A near-shutout performance from the Lotte Giants saw the team defeat the top-ranked NC Dinos 5-1 on Saturday. The game was the first of a three-game series at the Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, South Korea.
Park Has Strongest Outing of 2020
The win was lead by Giants starter Park Se-woong, who held the Dinos scoreless in his outing.
Park had a successful game, allowing only five hits through the seven innings he played. The win for Park evened his 2020 record at 7-7. The game was only his second of the year that kept a team scoreless, with the other being a five-inning performance against the Doosan Bears last July.
Giants Put Down Five To Win Against Starter Song
The Giants had a few scoring plays in the game that put them ahead.
The first run for the Giants came in the third inning, as a hit from Han Dong-hee took home a runner.
The Giants extended their score in the fifth inning after two-run home runs from both Jeon Jun-woo and Lee Byung-kyu. Dinos starting pitcher Song Myung-gi was pulled after the second home run.
Being given the loss for the game, Song’s 2020 record is now 3-3. Song’s four-and-two-thirds stint saw him allow seven hits and five walks while earning four strikeouts. Previously playing as a reliever, Song made his first start of the season in mid-August.
Dinos Score One Late
Preventing a shutout loss, Dinos player Yang Eui-ji hit a solo home run in the ninth inning. The home run came against Kim Geon-guk, who earned the first two outs of the ninth inning. Closer Kim Won-joong came in for the final out, earning him his 18th save of the season.
Giants and Dinos To Play Doubleheader on Sunday
The Giants and Dinos will finish their week with a doubleheader on Sunday. The afternoon game has a scheduled first pitch for 2:00PM KST (1:00AM EDT), with the follow-up game scheduled for 5:00PM KST (4:00AM EDT).
Around The KBO
Keeping the Hanhwa Eagles scoreless, the Kia Tigers won 8-0 on Saturday. The defensive front from the Tigers saw starter Aaron Brooks pitch seven scoreless innings.
While the KT Wiz tacked onto their minimal lead late, it wasn’t necessary as the team took a shutout 5-0 win over the SK Wyverns.
Attempting to battle back late with four runs in the final two innings, the Samsung Lions fell short, losing 8-7 to the Kiwoom Heroes.
A high-scoring game saw the LG Twins defeat the Doosan Bears 9-6. The loss saw the Bears, a previous challenger for first in the league, drop down to sixth place.
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