LG's Austin Dean reignites home run race, closing to within 2 of leader Kim Do-young

LG Twins slugger Austin Dean has reignited the home run race with his first long ball in two weeks.

Dean hit his 32nd home run of the season Thursday in a road game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. With the score tied 4-4 in the top of the fifth inning and runners on first and second with no outs, Dean drove the second pitch from Kiwoom starter Raul Alcantara — a high fastball on the outer half — over the right-field wall.

The blast cut Dean's deficit behind league home run leader Kim Do-young of the KIA Tigers to two, with Kim sitting at 34.

It was Dean's first home run since July 30 against Kiwoom, ending a 14-day drought.

The American made his professional debut with the Miami Marlins in 2018 before joining the LG Twins in 2022, where he has established himself as the club's premier power hitter.