Tuesday, July 7, 2009

7/3 - 7/5 Weekend Roundup: Hanhwa vs. KIA

7/3 - KIA 9, Hanhwa 1
7/4 - Hanhwa 5, KIA 4
7/5 - Hanhwa 14, KIA 3


Hanhwa extended their losing streak to 12 games on Friday. Wow. This team is just depressing to watch. At least this one was over quickly. KIA scored all 9 runs in a massive rally in the 5th inning. A grand slam from KIA 3rd baseman Kim Sang-hyeon started the scoring and things unraveled quickly from there. KIA starter Aquilino Lopez was able to cruise to victory. Lopez worked 7 innings of 1-run ball. His only mistake came when he allowed a solo homer to Hanhwa slugger, Kim Tae-gyun. Lopez gave up only 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3.

Hanhwa broke the losing streak on Saturday thanks to a 2-run rally in the bottom of the 9th. Hanhwa was an inning away from losing it's 13th straight ballgame, but KIA relievers Yoo Dong-hoon and Han Ki-joo combined to wrestle defeat from the jaws of victory. In the bottom of the 9th, Yoo gave up a lead off single to Hanhwa warm body Yoo Dong-woo. Han Ki-joo was brought in to extinguish the few burning embers of hope for Hanhwa. The first batter Han faced, shortstop Song Kwang-min, hit a comebacker to the mound. Han threw to 2nd for the force out, but the throw was slightly offline and KIA shortstop Lee Hyeon-gon was out of position to throw down to first. Then, Hanhwa catcher Lee Do-hyeong took a 0-1 pitch over the right field fence for a walk off homer. Losing streak...OVER! Ryu Hyeon-jin deserved better than an ND, but I'm sure he won't complain this time. Ryu tossed 7 1/3 innings(122 pitches, 76 strikes) and surrendered 4 runs. Ryu gave up 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 12. 3 of the 8 hits didn't stay in the ballpark.

Inspired by the comeback victory and post-game soju shower, the Hanhwa Eagles showed up in black and orange face paint and spent most of batting practice headbutting each other. The uber-pumped Eagles absolutely obliterated poor KIA starter Seo Jae-wong. Seo was pummeled for 8 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks. WBC hero Kim Tae-gyun lead the charge with a 5 RBI day. Kim finished 4-5 with 2 doubles, a homer and 3 runs scored. Hanhwa starter Yoo Won-sang actually turned in a quality start. Yoo worked 7 innings of 1-run baseball while the Hanhwa offense was laying seige to the Tigers' clubhouse. Yoo allowed only 4 hits and struck out 4. 1 more win and it's a winning streak.

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