Yang Hyeon-Jong Struggles As LG Twins Rout KIA Tigers

In a dramatic showdown at Seoul's Jamsil Baseball Stadium on September 14, 2025, KIA Tigers' veteran pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong faced one of the most challenging outings of his illustrious career against the LG Twins. The 37-year-old, known as a living legend in the KBO League, struggled from the outset, leaving fans and teammates alike in disbelief as KIA suffered a crushing 14-0 defeat—a result that sent shockwaves through the league and further complicated KIA's postseason ambitions.

Yang, who entered the game with a storied career featuring 186 wins, 126 losses, and a 3.88 ERA over 2640 innings, was expected to steady the ship for the Tigers. His reputation as a workhorse and a leader on the mound is virtually unmatched. As of September 13, he had 2173 earned runs allowed and 986 walks, placing him among the elite in KBO history. His command, once a weakness, had become a hallmark in his later years, with his walk rate dropping to just 3.09 per nine innings this season—down from over 5.00 in his early years.

But on this fateful day, the script flipped. Yang was tagged for five runs in just two innings—his shortest outing of the season—before being pulled, a move that left the KIA dugout in stunned silence. According to official statistics, he surrendered five hits, five walks, and struck out two. His ERA, which stood at 4.47 before the game, ballooned to 4.73. The performance was a stark contrast to his prior start on September 7, when he held the NC Dinos to just two runs over six innings, rekindling hope that he could anchor KIA's late-season push.

From the very first pitch, Yang looked out of sorts. He allowed an infield single to LG's Shin Min-jae, then issued consecutive walks to Moon Sung-joo and Oswaldo Arcia, loading the bases with no outs. Though he managed to coax a double play from Moon Bo-gyeong, trading two outs for one run, the trouble was far from over. Kim Hyun-soo followed with a single to right, driving in another run, and by the time the inning ended, Yang had already yielded three runs.

The second inning offered little reprieve. After retiring the first batter, Yang issued another walk and, though he escaped the frame without further damage, his control woes were evident. The third inning proved to be his undoing. Yang walked the leadoff man, then another, before surrendering a single to Kim Hyun-soo, loading the bases once more. LG's Oh Ji-hwan delivered a two-run single, and with the score at 5-0, KIA manager Kim Jong-kook had no choice but to pull his ace.

According to Spotv News, "Yang Hyeon-jong is now qualified for the KBO Hall of Fame even if he retired today." The outlet noted that this was only the second time in his career he had issued five or more walks in less than three innings, the last occurrence dating back to August 14, 2010. The timing could not have been worse—KIA, sitting in eighth place and desperate for a win to keep their postseason hopes alive, instead watched their tragic number for playoff elimination shrink.

KIA's bullpen, led by Kim Ki-hoon, Han Jae-seung, and Kim Hyun-soo, managed to limit further damage through the middle innings, conceding just one additional run by the fifth. But the Tigers' bats were silent, mustering only two hits through eight innings against LG starter Anders Tolhurst, who dazzled with six scoreless innings, five strikeouts, and just two hits allowed. The LG bullpen, featuring Lee Jung-yong and Ham Deok-ju, kept the Tigers off the scoreboard, and the momentum never swung back in KIA's favor.

The floodgates opened in the eighth. LG pounced on KIA relievers, stringing together a barrage of hits, walks, and hit batters to plate nine runs in a single inning. Shin Min-jae starred with three hits, while Austin Dean contributed three walks and two RBIs. Kim Hyun-soo and Oh Ji-hwan each chipped in with multiple hits and RBIs, and by the time the dust settled, LG had reached the 80-win mark for the season—a first in the league this year—while KIA absorbed its second-worst loss of the campaign.

For Yang Hyeon-jong, the outing was a bitter pill to swallow. Injuries have plagued him in recent years, yet his resilience and professionalism have kept him among the KBO's upper echelon. As Sports Donga reported, "Yang Hyeon-jong has pitched 8 games this season with a 5.00 ERA." His leadership and consistency have been vital for KIA, but even the greats are not immune to the occasional misstep.

Despite this setback, Yang's place in KBO lore is secure. Few pitchers have matched his longevity or impact. His transformation from a fireballer with control issues to a master of command is the stuff of legend. As Spotv News put it, "He overcame early career struggles with control to become one of the league's most reliable starters." Even with a fastball that has lost some zip in his late 30s, Yang's guile and experience have allowed him to remain effective—until today, when the wheels unexpectedly came off.

KIA's offense, meanwhile, failed to provide any support. Only Yoon Do-hyun and Kim Ho-ryeong managed hits, and the team drew just two walks. The lack of production was glaring, especially against a surging LG squad eyeing a direct path to the Korean Series. LG's victory not only solidified their position atop the standings but also erased one more magic number in their quest for postseason glory.

So where do the Tigers go from here? With their playoff hopes fading and their ace reeling from a rare off-day, KIA faces a daunting road ahead. Yet if Yang Hyeon-jong's career has taught fans anything, it's never to count him out. He's bounced back from adversity before, and with a Hall of Fame legacy already cemented, the veteran lefty will no doubt be eager to prove that even legends can learn from a rough day at the office.

As the KBO League barrels toward its season finale, all eyes will be on Yang and the Tigers to see if they can regroup. For now, though, the story belongs to LG and their emphatic statement at Jamsil—a reminder that in baseball, momentum can shift in the blink of an eye.