While the NC Dinos were able to battle back from a deficit late on Wednesday, the Lotte Giants were able to win 7-5 after a three-run hit from Kim Joon-tae in the 10th inning.
The win tied up a two-game series between the teams that was hosted at the home ballpark for the Dinos, the Changwon NC Park in Changwon, South Korea.
The Giants picked up a lead early, putting down four runs in the opening innings. The runs gave the team a lead that they held onto until the ninth inning, where the Dinos were able to tie up the game and force extra innings.
Giants Score Four In The First
After the bases were loaded by starting pitcher Mike Wright, Giants player Lee Dae-ho drove home two runners off of a hit.
A ground ball from Dixon Machado and a hit from An Chi-hong later in the inning both scored runs, making the game 4-0 for the Busan squad.
Dinos Start Scoring
The Dinos started to answer back in the fifth, as a solo home run from Na Sung-bum shortened the Giants lead to three runs.
The fifth was the final inning for Giants starter Noh Kyung-eun. Although the five-inning appearance was not a win for Noh, it was a good rebound following two consecutive losses that saw him give up numerous runs.
The Dinos picked up their second run in the eighth inning, as a hit from No Jin-hyuk drove home a runner. The run came against reliever Koo Seung-min.
Game Gets Tied Late
The Dinos were able to string together runs late in the game to stay alive.
Controversy emerged early in the bottom of the ninth inning, as a call at second base against runner Park Min-woo had to be reviewed. Although some camera angles indicated there were points when Park was off the base while shortstop Machado tagged him, the umpires ruled Park as safe on the play. The Giants, who challenged the initial call, protested it for a short period of time afterwards as well.
The large amount of attention devoted to second base overshadowed the fact that it was also a scoring play that took a runner home, moving the game to 4-3.
Later in the inning a hit from Yang Eui-ji scored a run, tying the game up at 4-4.
10th Inning Pitcher Won Given Loss
The deciding runs batted in by Kim in the 10th upped his 2020 tally of runs to 28. The play took home three runners, two of which were walked.
The loss for the game was given to reliever Won Jong-hyun, who allowed the three runs in the 10th inning. He had played the full ninth inning before entering in extra innings.
The loss, his fourth of the year, makes his 2020 record a negative 3-4.
Kim Stays Through 10th For Win
Despite allowing runs in the ninth inning, Giants closer Kim Won-joong returned in the 10th to finish the game. While he did finish the game, he allowed another run off of a ground ball from Kwon Hee-dong. Kim earned his fourth win of the season for his two-inning outing.
A Return To Busan To Face Lions
Having finished their two games against the Dinos, the Giants will now head back home for a two-game series against the Samsung Lions. The team currently has a 50-48-1 record and sits seventh in the KBO, three games behind the sixth-place Kia Tigers.
Around The KBO
The Hanhwa Eagles earned a win and a tie on Wednesday in a two-game series against the Samsung Lions. After tying their afternoon game 4-4, the Eagles won a shutout 7-0 evening matchup.
A high-scoring win for the Kiwoom Heroes saw them defeat the SK Wyverns 13-4.
Giving the KT Wiz a lead in the 11th inning, Mel Rojas Jr. hit a two-run home run to put the team up 4-2 over the Doosan Bears. The Wiz were able to hold onto their lead to get the win.
A game between the LG Twins and the hosting Kia Tigers was rained out.
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