A cycling hit was one triple short of the cycle, but it was enough for the KT Wiz to win their fifth straight game.

KT won the 15th game of the season against the Doosan Bears 9-8 on Sunday at Jamsil Stadium behind the bat of Jang Jang-woo, who had four hits and five RBIs, including a three-run homer in the first inning.

With the win, KT swept the series against Doosan, extending its winning streak to five games, which began on April 12 against the NC Dinos. The team is now 12-2 in August with a winning percentage of 8.05%.

Until June 2, KT had a record of 16 wins and 30 losses. Their win-loss margin was a whopping -14. But then KT’s magic began. Starting with a 15-8 record in June (1st overall), the team went on a three-month surge with a 13-6 record in July (3rd) and a 12-2 record in August (1st).

KT, which was in third place by one game behind second-place SSG Landers until the previous day, added one more win today to reach 56W45L2. If SSG Landers (55W43L1D as of the 16th) loses to the Lotte Giants, they will move into third place, trailing only in win percentage.

At the center of the victory was the top of the order of Kim Min-hyuk, Bae Jeong-dae, Jang Sung-woo, and Alford, as well as Son Dong-hyun, who saved the day.

Before the game, Bae Jeong-dae addressed the assault controversy on his social media accounts. In response, KT manager Lee Kang-cheol said, “The club has no comment,” and he started the game in center field as the No. 2 hitter.

KT pounced on Doosan in the first inning. After Kim Min-hyuk singled and Alford walked to put runners on first and second, Jang Sung-woo launched a 115-meter home run over the left field fence. Then, Moon Sang-chul doubled and Kim Sang-soo singled, scoring four runs in the first inning to put pressure on Doosan starter Brandon.

Doosan, who calmed down under the encouragement of manager Lee Seung-yeop, was also fierce. In the top of the first inning, KT starter Benjamin faced a bases-loaded situation after back-to-back singles, an error, and a walk. He gave up a double to Doosan’s Kim Jae-hwan, but was able to get out of the jam.

In the second inning, he gave up an RBI single to Kim Jae-ho. But he didn’t allow the lead to slip away.

KT also fought back. In the top of the third, Alford led off with a single and scored on Jang Jang-woo’s RBI double. In the fifth inning, after a leadoff walk, Alford hit a two-run double off the center field fence to drive in Doosan’s Brandon. Jang Jang-woo followed with another RBI single to extend the lead to 7-3.

Benjamin gave up a fourth run in the bottom of the fifth on a single to Doosan’s Kang Seung-ho, but he asked the coaching staff to “wait for one batter” before closing out the inning and earning the win.

Against Doosan’s Choi Won-jun, who made his first appearance in the bullpen in 1022 days, KT scored a run in the top of the sixth inning on back-to-back singles by Kim Min-hyuk and Choi Jae-dae. In the bottom of the sixth, reliever Kim Young-hyun loaded the bases with one out on a single and two walks, but Son Dong-hyun was brought in early to cut the deficit to one run. In particular, Choi’s catch of a deep fly ball to center field with runners on first and second stood out as he threw his entire body over the fence.

In the top of the ninth inning, Doosan brought in closer Chung Chul-won. However, KT scored a run on a double by Choi and an RBI single by pinch-hitter Kim Jun-tae.

“It’s hard to pitch today,” Lee said of his closer, Kim Jae-yoon. Kim Jae-yoon had recently pitched on the 13th, 15th, and 16th.

As a result, Son Dong-hyun took over the multi-inning role until the seventh inning. Joo took the mound in the eighth and ninth innings, but gave up a solo shot to Doosan Rojas and was immediately replaced by Park Young-hyun.

It wasn’t an easy decision, as Park also pitched the 12th, 13th, 15th, and 16th innings. Young-hyun gave up four hits and was down by one run, but was able to get out of the jam with runners on second and third to preserve the win.

In the three-game series, KT’s cheerleader Kim Hansul was replaced by Kim Joo-ju, who cheered in a squeaky voice. The team was happy to continue their winning streak. 토토사이트