A high-scoring fifth inning allowed the KT Wiz to pick up a 10-5 victory over the Lotte Giants on Wednesday. The game concluded a two-game series between the teams, tying it up 1-1.
The Giants hosted the game at the Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, South Korea.
Fifth Inning Gives Wiz Lead
The fifth inning was a turning point in the game, as the Wiz pulled ahead in the score to a lead that the Giants couldn’t come close to matching.
The scoring kicked off with a hit from Kang Baek-ho that took home a runner. Giants starter Adrian Sampson was pulled from play after this.
Kim Geon-guk was the first reliever in for the Giants. He was pulled after facing three batters, allowing two of them to get on base.
Seo Jun-won was able to close the inning for the Giants, but not before giving up a grand slam home run to Jang Sung-woo.
Early Runs Leave Teams Tied
The Wiz and Giants took turns scoring in the first half of the game, being tied 3-3 after trading shots.
The first run for the Wiz came off the bat of star player Mel Rojas Jr., who hit a ball to the outfield and allowed a runner to get home from first base.
The Giants answered back later in the inning, as a ground ball from Lee Dae-ho brought a runner home.
Giving the Giants the lead in the game for the first time, Jeon Jun-woo hit a two-run home run in the third inning to make the game 3-1.
The Wiz tied up the game again in the fourth inning. After a hit from Jo Yong-ho drove home a run, Jang Sung-woo tied it up with a hit of his own.
Late Runs Do Not Change Outcome For Giants
Runs came from both teams later in the game, although the Wiz finished with the same run differential than what they had after the fifth inning.
An inning-long performance from Wiz pitcher Jo Hyun-woo saw him allow two runs, walking batters to force runs home. He was able to finish the inning before allowing any more runs.
The Wiz scored late to take the game to its final score, as Bae Jeong-dae and Rojas Jr. both batted runs home.
Starters Given Decision
Giants starter Adrian Sampson was given the loss for the game, taking his 2020 record to 5-10. The performance makes him only the fifth pitcher in the KBO this season to lose 10 or more games.
Wiz pitcher William Cuevas was given a win for his five-inning performance. Giving up three runs, eight hits and three walks, Cuevas earned three strikeouts. His 2020 record is now 9-6.
Giants Head To Eagles Home Park
The Giants will hit the road for their next games, starting a two-game series against the Hanhwa Eagles on Thursday. The first pitch for Thursday’s game is scheduled for 6:30PM KST (5:30AM EDT).
Around The KBO
The LG Twins won 6-2, picking up four of those runs against SK Wyverns starter Moon Seung-won.
Scoring six runs early, the Hanhwa Eagles coasted to a 6-5 win against the Doosan Bears.
The Kiwoom Heroes won a blowout game on Wednesday, defeating the Kia Tigers 13-1.
Two innings early saw the NC Dinos score four runs each time, allowing them to take an 8-7 win against the Samsung Lions.
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