Wednesday, September 16, 2009

9/15 Roundup and News

The KT gives us a roundup of sorts for milestones and a few team notes. I didn't know that KIA ace Yoon Seok-min was in such bad shape. We could have a Korean Series missing both Yoon and SK ace Kim Kwang-hyeon. This season is getting less and less compelling as we limp towards the playoffs.

Suspended and released outfielder Jung Soo-keun has called it a career. No word if getting wasted and brawling are in his future plans, but I have to think they will be.

Aaron at the EWC broke a pair of news stories(well, broke as in told English speakers about them). First, Good-bye Asian Series, Hello Asian Championship. I guess Taiwan and China aren't invited any more. I would have liked them to at least play a 3 game series instead of a single game. What's the point? Also, to the surprise of no one, the KBO is trying to avoid paying the national team. This is a great way to keep them all from jumping to the NPB or MLB in the future! The thinnest baseball book ever written could be titled "Sound Planning, Sensible Future: The KBO Way."

On to the roundup...

SK 8, LG 5
W - Jeon Byeong-doo (8-4), L - Kim Kwang-su (4-7)

Both starting pitchers were thumped pretty well last night, but SK reliever Jeon Byeong-doo came to the rescue. Jeon tossed 4 scoreless innings in relief. He was perfect. Jeon faced 12 batters and retired all 12 in a row. He recorded 5 outs via the strikeout. SK shortstop Na Ju-hwan and catcher Jeong Sang-ho both hit solo homers. Na finished the evening 3-4 with a double, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored. Jeong ended up 2-4 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored. SK 3rd baseman Choi Jeong is catching fire right when his team needs him the most. Although if he had shown up in the previous 4 months, they might have a lead on KIA instead of looking up at them in the standings. Choi went 2-5 with a homer, 2 RBIs and 1 run scored. Jeong hit a solo homer in the 3rd inning and added an RBI single in the top of the 9th to ice the game.

KIA 4, Seoul Heroes 3
W - Son Yeong-min (5-2), L - Oh Jae-yeong (1-2), S - Yoo Dong-hoon (20)

Rick Guttormson and Aquilino Lopez both need a couple weeks off. The massive pitch counts these two have racked up are starting to take their toll on arms and stat lines. Rick threw 5 innings(87 pitches, 52 strikes), but gave up 3 runs. Guttormson allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. With the score tied at 3 in the top of the 8th, KIA mounted a rally. With a runner on 1st and one out, KIA 1st baseman Choi Hee-seop ripped a double down the right field line. The runner was able to score from 1st and give KIA a 4-3 advantage. The RBI was Choi's 2nd of the evening. Heroes DH Cliff Brumbaugh also drove in a pair. KIA closer Yoo Dong-hoon recorded the final 4 outs in order for the save.

Hanhwa 13, Samsung 7
W - Ahn Yeong-myeong (11-7), L - Jeong Hyeon-wook (8-5)

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Sometimes I think you WANT to fail. Hanhwa starter Ahn Yeong-myeong and Samsung starter Brandon Knight were equally effective. Both tossed 5 innings and both allowed 4 runs. The difference last night was that Samsung bullpen crapped all over itself, while the Hanhwa bullpen merely sharted its pants. The usually reliable Jeong Hyeon-wook faced 5 batters and failed to record an out. He gave up 4 runs on 4 base hits and 1 walk. Yuck. Samsung warm body Cho Hyeon-geun managed to record 2 outs, but also gave up 4 runs. He managed to do it with only 3 hits and 1 walk. Hanhwa slugger Kim Tae-gyun appeared to be in mid-season form. Too bad we've only got about 10 more days of regular season baseball. Kim finished 3-6 with a homer, 5 RBIs and 3 runs scored.

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