Thursday, October 9, 2008

KBO Playoffs Round 1, Game 1 Roundup and News




It must be playoff time in Korea. The inflatable animals have been released.

The Korea Times has a write up of last nights events.

In other news, Koreabeat has posted this. I'm actually not sure what to say. The idea of Koreans attempting an alcohol ban does not compute. It does say the sale of alcoholic beverages, not the consumption. I think we're still going to see vendors outside the stadium selling beer and soju. I don't think there's anything to worry about....yet.



Samsung 12, Lotte 3
W - Bae Yeong-su, L - Song Seung-joon
Samsung leads 1-0

Wow. I didn't see this one coming at all. If I had never seen a KBO game and I watched last night for the first time, I would have to assume that Samsung is the best team in the league. The Lions dominated every facet of the game last night. They hit, they ran, they caught, they threw. They looked like a competent baseball team. Where were these guys all year?

Lotte got the party started with an RBI single from Son Kwang-min in the 2nd inning and it looked like it would be a long night for Samsung pitching. Then, the 3rd inning happened. Lotte starting pitcher, Song Seung-joon couldn't get anyone out. It was a 7-run, hit parade that featured 11 men coming to the plate. Looking at Song's season numbers, I was surprised that his WHIP was so high for a pitcher with an ERA under 4. Last night, the baseball gods evened things out. Song only lasted 2 2/3 innings last night. He allowed 6 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks. But look at the bright side! He might be able to pitch game 4!

The top of the order delivered for Samsung. Leadoff hitter, Park Han-yi, finished the night 4-6 with a double, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Park Seok-min hit from the #2 slot and delivered a line of 4-5 with a HBP, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. The ageless wonder Yang Joon-hyeok, hitting 3rd, went 3-5 with a walk, 2 RBI and 1 run scored.

Samsung starter, Bae Yeong-su, was Bae Yeong-su. He labored through 5 innings(70 pitches, 43 strikes) of "bend, but don't break" baseball. He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits with 2 K's. The Samsung bullpen closed the door on any kind of a Lotte comeback. 3 relievers scattered 3 hits over the last 4 innings.

The series continues tonight at 6pm with Lotte ace Son Min-han looking to right the ship and John Ennis looking to steal a second victory from Lotte at Sajik Stadium. Son Min-han finished the regular season 12-4 with a 2.97 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. He struck out 80 batters in 179 innings of work. John Ennis has only been with the Lions for about 5 weeks. Ennis has compiled a 1-3 record with a 3.03 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. He struck out 20 in his 29 1/3 innings.

No comments: