SK 8, KIA 0

SK wins the series, 3-1.
W - Yoon Hee-seong (1-0), L - Yoon Seok-min (1-1)
SK HR - None
KIA HR - None

It was hard to believe that SK journeyman Yoon Hee-seong outpitched KIA ace Yoon Seok-min in a playoff game. He's the 2011 version of Bob Wolcott.

Hee-seong was on a 100 pitch limit. As soon as he hit it, he was pulled. He stuck around for 6 2/3 innings and managed to keep KIA off the scoreboard. Hee-seong gave up six hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out four. He got in a jam in the second inning when he loaded the bases with one out. He got out of it with a weak liner to second and strike out to end the inning.

It was a fairly touching moment when the SK pitching coach came to take him out in the seventh inning. The coach thanked him for his effort and patted him on the head before he left.

KIA ace Yoon Seok-min came back on short rest. It was a defensable decision by the KIA brain trust. KIA was facing an elimination game and wanted to send their best out there to try to force a fifth game. Seok-min looked awesome in game one, but he came out flat in game four.

Yoon Seok-min only stuck around for 2 1/3 innings(56 pitches, 36 strikes) and was charged with three runs. Yoon gave up four hits and two walks while striking out three. He didn't appear to be very sharp on the mound.

All of the damage against Yoon came in the third inning. SK third baseman Choi Jeong hit a double with runners on first and second. Both runners managed to come around to break the scoreless tie. Choi scored on a double from first baseman Park Jeong-kwon and that was the end of Yoon Seok-min.

KIA reliever Han Ki-joo did make another appearance. This time he wasn't left out there for 72 pitches. Han tossed 1 2/3 innings, but ran into trouble and got tagged for two runs on three hits and a walk. At least he has the offseason to rest up now.

The Wyverns picked up some insurance runs later, but everyone on the KIA bench appeared ready to surrender after Yoon left the game.

Choi Jeong lead the SK offense by going 2-3 with a walk, a double, four RBIs and one run scored. Second baseman Jeong Geun-woo was constantly on base for SK's big bats. Jeong went 3-4 with a walk, a HBP(right in the ribs), four runs scored and two steals. Jeong was named the MVP of the series and pocketed 2 million KRW. Don't spend it all at once.

Round two of the KBO playoffs starts on Sunday at 2 PM Busan time at Fortress Sajik. Starters haven't been announced yet, but it will likely be SK's Kim Kwang-hyeon vs. Lotte ace Jang Won-joon.