7/1 Roundup and News

The KBO is going to ban computers, cell phones and electronic devices from the dugouts next year. If anything, I'd go the other way and make sure that every team was using the latest technology to gain every advantage. It sounds like the two-time defending champs have been using more tech than the other teams.

Lotte 6, LG 4
W - Kang Yeong-sik (2-2), L - Jeong Chan-heon, S - Jon Adkins (14)

The resurgent Giants were actually losing 4-1 in the 5th inning when they struck for a 3 runs. With two outs and the bases loaded, 3rd baseman Lee Dae-ho(.280/.360/.487) singled up the middle to plate a pair of runs. A wild pitch would score outfielder Lee In-guh(.286/.351/.419) and tie the game at 4. The score would remained tied until the 8th inning. Lotte right fielder Karim Garcia(.226/.313/.444) crushed a 2-run homer off LG reliever Jeong Chan-heon to give Lotte a 6-4 advantage. Lotte closer Jon Adkins(3.24 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) tossed a 1-2-3 9th to earn the save. LG 1st baseman Roberto Petagine(.349/.478/.639) was one of the few bright spots for the Twins. Petagine clubbed a 3-run homer in the 1st inning. Big Bobby finished 1-4.

Seoul Heroes 12, Doosan 7
W - Ma Il-yeong (3-6), L - Kim Seong-bae (0-2)

I actually got to watch most of this at the convience store near my apartment. They set up TV's and plastic furniture outside and, for some reason, we had to watch Doosan and the Heroes. I guess the cashier was a big Bears fan. Either way, the Heroes offense was a lot of fun to watch last night.

The Heroes held a slim 5-4 lead in the 7th inning, but they rallied for 4 runs in the 7th and 3 more in the 8th to put the game out of reach. Doosan did mount a fake rally off of whatever zombie the Heroes used to finish the game, but it wasn't nearly enough. Heroes 1st baseman Kang Byeong-sik(.276/.330/.471) lead the charge with a 3-4, 5 RBI night. Kang hit 2 doubles, homered and scored a pair. Heroes left fielder Doug Clark(.287/.372/.452) went 2-4 with 2 solo homers from the lead off spot. 2nd baseman Kim Il-kyeong(.297/.355/.355) finished the night 4-5 with 3 runs scored and 3 stolen bases. Heroes starting pitcher Ma Il-yeong(6.15 ERA, 1.65 WHIP) was good enough to win last night. Ma tossed 5 2/3 innings(103 pitches, 57 strikes) of 2-run baseball. Ma gave up 4 hits, 4 walks and 1 hit batsman while striking out 1. Doosan MVP cantidate Kim Hyeon-su(.373/.459/.619) was one of the few bright spots for the Bears. Kim went 2-3 with a solo homer, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored.

SK 10, Hanhwa 2
W - Goh Hyo-joon (6-6), L - Ahn Yeong-myeong (6-5)

SK should have some kind of handicap when they play Hanhwa. Like only having 8 guys or no gloves or the pitcher has to throw softball style. Hanhwa starter Ahn Yeong-myeong(5.29 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) was predictably pummelled. Ahn allowed 8 runs during his 3 1/3 innings of "work." Most of the damage came via the homer. In the 3rd inning shortstop Na Ju-hwan(.287/.368/.436) hit a solo homer and right fielder Park Jae-hong(.256/.348/.430) launched a 3-run bomb. In the 4th inning, catcher Jeong Sang-ho(.337/.394/.565) hit a solo homer. SK starting pitcher Goh Hyo-joon(3.13 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) tossed 7 innings(100 pitches, 63 strikes) of shutout baseball. He allowed 3 hits, 3 walks and 1 hit batsman while striking out 8.

Samsung 5, KIA 4
W - Cha Woo-chan (5-4), L - Rick Guttormson (7-3), S - Oh Seung-hwan (18)

KIA starter Rick Guttormson(3.02 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) ran into a bit of trouble against the Lions. The foreign right-hander threw 5 innings(96 pitches, 56 strikes) and surrendered 5 runs. Rick gave up 7 hits, 2 walks and 1 hit batsman while striking out 1. With the score tied at 2 in the 5th inning, Samsung 3rd baseman Park Seok-min(.255/.384/.564) stepped to the plate with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. He took a Guttormson pitch over the wall in center field for a 3-run homer. Park's blast gave Samsung a 5-2 advantage. KIA would score 2 runs in the top of the 6 thanks to a 2-run homer from 3rd baseman Kim Sang-hyeon(.269/.339/.484), but that was as close as the Tigers would ever get. Samsung closer Oh Seung-hwan(4.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) recorded the final 4 outs to record the save. He gave up a pair of hits, but struck out 3. KIA shortstop Lee Hyeon-gon(.251/.318/.319) padded his batting average by going 4-4 with 4 singles, 0 runs scored and 0 RBIs.