Making a nine-run comeback in the seventh inning, the Lotte Giants were able to fight back against the Samsung Lions for a 13-8 win on Thursday. The victory started a two-game series hosted by the Giants at the Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, South Korea.
The game saw the Lions ahead first, as the team was able to put up seven runs in the first four innings. While the Giants scored early as well, the seventh inning was crucial for them winning the game.
The seventh inning saw the Lions use three different pitchers. The Giants were able to do 14 at-bats, with seven of those at-bats having scoring plays attached to them.
Lions Put Down Seven Runs Against Straily
The performance from starter Dan Straily lasted six innings, giving up seven runs during his performance. The first two innings saw him give up one run, with the third and fourth seeing three runs score each. The no-decision for Straily broke an 11-game streak of being given either a win or a loss.
Straily had a single-game ERA of 10.50, the second-highest he has gotten this season (his highest is an August 18th loss to the Doosan Bears).
The first run for the Lions came early, as a ground-rule double for Koo Ja-wook took home a runner.
Business picked back up in the third inning for the Lions. After putting two runners on base, the Lions scored after a fly ball dropped in for a hit in right field. The ball, which was hit by Koo Ja-wook, dropped in fair and allowed a run.
A hit from Kim Dong-yeop later in the inning gave the team two more runs, making the score 4-0.
The first two runs for the Giants came in the third inning after a two-run home run from Jeon Jun-woo.
Going back to scoring in the fourth inning, the Lions were able to move the game to a 7-2 score. Driving home a run each, Park Gye-beom and Kang Han-wool earned hits in the inning. The third run came off of a ground ball from Koo Ja-wook that allowed Park Hae-min to get home.
Putting down another run for the Giants was An Chi-hong, who hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. While starter Kim Dae-woo finished the inning, his stint did not go past the fourth.
The Giants were able to put down one run in the sixth inning, as a hit from Jeon Jun-woo took a runner around from second base. While the run scored with Choi Ji-gwang on the mound, it was ruled a run against the previous reliever, Noh Sung-ho.
The last run for the Lions came in the eighth inning, as a wild pitch from reliever Kim Geon-guk allowed runner Kang Han-wool to get home.
Kim’s performance in the seventh inning earned him the win for the game. The stint gave him his first decision of 2020 through 16 appearances.
Marathon of Runs Give Giants Lead In Seventh
The first pitcher in the seventh inning for the Lions was Choi Ji-gwang. He was taken out of play after allowing two runs after facing five batters. Up next came Kim Yoon-soo, who gave up three hits and a walk while earning the second out. Four runs came in during his stint, two of which were scored against the previous pitcher, Choi.
While reliever Jang Pil-joon was able to enter the game and finish the inning, three more runs came in off of two more hits. By the time he finished the inning, the Giants had scored nine runs, and the game had moved to what would be its final score, 13-8.
The loss for the game was given to Kim, the second pitcher of the trio to appear in the eighth inning. The loss makes his 2020 record 3-4 through 47 appearances.
Giants To Host Lions Once More
The Giants are set to host the Lions on Friday, with the first pitch for that game scheduled for 6:30PM KST (5:30AM EDT). After that, the Giants will head to Incheon for a weekend series against the SK Wyverns.
Around The KBO
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Breaking a tie late in the game, a hit from Choi Joo-hwan gave the Doosan Bears a 5-4 win against the Kia Tigers.
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