5/4 Roundup and News

LG 6, Doosan 5
W - Bong Jung-geun (3-3), L - Lim Tae-hoon (1-1), S - Shinya Okamoto (7)
LG HR - Oh Ji-won (3) Doosan HR - None

All the runs scored in this game came in the first three innings. From the 4th to the 9th it was nothing but zeroes. Doosan held a 5-3 lead in the 3rd inning, but LG shortstop Oh Ji-won clubbed a 3-run homer to give LG a 6-5 lead and that was were the game would stay. LG starter Bong Jung-geun was roughed up early for 5 runs in the first two innings, but he hung around and managed to throw 7 innings(106 pitches, 69 strikes) and earn the W. Dr. Bong allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and 1 hit batsman while striking out 3.

SK 3, Nexen 0
W - Ken Kadokura (7-0), L - Geum Min-cheol (3-4), S - Lee Seung-ho (12)
SK HR - None Nexen HR - None

Ken Kadokura could be making a historic run with SK this year. He's the odds on favorite for the TSOKB Pitcher of the Year award and 2nd place isn't close right now. He's 7-0, but that's not the exciting part. He has a 1.67 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He's also leading the league with 49 K's in 43 innings. Last night, Kadokura tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings(107 pitches, 63 strikes). He gave up 2 hits and 4 walks while striking out 10. SK broke a scoreless tie in the 2nd inning on an RBI single from shortstop Kim Yeon-hoon. SK added two more runs on a 2 RBI single from center fielder Kim Kang-min in the 2nd inning. SK closer Lee Seung-ho recorded the final four outs for the save.

Lotte 9, Samsung 3
W - Jang Won-joon (3-2), L - Cha Woo-chan (0-1)
Lotte HR - Karim Garcia 2(9), Son Ah-seop (2), Kang Min-ho (4) Samsung HR - Oh Jeong-bok (3)

Lotte rode the long ball, a solid effort from starter Jang Won-joon and a pair of perfect innings from relief pitchers to victory on Tuesday. Karim Garcia could make a run at 40 homers this year. The Mexican national blasted two more in Daegu and finished 2-5 with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Lotte left fielder Son Ah-seop continued his recent tear with a 2-3, 3 RBI evening. Son clubbed a solo homer in the 6th inning to give Lotte a 7-3 lead. Jang Won-joon looked like an ace against the Samsung offense. Jang tossed 7 innings(112 pitches, 66 strikes) of 3-run baseball. Jang allowed only 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9. Samsung looked really ragged in the field. There were two lazy fly balls that were totally misplayed by Samsung fielders. Stuff like this shouldn't be happening to Samsung. There is no reason for veteran infielders like Shin Myeong-cheol or Park Jin-man not to communicate with their outfield. One of these plays is embarrassing. Two is ridiculous. The Hanhwa Eagles must have watched highlights last night and said, "Woah, glad we're not those guys!"

KIA 8, Hanhwa 1
W - Yoon Seok-min (2-1), L - Yoo Won-seong (2-2)
KIA HR - Choi Hee-seop 2(6) Hanhwa HR - Choi Jin-haeng (6)

KIA ace Yoon Seok-min only needed to stick around for 5 innings(89 pitches, 54 strikes) to earn the W on Tuesday. Yoon gave up only 1 run on 1 hit and 3 walks while striking out 6. Yoon and three KIA relievers combined to limit Hanhwa to only two hits on the evening. The Tigers' offense was able to score in each of the first 6 innings. Choi Hee-seop went deep twice and finished 2-4 with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored. KIA leadoff hitter/center fielder Lee Yong-gyu went 2-3 with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored.