7/29 Roundup and News

SK 5, LG 3
W - Eom Jeong-wook (3-2), L - Kim Kwang-su (2-3), S - Song Eun-beom (2)
SK HR - None LG HR - None

The rumor was that this was LG starter Phil Dumatrait's last chance to avoid the "Plane Ticket of Shame." He didn't miss very many bats, but I'm guessing he'll stick around for a few more weeks. Phil tossed 6 1/3 innings(90 pitches, 53 strikes) of two-run ball. He gave up two hits and two walks while striking out zero. The game was tied at three heading into the top of the ninth inning. With a runner on first and one out, SK second baseman Jeong Geun-woo hit a double down the left field line to give SK a 4-3 lead. Jeong advanced to third on a single by outfielder Cho Dong-hwa. Jeong scored on a sac fly by right fielder Ahn Chi-yong. SK, erm, pitcher(he's done everything this year) Song Eun-beom was asked to pitch the ninth and struck out two while recording a 1-2-3 inning for the save.

Nexen 2, Doosan 2 (12)
Nexen HR - None Doosan HR - None

Nexen picked up a pair of first inning runs when first baseman Lee Sung-yong hit a slow bouncer to Doosan second baseman Oh Jae-won. Oh was able to get to the ball, but Lee was safe and Nexen pushed across a run. Oh should have just pocketed the ball, but he tried an awkward throw to first. The ball got away from first baseman Choi Won-seok and Nexen had themselves a 2-0 lead. Doosan tied the game in the seventh inning on a pair of RBI singles from center fielder Lee Jong-wook and shortstop Son Si-hyeon. Nexen starter Kim Seong-tae threw six shutout innings(97 pitches, 69 strikes). Kim allowed only five hits and one walk while striking out eight. Doosan starter Kim Sun-woo also threw six innings(88 pitches, 56 strikes), but he gave up two runs(one earned). Kim allowed eight hits and one walk while striking out two.

Samsung 9, Hanhwa 2
W - Cha Woo-chan (5-1), L - Yang Seung-jin (1-5)
Samsung HR - Cho Dong-chan (7) Hanhwa HR - None

Samsung jumped all over Hanhwa starter Yang Seung-jin and Cha Woo-chan continued to transform from middle relief gas can into a legit starting pitcher. Samsung chased Yang from the game during the third inning. It was a total team effort from the Lions. Eight of the nine Samsung starters either scored or drove in a run. Third baseman Cho Dong-chan lead the charge by going 3-4 with a homer, one RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Shortstop Kim Sang-su and outfielder Lee Yeong-wook both drove in two runs. Cha threw six innings(99 pitches, 71 strikes) of two-run baseball. He gave up eight hits and struck out six.

KIA 12, Lotte 5
W - Yang Hyeong-jong (13-3), L - Lee Jae-gon (3-3)
KIA HR - Lee Yong-gyu 2(2), Chae Jong-beom (3), Choi Hee-seop (16) Lotte HR - None

Things got out of hand for Lotte starter Lee Jae-gon on Thursday. KIA hit four homers and scored ten runs during the third inning. KIA center fielder Lee Yong-gyu hit two homers in the third inning. Lee finished with an epic stat line. He went 4-5 with eight(!) RBIs and two runs scored. Lotte was never able to recover from the ridiculous inning and KIA cruised to an easy W. KIA stater Yang Hyeong-jong tossed 5 2/3 innings(91 pitches, 63 strikes) of three-run baseball. Yang gave up seven hits and two walks while striking out four.