8/31 Roundup and News

LG 6, Nexen 5
W - Lee Dong-hyeon (6-1), L - Kim Seong-hyeon (6-7), S - Kim Kwang-su (3)
LG HR - None Nexen HR - None

This game was actually as close as the score would indicate. The game was tied at five heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. LG second baseman Park Kyeong-su lead off the inning by dumping a single into left field. Park advanced to second on a sac bunt from outfielder Lee Taek-geun. LG catcher Cho In-seong poked a single into right and Park was able to race around third to score the go ahead run. LG relievers Lee Sang-yeol and Kim Kwang-su combined to throw a scoreless ninth. Kim was able to get the final outs and earn the vulture save. This game was all about the table setters. LG's first two batters, DH Park Yong-taek and Park Kyeong-su, combined to go 4-8 with two walks, four runs scored and three stolen bases. Nexen's first two batters, second baseman Kim Il-kyeong and third baseman Kim Min-woo, went 5-8 with two walks, two runs scored, two RBIs and one stolen base.

KIA 7, Samsung 5
W - Aquilino Lopez (4-9), L - Jang Won-sam (12-5), S - Ahn Yeong-myeong (3)
KIA HR - Kim Sang-hyeon (19) Samsung HR - Shin Myeong-cheol (9)

Samsung had a chance to cut the SK Wyverns' lead to two games, but they choked it away with some truly horrific pitching. Samsung starter Jang Won-sam was lit up for five runs during his 4 2/3 innings of work. The Samsung bullpen didn't do much better. KIA was able to extend it's lead with runs in both the seventh and ninth innings to effectively put the game out of reach. Samsung could threaten and they managed to pull within one run of the Tigers, but they could never break through. KIA DH Kim Sang-hyeon torched Lions pitching by going 3-4 with a HBP, a double, a homer, five RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base. KIA starter Aquilino Lopez stuck around long enough to earn the W. Lopez gave up four runs during his seven innings of work(113 pitches, 68 strikes). Lopez gave up six hits and three walks while striking out five.