Monday, July 13, 2009

7/10 - 7/12 Weekend Roundup: Samsung vs. SK

7/10 - Samsung 7, SK 2
7/11 - Samsung 5, SK 3
7/12 - PPD, rain

Friday night's game was actually a fairly tense, well-played affair...until Samsung busted the game open with a 4-run rally in the 7th. Samsung held a slim 2-1 lead heading into the top of the 7th. SK ace Kim Kwang-hyeon was a victim of his own pitch count and was pulled after the 5th inning. Kim threw 98 pitches, 65 of which were strikes. Kim allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6. In the 7th inning, SK turned to Lee Seung-ho to keep the game close. He blew it. With runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out, Samsung outfielder Park Han-yi drilled a pitch back up the middle for a basehit. Both runs scored on the play and Samsung took a 4-1 advantage. Lee hung a breaking ball to Samsung left fielder Choi Hyeong-woo and paid for it. Choi put the ball over the right field fence for a 2-run jack. SK offered up a fake rally in the bottom of the 7th, but never really threatened Samsung's lead. Samsung starting pitcher Lee Woo-seon turned in a great effort against the defending champs. Lee threw 5 1/3 innings(88 pitches, 53 strikes) of 1-run baseball. He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.

Saturday's game was almost identical to Friday's. The only difference was that until the 6th inning, no one scored. All 8 runs scored on Saturday came in the 6th or later. Samsung starter Yoon Seong-hwan and SK starter Song Eun-beom both had dueling shutouts until Song faltered in the 6th. Yoon ended up throwing 6 shutout innings(104 pitches, 72 strikes) and earning the W. Yoon gave up only 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7. Song threw equally as well, until he was victimized by the long ball in the 6th and 7th innings. Samsung outfielder Kang Bong-gyu broke the scoreless tie with a 2-run homer in the 6th inning. In the 7th, Samsung infielder Cho Dong-chan delivered a solo shot that would chase Song from the game. Kang would also add a solo shot in the 8th inning that would be the difference on the scoreboard. His 8th inning solo blast was his 3rd homer in the last 2 days. The SK bullpen tried awfully hard to blow the game, but SK could never break through with a big rally. Samsung reliever Jeong Hyeon-wook tossed 2 innings to earn the save.

Sunday's game was washed out.

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