SK 2, KIA 0

SK takes a 2-1 series lead.
W - Brian Gordon (1-0), L - Seo Jae-wong (0-1), S - Eom Jeong-wook
SK HR - None
KIA HR - None

SK looked more like the 2010 team that won the KBO title last night than the team that struggled during the summer.

SK combined solid pitching with intelligent defense and just enough offense to take a 2-1 series lead over the KIA Tigers.

SK starter Brian Gordon threw 5 1/3 shutout innings(82 pitches, 53 strikes). Gordon gave up only two hits and one walk while striking out one. SK relievers Park Hee-su, Jeong Dae-hyeong and Jeong Woo-ram each earned a hold while giving up only two hits in 2 2/3 innings of combined relief work. SK closer Eom Jeong-wook walked a batter and struck out one during a scoreless ninth inning for the save.

KIA starter Seo Jae-wong pitched in and out of trouble for most of his 5 1/3 innings(72 pitches, 44 strikes) of work. Seo gave up five hits and hit two batters while striking out two.

Seo ran into trouble in the sixth inning. Seo gave up an infield single to SK second baseman Jeong Geun-woo. Jeong went to second on a sac bunt from left fielder Park Jae-sang. Choi Jeong was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game to put runners on first and second with no outs.

Seo was lifted for reliever Shim Dong-seop. Shim promptly walked first baseman Park Jeong-kwon to load the bases. Shim was yanked for reliever Yoo Dong-hoon. SK DH Ahn Chi-yong singled back through the middle. Two runners scored on the play to break the scoreless tie.

Park Jeong-kwon went 3-3(all singles) with a walk and a stolen base.

There was a scary moment in the seventh inning. KIA first baseman was on first base with left fielder Kim Sang-hyeon at the plate. Kim hit a bouncer to first. Choi was forced at second, but put his hands up to protect his face from the throw back to first. The ball slammed into Choi's fingers and he crumpled to the ground, clutching his hand. The play was so fast that at first it looked like Choi was hit in the face. Replays showed that the ball hit his fingers...hard. The fear was that Choi broke a few fingers, but he stayed in the game and appeared to be able to play.

The series continues Wednesday night at 6 PM Gwangju time. SK will try to end the first round with Yoon Hee-sang on the mound. Yoon went 3-1 in 46 2/3 innings over 20 apperances. Yoon owns a 4.82 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He struck out 27 and walked 12. Yoon will be opposed by KIA ace Yoon Seok-min. Yoon is coming back on short rest after an impressive complete game victory in Game 1. Yoon went 17-5 with a save in 172 1/3 innings. Yoon had a 2.45 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He struck out 178 and walked 44.