5/26 Roundup and News

Seoul Heroes 5, Doosan 4
W - Lee Bo-geun (1-1), L - Goh Chang-seong(2-2), S - Song Shin-yeong (1)

This game featured the debut of a new foreign guy. Doosan fans, meet relief pitcher Juan Cedeno! I hope he has success in the KBO, but it looks like he totally blows.

With a 2-1 lead in the top of the 9th inning, the Seoul Heroes struck for 3 more. It turned out, they would need it. With runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs, Heroes right fielder Song Ji-man tripled to the gap in right/center. Both runs scored and the Heroes held a 4-1 advantage. Song would later score on a double from catcher Kang Jeong-ho. Song had a solid evening. He finished 3-4 with a homer, 3 RBIs and 2 runs score. He was a double away from the cycle. In the bottom of the 9th, Doosan didn't want to go quietly. The Bears O rallied for 3 runs off of the Heroes bullpen. Center fielder Jeong Su-bin lead off with a single and promptly stole second. Right fielder Lim Jae-cheol walked to put batters on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Left fielder Kim Hyeon-su dropped a single into center to score Jeong and make it a 5-2 game, still with 0 outs. Heroes closer Hwang Doo-seong was promptly pulled in favor of Song Shin-yeong. He walked 1st baseman Oh Jae-won to load the bases. Shortstop Son Si-hyeon hit the ball through the left side of the infield and drove in 2 runs to make the score 5-4. Song retired the next 3 batters in order to get out of the jam and earn the save.

SK 3, KIA 2
W - Yoon Gil-hyeon (1-1), L - Yang Hyeon-jong (5-2), S - Jeong Dae-hyeon (6)

Both of KIA's runs came on solo homers in the 2nd inning. Both 3rd baseman Kim Sang-hyeon and 2nd baseman Ahn Chi-yong went deep against SK starter Song Eun-beom. Song was fairly mediocre in this game. He needed 74 pitches to record 13 outs and he didn't make it out of the 4th inning. With KIA holding a 2-1 lead in the 7th inning, the SK offense struck for a 2 run rally. With runners on the corners and 1 out, pinch hitter Park Jeong-hwan hit a double to right to tie the game at 2. KIA reliever Son Yeong-min came on in relief of Yang. He promptly drilled Jeong Geun-woo in the leg to load the bases. The next batter, Cho Dong-hwa hit a grounder to short. The Tigers were able to get the force at 2nd, but Cho beat the throw to first. The go-ahead run was able to score. SK reliever Jeong Dae-hyeon tossed the final 2 innings to earn the save. He allowed 2 hits and 2 walks, but he didn't allow KIA to break through.

Samsung 3, Hanhwa 2 (11)
W - Kwon Hyeok (3-1), L - Brad Thomas (0-3), S - Oh Seung-hwan (13)

With Hanhwa leading 2-1 in the 7th inning, Samsung 1st baseman Chae Tae-in hit a solo homer to tie the game at 2. After trading zeroes for 3 innings, Samsung finally broke through with a run in the top of the 11th. Hanhwa closer Brad Thomas walked Samsung catcher Jin Kab-yong to lead off the inning. Jin was pulled for pinch runner, Lee Yeong-wook. During the next at bat, Lee was able to steal second. With 2 outs in the inning, Lee stole third while Kim Chang-hee drew a walk. With runners on the corners, Thomas threw over to first. He caught Kim napping and the Eagles got him in a run down. During the run down, Lee made a dash for the plate. Brad Thomas tried to throw over to first, but the throw was about 10 feet wide of third base and the go ahead run was able to score easily. In the bottom of the 11th, Kwon Hyeok was removed with 1 out and and Oh Seung-hwan recorded the final 2 outs to earn the save. Lost in this game was Runelvys Hernandez' return to the rotation. Runelvys looks like he's been enjoying the food here while he's been resting. Hernandez looked good on the mound. He tossed 6 innings(75 pitches, 47 strikes) of 2-run baseball against a tough Hanhwa lineup. He allowed only 7 hits while striking out 5.

Lotte 6, LG 0
W - Jang Won-joon (4-4), L - Kim Kwang-su (1-2)

Lotte had a starter throw a complete game shutout. I didn't see that one coming. Jang Won-joon tossed all 9 innings(117 pitches, 76 strikes) and gave the Lotte bullpen a much needed break. He only allowed 6 hit and 2 walks while striking out 6. It felt like he was ahead of every batter and kept LG's thumpers inside the ballpark. Lee Dae-ho drove in 3 runs while going 2-4. I really can't believe that these two teams played a game without hitting a homerun.