Ahn Jae-seok Erases Early Error With Walk-Off as Doosan Bears Beat KIA 3-2

Ahn Jae-seok turned an early defensive mistake into a night of redemption, driving in the tying run before delivering a two-out walk-off single in the ninth inning as the Doosan Bears defeated the KIA Tigers 3-2 at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on Wednesday, September 23.

The Doosan third baseman finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, extended his hitting streak to five games and kept the fifth-place Bears within four games of fourth-place KIA in the closing stage of the KBO regular season.

Ahn recovers after costly first-inning error

The game began badly for Ahn. KIA leadoff hitter Kim Ho-ryung doubled and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt before Kim Sun-bin hit a ground ball toward third base. Ahn failed to secure it, allowing Kim Ho-ryung to score the opening run.

It was Ahn’s 15th error of the season, the most among KBO third basemen. KIA added another run in the third when Kim Sun-bin doubled home Byun Woo-hyuk, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead.

Doosan began its comeback in the bottom of the third. Oh Myung-jin doubled, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Jung Soo-bin’s groundout.

Ahn then made his first offensive intervention in the fifth. Jung singled and stole second before Ahn lined a two-out RBI single off KIA starter Adam Oller, bringing the Bears level at 2-2.

Two-out hit ends pitching duel

The score remained tied into the ninth after both starters produced quality outings. Doosan’s Jack Logue and KIA’s Oller each allowed two runs over six innings, leaving the game to the bullpens.

KIA closer Lee Eui-lee entered for the bottom of the ninth and retired the first batter before walking Kang Seung-ho. After the second out, Kang stole second to put the winning run in scoring position.

Ahn then attacked Lee’s pitch and sent a single into right field. Kang scored from second without a play, and Ahn raced toward celebrating teammates as Doosan completed the comeback in front of a sellout crowd of 23,750.

Lee Young-ha earned the win, improving to 6-5, while Lee Eui-lee took the loss. The Bears and Tigers finished their 2026 regular-season series tied at eight wins apiece.

Doosan strengthens postseason position

The victory lifted Doosan to 67-62-5 and protected its hold on the final KBO postseason place. KIA dropped to 71-58-2 and fell 3.5 games behind the third-place LG Twins.

For Ahn, the performance captured both sides of a complicated season. His move from shortstop to third base has produced defensive growing pains, but his bat has become increasingly important to the Bears.

Through 100 games, the 24-year-old is batting .272 with 101 hits, 10 home runs, 61 RBIs and 26 doubles. His .303 average with runners in scoring position helps explain why Doosan continues to trust him in important situations despite the errors.

On Wednesday, that trust delivered the result. Ahn’s glove gave KIA its first run, but his bat produced Doosan’s final two—and ensured the mistake would not define the night.