Winning their second game of the series, the Samsung Lions took a 3-1 win against the Lotte Giants on Thursday. The game was the last of the Giants’ home stretch at the Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, Korea.
Two Debuts, Different Fortunes
Lions starter Heo Yoon-dong held off Giants batters early in the game. His performance gave him a win in his first KBO appearance. The 18-year-old pitched five innings, allowing four hits and one walk.
Also debuting in the KBO was Adrian Sampson, who was pulled in the fourth inning after a second run came against him. Making his first KBO appearance, Sampson was given a loss after allowing three hits and two runs.
Four Runs, Four Different Innings
It looked as if the Giants would get up by three runs in the first inning, as a hit into left field by Lee Dae-ho was ruled as a home run. However, upon instant replay, the ruling was overturned as it was actually in foul territory.
After the Giants nearly got on the board first, it was the Lions who were able to get a run in. A hit from Kim Heon-gon into left field allowed Park Chan-ho to score.
Adding a second run to the lead, Tyler Saladino brought in Lee Won-seok in the fourth.
Heon-gon picked up another RBI in the sixth, batting in the third and final run for the Lions.
The Giants scored in the eighth inning after a hit from Kim Joon-tae brought in a runner.
Teams To Meet Familiar Faces For The First Time
With a 2-1 three-game series, the Lions moved up to eighth place in the KBO, now ranked above the Hanhwa Eagles. The Giants have an even 10-10 record now, remaining in fifth place.
The Giants now hit the road for a three-game series against the Doosan Bears. They’re the first team this season they’ve met before, losing two of three games to the defending champions earlier in May.
The Lions will head home, hosting the currently top-ranked NC Dinos. In their season-opening series, the Lions were swept three-games-to-none by the Dinos.
First pitch for both Friday games start at 6:30PM KST (5:30AM EDT).
Around The KBO
Strong pitching lead by Casey Kelley allowed the LG Twins to earn a shutout 3-0 win against the Hanhwa Eagles. With the win, the Twins swept the series.
Bouncing back from two consecutive losses, the SK Wyverns got a 6-1 win against the Doosan Bears.
A strong fifth inning helped lead the KT Wiz to a 6-5 win against the Kia Tigers.
Earning their fifth win in a row, the NC Dinos got a 9-6 win over the Kiwoom Heroes.
JackWannan.com 