Wednesday, September 21, 2011

9/20 Roundup and News

According to My Daily, the 11 players who won their military waiver at the Asian Games have mixed feelings. My guess would be "joy" mixed with "relief."

From Osen, Nexen Heroes starter Shim Su-chang's goal for the season is 10 quality starts. Why not 20?

Sports Kyeonghyang takes a look at LG missing the playoffs for the eighth straight season.

Osen also has a feature on SK pitcher Kim Kwang-hyeon. It sounds like he's saying the team is more important than his future and he has no plans to alter his delivery, but I may be mistaken.

Samsung 6, Doosan 5 (11)
W - Jeong Hyeon-wook, L - Fernando Nieve (2-6)
Samsung HR - Park Han-yi (4)
Doosan HR - Lim Jae-cheol (1), Son Si-hyeon (3)

Samsung tied this game at five in the bottom of the seventh when right fielder Park Han-yi blasted a two-run homer off of Doosan reliever Lim Tae-hoon. Lim had a normal start to the season, but some comments about an announcer earned him a demotion to the Futures League in late May. Doosan basically left him there for more than three months until recalling him last week. This was Lim's second KBO appearance since May 22nd.

The score remained tied until the bottom of the 11th. Doosan reliever Fernando Nieve walked DH Kang Bong-gyu to start the inning. Kang was quickly replaced by pinch runner Kang Myeong-guh. Kang advanced on a bunt from backup infielder Son Ju-in. Nieve put a pitch in the dirt and it bounced away from catcher Yong Deok-han. Kang raced to third and made the turn. He sprinted toward home and dove at the plate. The ball made it to Nieve, but he appeared to miss the tag and Kang was ruled safe. This triggered a hissy fit from Nieve that ended with him tossing the ball near the umpire's feet. This also triggered celebration from the Samsung bench.

Lotte 5, SK 4
W - Lim Kyeong-wan (4-3), L - Song Eun-beom (8-8), S - Kim Sa-yul (18)
Lotte HR - None
SK HR - None

This one was tied at three heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Lotte put runners on second and third after some questionable play by center fielder Park Jae-hong allowed Hong Seong-heun to double. Catcher Kang Min-ho was intentionally put on to load the bases for pinch hitter Park Jong-yoon. Park hit a sac fly to right to plate the go-ahead run. Lotte added some insurance when a run scored on a fielder's choice from third baseman Hwang Jae-gyun.

Another poorly played ball from SK right fielder Park Jeong-kwon allowed Lotte outfielder Hwang Seong-yong to triple with one out in the seventh. Third base was as far as Hwang would get because Lee Dae-ho was intentionally put on and Hong Seong-heun grounded into a double play to end the threat.

SK ace Kim Kwang-hyeon made his triumphant return from the Futures League and pitched the eighth inning. Kim recorded a scoreless inning, but some mediocre defense and bad luck forced him to stick around longer than he wanted. Kim gave up a hit and two walks and threw a wild pitch, but somehow kept the Giants off the scoreboard.

SK threatened in the top of the ninth. With a runner on second and one out, pinch hitter Choi Dong-su doubled down the left field line to cut the lead to 5-4. Lotte closer Kim Sa-yul gave up a walk and a single to load the bases. The only thing that kept SK from scoring on the base hit was a terrific deke from Lotte right fielder Hwang Seong-yong. Kim Sa-yul battled the next two batters and managed to get a pair of lazy fly balls to end the threat and the game.

This win gives Lotte sole posession of second place.

LG 2, Nexen 0
W - Ben Jukich (10-6), L - Shim Su-chang (2-11), S - Son Shin-yeong (18)
LG HR - Lee Taek-geun (3)
Nexen HR - None

LG starter Ben Jukich threw eight shutout innings(120 pitches, 77 strikes) while earning his 10th win on the season. Jukich gave up seven hits and four walks while striking out five.

Nexen's Shim Su-chang threw well, but was stuck with yet another loss on his record. Shim tossed seven innings(103 pitches, 61 strikes), but was tagged for both LG runs(one earned). Shim surrendered four hits and two walks while striking out seven.

LG first baseman Lee Taek-geun broke a scoreless tie in the third inning with a solo homer. The Twins added a second run in the fourth inning when Nexen first baseman Park Byeong-ho bobbled a ball that would have ended the inning. Instead of walking to the dugout, LG's Lee Byeong-gyu walked in from third to score the second LG run.

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