. Lee Jae‑hyeon went 1‑for‑2 with two RBIs and a walk.

The Lions added an insurance run in the eighth. Park Seung‑kyu led off with a walk, and pinch‑hitter Jeon Byeong‑woo also walked. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, Kia intentionally walked Jang Seung‑hyun to load the bases. Second baseman Ryu Ji‑hyuk was then hit by a pitch, forcing in Park Seung‑kyu to make it 5‑2. Kim Sung‑yoon lined out to third to end the inning.

Kia could not mount a comeback. Samsung’s bullpen combined for three scoreless innings. Lee Seung‑hyun struck out one in the seventh, Kim Jae‑yoon pitched a perfect eighth, and Lee Seung‑min retired the side in order in the ninth. Choi Ji‑min tossed a scoreless inning for Kia, allowing one hit.

Kia’s best chance after the sixth came in the top of the eighth, when Park Jae‑hyun grounded out to second with a runner on base. The Tigers managed only four hits total, with Kim Sun‑bin’s first‑inning double and Han Seung‑yeon’s second‑ inning single the only others besides Park Min’s single and Park Jae‑hyun’s homer.

For Samsung, Koo Ja‑wook also walked and stole a base, finishing 1‑for‑2 with a home run and an RBI. Diaz singled and drove in a run. Park Seung‑kyu scored twice and drew two walks.

The Lions have now won five of their past six games. Kia, which had won two straight before Friday’s series opener, dropped its second game in the three‑game set.

The teams conclude the series Sunday at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. Kia then returns home to host LG for three games, while Samsung welcomes KT Wiz for a three‑game set.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Samsung 7, Kia 4. Interstat’s ELO system gave Samsung a 58.80 percent probability to win. Kia was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus‑1.5. The total of 5 runs went under the over‑under line of 11.0.