5/8 Roundup and News

"Ha, ha."

I guess Lim Chang-yong has found success in the NPB.

Doosan 5, Woori 4

Doosan is starting to get predictable. They were down 4-2 in the 9th and that combustable Woori bullpen struck again. This time Woori closer Jeon Jun-ho(4.05 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 3 saves) was torched for 3 runs in the 9th. All three runs came in a hurry thanks to a 3-run bomb from Doosan warm body, Choi Jun-seok(.237/.313/.356).

Woori starting pitchers have yet another reason to hate the bullpen. A strong effort from starter Hwang Du-seong(2.72 ERA, 3-2, 1.04 WHIP) was wasted last night. Hwang tossed 7 2/3 innings(103 pitches, 67 strikes), allowing 2 runs on 5 hits an two walks while striking out 2.

KIA 3, Samsung 0

After watching this series against KIA, I'm absolutely terrified that SK is invading Daegu this weekend to battle my beloved Lions. Tip of the cap to KIA pitching last night. They deserved to win. KIA starter, Yoon Seok-min(2.59 ERA, 4-3, 1.08 WHIP) threw 7 innings of 4-hit baseball. Yoon also struck out five. KIA closer, Han Gi-ju(2.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP), tossed an 1 1/3, only allowing one walk and striking out 2, to earn his 6th save of the season. KIA's Lee Jong-beom(.246/.303/.328) went 2-4 with 2 RBI.

SK 6, LG 4


During this series SK played better than LG in every facet of the game. They pitched better, they hit better, they caught the ball better. This was a very clear example of one team with a direction and a future and one team that appears to be rudderless.

The game was tied at 4 heading into the 8th, but SK battered LG reliever, Jeong Jae-bok, for 2 runs on 3 hits. The knockout punch was an RBI double from SK leadoff hitter, Park Jae-hong(.351/.429/.662).

SK's Cho Dong-hwa(.211/.307/.250) also went 2-3 with a triple, 1 RBI and two runs scored. The only concern for SK was that ace Kim Kwang-hyeon(1.76 ERA, 6-1, 1.30 WHIP, 47 K's in 46 IP) didn't fare very well against LG. Kim only threw 4 2/3 innings(84 pitches, 53 strikes) allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, 3 walks and one plunked batter. Kim did record 8 K's on the evening.

This weekend, I will finally get to see SK in person and attempt to answer a burning question. "Are these guys the best team in Asia?"

Hanhwa 5, Lotte 3


Hanhwa swept Lotte. I didn't see that one coming. One of the few bright spots was Lotte's Ma Hae-yeong(.162/.333/.324) recording his 1000th RBI on a bases loaded walk. He kept the ball, eventually. Lotte held a 3-0 lead heading into the 8th, but starter Jo Jeong-hoon(Made his 1st start last night) ran out of gas and Bae Jang-ho didn't spell relief. When the third out of the inning was finally recorded, Lotte had surrendered 5 runs. Hanhwa's Ahn Yeong-myeong(2.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 3 holds) threw both the 8th and 9th inning to record his 1st save this season.

Doug Clark(.316/.405/.618) and Lee Beom-ho(.280/.379/.480) had 2 RBI apiece for Hanhwa. Doug Clark is making a strong push for KBO MVP this season. If Hanhwa makes the playoffs, he'll probably deserve it.