GWANGJU (Interstat) — The Kia Tigers defeated the Samsung Lions 5-2 on Friday evening at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in front of 20,500. Kia improved to 31-26-1, while Samsung fell to 32-23-1.

The Tigers jumped ahead with two runs in the first inning. Na Sung-bum doubled down the left-field line, scoring Kim Seon-bin, and Aderlin Rodriguez singled to bring home Kim Do-young. Park Min extended the lead with a two-run homer to left in the fourth, scoring Yoon Do-hyun. Kim Min-gyu added an insurance run in the seventh on a single by Kim Do-young.

Samsung’s offense was held scoreless until the ninth, when the Lions pushed across two runs. The Lions managed only five hits in the game, while Kia collected nine.

Pitcher Oller earned the win for Kia, while O’Loughlin took the loss for Samsung. The two teams continue their three-game series Saturday.