With the addition of starting pitcher Ben Lively back in their rotation, the Samsung Lions won a 5-2 game against the Lotte Giants on Saturday. The game was at their home field, the Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, South Korea.
Giants Score First But Lose Lead Shortly After
The small amount of scoring that came from the Giants was early, as a hit in the first inning from Heo Il scored two runs.
The following innings saw the Lions score numerous runs. In the third inning, a hit from Kim Sang-su scored the first run for the home team. An inning later a sacrifice fly from Lee Sung-gon tied the game up.
Giants starter Park Se-woong was taken out during the fourth inning.
The Lions took the lead in the fifth against reliever Lee In-bok. Moving ahead by a run, Kang Min-ho drove a runner home off of a hit. Lee was given the loss for his performance, making it his third of the year.
Lively Has Strong Return
Lions starter Ben Lively made his return in this game after an injury in late May benched him. He pitched a solid five innings, allowing only two runs and five hits. The game gave Lively his first win of the season, moving his record to 1-3.
The Giants came near scoring in the sixth against Kim Yoon-soo, who was the first reliever of four who appeared for the home team. With a runner on third base, Kim was able to finish the inning without letting a run score.
The Lions tacked on insurance runs in the seventh inning as solo home runs from both Lee Sung-gon and Lee Sung-gyu were hit. The home runs came against reliever Park Jin-hyung.
Lions Aim For Sweep
The Lions continue their battle for fifth in the league versus the Twins. Both nine games behind, the Twins stayed in fifth after winning their respective games on Saturday.
Looking for the sweep tomorrow, the Lions will host the Giants once more before the week of play ends. The first pitch for Sunday’s game is set for 5:00PM KST (4:00AM EDT).
Around The KBO
A low-scoring matchup saw the LG Twins get a 3-1 win over the Hanhwa Eagles. Starting pitcher for the Twins Cha Woo-chan played seven innings, allowing only five hits.
Keeping his ERA at a record low in the year of 1.35 this season, Koo Chang-mo pitched seven innings while only allowing two hits for the NC Dinos on Saturday. His performance helped the team get a 6-1 win against the KT Wiz.
The Kiwoom Heroes won a 4-1 game over the SK Wyverns on the road.
In a shutout victory, the Doosan Bears defeated the Kia Tigers 6-0. With both the Heroes and Bears winning their games, they stay in close competition for the second-place spot in the KBO.
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