Bears Beat Wyverns
Doosan Wins Game 1 of Korean Series
By Jonathan Sanfilippo
Staff Reporter
Choi Jun-suk doesn't play much for the Doosan Bears.
But when he was called upon to pinch hit on Sunday, the reserve slugger took advantage of the opportunity.
Coming to bat with the score tied, Choi belted a two-run double to give the Bears the lead in the sixth inning, and they went on to beat the SK Wyverns 5-2 in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Munhak Stadium in Incheon.
The Bears, who finished in second place behind the Wyverns in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO)'s regular-season standings, built a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series as the teams prepare to play Game 2 Monday.
The turning point of Sunday's game came when the score was tied 1-all with two runners on and two outs in the top of the sixth. Bears manager Kim Kyung-moon decided to replace shortstop Lee Dae-soo, one of the league's best defensive players, by using Choi as a pinch hitter. Choi responded by hitting the two-run double against SK Wyverns ace pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun to give the Bears a 3-1 lead.
Both teams scored a run in the seventh to make the score 4-2, but the Bears' Hong Sung-heon added a solo home run in the top of the ninth to help seal the victory.
Bears starter Matt Randel pitched 5 1/3 innings while allowing one run and three hits to earn the win. He struck out four and walked three.
Lee Jae-woo pitched the final 3 2/3 innings to earn the save. He allowed one run and three hits with four strikeouts and no walks.