A rough start from Lotte Giants pitcher Seo Jun-won allowed the Kia Tigers to bring home seven runs over four innings, winning with a final score of 9-2.
Jun-won was pulled after the fourth, giving up 11 hits, finishing the game with an ERA of 15.75. Being handed the loss, his record for this season is now at 1-1. In 2019, his debut season for the Giants, Jun-won finished the season with a 4-11 record over 33 appearances.
Scoring Begins Early For Tigers
The Tigers got to work early, with a home run from Na Ji-wan putting the team up by three in the first inning.
Another home run came an inning later, with Tigers first baseman Hwang Dae-in crushing a ball past left field. Kim Sun-bin batted in another run in the inning, getting a single off of an infield hit while Hwang Yoon-ho scored.
The lead got extended even more in the fourth inning, starting with a solo home run from Han Seung-taek, making the lead 6-0. A hit from Kim Sun-bin brought Park Chan-ho home later in the inning.
Two Little, Too Late For Giants
Down by seven runs, the Giants finally got on the board in the fifth inning. A hit from Jung Bo-geun allowed Han Dong-hee to get home.
In the final inning that Tigers starter Lee Min-woo pitched, a fly ball fron An Chi-hong gave Son Ah-seop the chance to score, making the game 7-2.
Min-woo finished the game after allowing four hits and getting six strikeouts.
Final Runs For Tigers
The Tigers got two more runs in with their final batting appearance of the game. In the eighth inning, Ko Hyo-jung hit a batter with a pitch, forcing a run home due to the loaded bases. In the next play, a fly ball hit by Choi Won-joon brought Preston Tucker home.
Closing the show, Tigers pitcher Moon Kyung-chan struck out three-straight Giants batters in the ninth inning.
Tigers Look To Win Two More At Home
Shin Bon-gi was back in the lineup for the Giants in this game after missing a couple outings last week. With Bon-gi being cycled back in, Heo Il was taken out of the lineup.
With a 7-5 record, the Giants are currently tied for fourth with the Doosan Bears. The Tigers sit in sixth with a 6-7 record. The second game of the three game series is scheduled for 6:30PM KST (5:30AM EDT) on Wednesday.
Around The KBO
Early hot bats from the LG Twins allowed them to cruise to a 10-6 victory against the Samsung Lions.
While the Hanhwa Eagles were able to heat up near the end of their game, including a nine-run inning, they could not catch up to the lead the KT Wiz held, winning the game 13-11.
Despite replacing their starter early, the Kiwoom Heroes were able to defeat the SK Wyverns 11-6. With the loss, the Wyverns extend their losing streak to 10 games.
Weathering a late storm from the Doosan Bears, the NC Dinos were able to win 5-4. At the top of the KBO standings, the Dinos are on a seven-game winning streak.
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