By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
The SK Wyverns grabbed a 4-3 victory over the Japan Series Champion Seibu Lions in the Konami Cup Asia Series at Tokyo Dome Thursday.
The Lions laid down the first marker, scoring at the top of the first inning. While lefty Kim Kwang-hyun and catcher Jung Sang-ho, who replaced veteran Park Kyung-oan, were struggling to control the tempo, the Lions leadoff Shogo Akada hit a double and Hiroshi Hrao produced an RBI-single.
But then the Wyverns slugger Park Jae-hong tied the game by hitting a solo homer at the bottom of the second.
The Lions starter Kazuyuki Hoashi, who allowed only one home run with six strikeouts, began to wilt, allowing the Wyverns in to score.
Leadoff in the fourth inning, Lee Jin-young, hit a single and Lee Jae-won hit a two-run homer.
As the game wore on, Hoashi allowed another walk and single and Park Jae-sang hit an RBI-single to give the Wyverns a 4-1 lead.
The Lions, trailing the Wyverns by three in the fifth inning, produced two runs to claw the game back to 4-3.
But there was to be no way back.
The Wyverns relievers Yoon Kil-hyun, Jung Woo-ram and Lee Seung-ho didn't allow a score for 4 1/3 innings.
Catcher, Park Kyung-oan, came to the ground at the top of eighth to finish the game.
In the opening game of the Konami Cup, the Uni -President Lions of Taiwan defeated Tianjin Lions of China 7-4.
The Wyverns play against the Tianjin Lions at Tokyo Dome Stadium today.
After the four participating teams complete their round-robin matches, the top two will contest the final Sunday.
yc@koreatimes.co.kr